LINES
What is a line?
A line is a visual element
of an image,
Similar to dots, textures,
colours and shapes.
A line is a combination of a
series of dots that are
continuous, with an exact
distance between each dot.
It is the graphic representation
of a dot in motion.
Types of lines
A geometric line
We must use special Technical Drawing
instruments to draw a geometric line
A graphic line
A graphic line is freer and can be made
with or without special equipment.
Pablo Picasso (1881–1973)
Woman with Yellow Hair, December 1931
The line can have different
shapes and dimensions…
long
short
Straight
Curved
broken
wavy
thick
thin
continuous
discontinuous
All these types of lines transmit
graphic messages, ideas and
feelings.
Artists show their personalities
through the line. It´s their
personal and non-transferable
mark.
The graphic styles
of different artists
Kandinsky- Composition VIII (1923)
Picasso – Maternity (1963)
Giacometti
Goya - El Asno Literato (1796)
Ingres- Odalisque (1825)
Graphic and
artistic qualities of
lines
The line has the expressive and
symbolic power to transmit
concepts and sensations.
The way lines are drawn on paper can
allow a drawing to communicate
multiple ideas and feelings.
Vertical lines are
lines that go
straight up. These
lines express
strength,
elegance and
spirituality, too.
Mondrian- Bosque (1912)
Fernand Khnopff - At fosset under the fir trees, 1894
• Horizontal lines transmit peacefulness,
serenity, repose and stability.
Ferdinannd Hodler - El lago Léman visto desde
Chexbres, 1905
Inclined lines
denote
movement,
decision,
descent or
tragedy.
Egon Schiele - Arboles otoñales, 1911
Curved lines
produce a
feeling of
movement and
dynamism.
Archipenko- Coquette (s.XX)
Straight lines suggest rigidity,
constancy and precision.
Luis Castellanos arquitectura y árbol,
1935
Broken, curved
and radial lines
transmit a feeling
of chaos,
contradiction,
action and
dynamism.
Georges Grosz, Tumult,
1916
Other qualities of the line
The line is the principal element used to
structure space.
Tension lines (imaginary lines that unite the
most prominent points of an image) help
us to discover the different areas into
which a space is divided.
Lines help us to analyse images.
Other qualities of the line
One of the most
important functions of
the line is to
assemble shapes in
order to create
images.
We give a shape a
sense of volume and
depth when we
shade it with lines.
Albert GleizesLa ciudad 1914
ACTIVITY
The
expressive
qualities of
the line
Materials needed
•A pencil.
•Black felt pens of different
thicknesses.
•A ruler.
•A image of Asturias
1- Look for information
about the cultural and artistic
heritage of Asturias.
2- Choose an image of
Asturias
3- Using a graphite
pencil, copy the main
lines of the image onto
your worksheet.
4- Create a sense of
volume and depth by
using different types of
lines, changing the
thickness and the
density of the line.
5- Use only pencils.