Line
An Element of Design
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Descriptive Line
• Lines created with a variety of tools that help
us understand what we are looking at; can
be outlines, contour lines, single lines or
hatching.
Outline
Lines with little variation that describe the outer edges of
shapes which appear flat. Most basic type of
descriptive line.
Contour Line
Lines that define the outer edges of forms and surfaces. Unlike
outlines, they vary in darkness and thickness.
Hatching
Shading using closely spaced, parallel lines used to suggest light
and shadow.
Crosshatching
Shading created by crossed parallel lines.
Implied Lines
Lines that are indicated indirectly in artworks at edges where two shapes meet,
where a form ends and the space around it begins, or by positioning several objects
or figures in a row.
Edge
Where one shape ends and another begins,
resulting in implied lines.
Closure
The tendency to complete
partial forms or shapes by
seeing lines that do not exist.
Lines of Sight
Implied lines suggest by the direction in which
figures in a picture are looking, or from the
observer’s eye to the object being looked at.
Can you find four lines of sight
in the artwork?
Expressive Line
• Lines that are produced to express an
idea, mood, or quality (e.g. graceful,
nervous, delicate, aggressive, etc.)
Abstract Line
• Lines found in very abstract and
nonobjective artworks which do not
describe anything. They are meant to be
seen only as line.
Wire Sculpture
Alexander Calder
1898-1976
Calder was an American
sculptor and artist most
famous for inventing the
mobile. In addition to
mobile sculpture,
Alexander Calder also
created paintings, toys,
wire sculptures, and
designed carpets.
Here are some examples of his work.
Goldfish Bowl
Caracas
Spider
Portrait of Miro
Calder in his studio
Art Work Sites
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http://www.cs.ubc.ca/~heidrich/Projects/Hatching/beeCrossHatch.png
http://www.handprint.com/HP/WCL/IMG/kanizsa.gif
http://www.pardueduran.com/DuranMonumentValley.jpg
http://library.thinkquest.org/22450/media/artistpics/Munch2.jpg
http://www.geocities.com/stephaniemcmullen/images/straigh1.jpg