1. Line
Mr. Knutson

2. Bell Activity
Look around the room and write down all of the different lines that you see.

3. Line Lines exist everywhere One uses lines to: Write words
Write numbers
Create symbols
Draw pictures
Create art

4. Line
Definition: Line is an element of art that is the path of a moving point through space.

5. (larger image on next slide)
How Artists Use Line
To lead the viewer’s eye through a work of art.
When one sees a line the eyes usually follow it.
Grant Wood. The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere Oil on Masonite. 30 x 40”
(larger image on next slide)

7. Line Has width as well as length
Width is usually very small compared to length.
Generally thought of as being one-dimensional.
It’s one dimension is length

8. Dimension
Dimension is the amount of space an object takes up in one direction.
One dimensional: Objects that have either length or width, but not both.
Two dimensional: Objects that have height and width (i.e. a painting).
Three dimensional: Objects that have height, width, and depth (i.e. a sculpture).

9. Lines are Everywhere Many different lines exist in nature
They look like lines because their length is their most important dimension

10. Some Lines That We Think We See in Nature Do Not Exist
Black lines around this flower do not exist.
The shapes of the pedals create an implied line.

11. Implied Line
A series of points that the viewer’s eyes automatically connect.
Lines that are suggested rather than real lines

12. A line that shows or creates the outer edges of a shape
Outline
A line that shows or creates the outer edges of a shape

13. Kinds of Lines
Vertical
Horizontal
Diagonal
Curved
Zigzag

14. Vertical Lines
Move straight up and down
Do not lean

15. Horizontal Lines
Parallel to the horizon
Do not slant

16. Diagonal Lines Diagonal Lines Slant.
Somewhere between vertical and horizontal lines.

17. Zigzag Lines Made from diagonal lines Form angles
Change directions suddenly

18. Curved Lines
Change direction gradually.
Wiggly
Circles
Spirals

19. Line Variation Length: Can be short or long
Width: Can be thick or thin
Texture: Can be rough or smooth
Direction: Can move in any direction
Degree of Curve:
Gradual or not at all
Wavy
Spiral

20. Line and Value Value: Describes the lightness or darkness of a color.
Hatching: Technique of using lines for shading.
Cross-Hatching: Technique of using crossed lines for shading.

22. Hendrick Goltzius' The Massacre of the Innocent

23. Claude Mellan's portrait of Michel de Marolles

24. Line Movement Vertical Lines Makes objects look taller
Vertical lines on wallpaper can make ceilings look taller
Vertical lines on clothing can make shorter people look taller and heavy people look thinner

25. Line Movement Vertical Lines Static or Inactive (appear to be at rest)
Express stability
Artists use vertical lines to show:
Dignity
Poise
Stiffness
formality

26. Edward Hopper. Early Sunday Morning. 1930. Oil on Canvas. 35x60”

27. Line Movement Horizontal Lines Also Static
Artists use horizontal lines to express feelings of:
Peace
Rest
Quiet
Stability
Horizontal lines give a feeling of permanence or solidarity
Because we stand on solid horizontal ground, horizontal lines make us feel
Content
Relaxed
Calm

28. Line Movement Curved lines
Express activity (because they change direction)
Type and direction of curve dictates the amount of activity expressed.
Less curve = more calm
Spirals are hypnotic – they draw the eye to the center

29. Line Movement
Curved lines often used in decorative arts to suggest a feeling of luxury.
Albert Raymond Paley. Portal Gates Forged steel, brass, copper x 72 x 4”

30. Line Movement Diagonal Lines Express:
Instability
Tension
Activity
Excitement
Can at times make viewer feel uncomfortable
Appear to be either rising or falling

31. Thomas Hart Benton. Country Dance. Oil on canvas. 30 x 25”

32. The exception…
When two diagonals meet and seem to support one another, the appear stable.

33. Line Movement Zigzag Lines Create confusion Extremely active
Evoke feelings of:
Excitement
Nervousness

34. Line Movement Zigzag Lines
Amount of intensity determined by direction and predictability of the zigzag

35. Gesture Drawing A gesture is an expressive movement.
Purpose is to capture the feeling of motion
Little detail
Quickly drawn

36. Calligraphic Drawing Calligraphy means beautiful handwriting
Often associated with oriental artwork
Same brushstrokes used in writing are used in Chinese and Japanese painting
Characterized by changes in thickness of lines

37. Gu Mei. Orchids and Rocks. 1644. Ming dynasty. Detail of handscroll
Gu Mei. Orchids and Rocks Ming dynasty. Detail of handscroll. Ink on paper /8 x 67-1/4”

38. Contour Drawing Defines edges or surface ridges of an object.
Developed form by form (detail by detail)
Show (represent) form by the use of line
Subtle, overlapping planes

39. References http://0.tqn.com/d/arthistory/1/0/i/f/pa_neh_05.jpg