1. Elements and Principles
of Art and Design
Elements: Line
To show
Shape, Form, Space

2. Seven Elements of Art
Line
Shape
Form
Value
Space
Texture
Color

3. Elements of Art = Ingredients to a recipe Need quality ingredients for quality results Follow the recipe: Can’t throw everything in Principles of Design = Recipe The Principles are how the Elements are organized and combined

4. LINE: The most fundamental, simplest,
universal element of art.
Literal Definition: A mark that spans a
distance between two points (or the path
of a moving point), taking any form along
the way; A moving dot.
Definition as an Element of Art:
The use of various marks, outlines and implied
lines in artwork and design, most often used to
define shape in two-dimensional work.

5. What is Line Used For? Line can be used to show movement, shape,
form, value, space/perspective, gesture, expression/emotion, etc.
“Drawing is like taking
a line for a walk..”

6. Line Variation: Different kinds of lines: Line Directions:
Vary in direction, length, width/weight, texture
Line Directions:
Horizontal, Vertical, Diagonal, Zig Zag (Combination of diagonal lines),
Curved (change direction gradually, can have different degrees)

7. Line Weight: Thickness or thinness of a line:
Varying the line weight makes objects more 3D
and interesting, adds value, dimension, weight, and emphasis

8. Line Variation, Direction, Weight:

9. Implied Line:
The path that the viewer's eye takes as it follows shapes, colors, and form along a path, but may not be continuous or
physically connected.

10. Expressive Line:
Line that shows a certain mood, feeling, or emotion through variation, direction, weight, implication,etc.

11. Contour: Line, Outline, or Outside Edge Blind contour drawing:
A contour drawing that is drawn
while looking at the object being drawn
without ever looking at the paper.
Eyes remain on the object at all times. The eyes slowly follow the contours of the object being drawn.
Every line, shape, and texture that is seen must be translated directly through the eyes, hand, pencil, and onto the paper. Pencil should never leave the paper.
Exercise of the right brain: Visual, creative, objective, observational

12. An oval that represents a circular shape at an angle.
Ellipse (in Art)
Elements: Line, Shape, Form
An oval that represents a circular
shape at an angle.
An ellipse can have a thickness of anywhere between a line and a circle

13. Cross Contour Elements: Line, Shape, Form, Texture
Using line to show the form of a shape
Ellipses and ellipse-like marks
and measurements are used

14. Cross Contour

15. 1 pt. and 2 pt. Perspective Always measure your angles
Elements: Line, Shape, Form, Space
Always measure your angles
Find your vanishing point(s)
Your vanishing
points should both
rest on your horizon
line (eye level)

16. 1 pt. Perspective: 1 vanishing point

17. 2 pt. Perspective: 1 vanishing point

18. Preview: Hatching and Cross-Hatching:
Using line to create form and value. (This is also part of the elements of shape, form, value, and texture)

19. Tips for gesture drawing:
Elements: Line, Shape, Form
Principles: Movement
Capturing the essence
Not what it is, but what it is doing
Looseness: A “controlled scribble”
Tips for gesture drawing:
Begin with one directional line for the spine
Find direction of shoulders and hips
Loose drawing; use whole arm, relax
Draw the whole figure at once
Imagine that you are the model
Draw from the inside out
Start lightly, then gradually build darker
Darker strokes show weight / tension

20. Portrait of
Igor Stravinsky By
Pablo Picasso
(Spain)
1920

21. Rhinoceros By Albrecht Dürer (German Artist, Mathematician, Theorist)
Drawing
& Woodcut

22. Studies for the
Libyan Sibyl
By Michelangelo
Italy (Renaissance)
1508

23. New City By John Hultberg
Oil on Canvas America 1957

24. Classic Landscape by Charles Sheeler
Oil on Canvas America 1931

25. Art History Questions (Write these questions and answers in your sketchbook):
Where do you see implied line? How is the implied line working?
Where do you see different line weight? Where is the heaviest line weight, and why is it there?
What other types of line do you see? Where, and how?
Where do you see movement? Where does it start, where does it go, and where does it end?
What kind of mood or emotion do you get from this image? Why do you think that you get this reaction from this piece?
Individual Question: Which of these artworks is your favorite, and why?

26. Reflection Questions (Write these questions and answers in your sketchbook):
What was your favorite activity in the Line Unit? Why?
What is something new that you learned in this unit that you didn’t know before?
Which activity did you most successfully use your right brain? How do you know?
What was something that you struggled with during this unit? How did you overcome this obstacle?
What are your suggestions for me?

27. Line Unit Activities
Left Brain vs. Right Brain
Drawing Symbols vs. Drawing from Observation
Contour
Blind Contour Drawing
Expressive Line
Line Direction & Variation
Implied Line
Line Weight
Ellipses
Cross-Contour
2-Point Perspective
Facial Proportions
Gesture Drawing
How line is used by various artists