ELEMENTS OF DESIGN: LINE
Lines can be classified as either Structural or Decorative.
Lines can give a picture:
a) Feeling/emotion
b) Movement
c) Direction
Lines define:
a) shapes
b) contours and outlines
c) structure
Classifying Lines
Lines have various characteristics and can be described in different ways. The following are
categories that we can consider when we try to describe them.
1. length (long/short)
2. thickness (thick/thin/tapering/uneven)
3. direction
(horizontal/vertical/diagonal/curving/perpendicular/oblique/parallel/radial/zigzag)
4. focus (sharp/fuzzy/blurry/choppy)
5. feeling (sharp/jagged/graceful/smooth)
Kinds of Lines and their Expressive or Emotional Qualities
Lines can be exciting, quiet, dignified, angry, active, happy…..
Different kinds of Lines can have a natural subconscious impact upon the viewer. For example:
Vertical lines suggest: poise, balance, height (e.g. skyscraper), or uprightness, honesty, dignity
(e.g. standing figure, totem pole)
Horizontal lines suggest:
 peace, rest (e.g. a painted landscape)
 speed if they are short and parallel
 streamlining (e.g. sportscar)
Diagonal lines suggest:
 movement, (e.g. athlete in action)
 strife, danger, suffering (e.g. a battle scene)
Curved Lines
- rhythmic – a quiet, soothing effect
Straight Lines
- dramatic – show strength
Spiral Lines suggest infinity
Line Vocabulary
Grid:
Web:
Spiral:
Radiating:
Converging
Diverging
Intersecting
Continuous
Hatching
Cross-Hatching
Organic
Angular
implied
Decorative Lines– to form an overall pattern; to express pure beauty of line; to express
emotional or physical feeling; to create optical quality, e.g. Op Art
Implied Lines – lines that we think we see but that exist due to a strong contrast present or a
lining up of elements
Contour Lines – a continuous line that suggest outline AND ridges and main interior detail.
Calligraphic Lines – elegant flowing written line
Common Types of Drawing
Contour Drawing – using continuous line that suggest outline AND ridges and main interior
detail.
Outline Drawing – Contour drawing that shows more detail than contour drawing
Gesture Drawing– quick shorter drawing lines that are energetic and suggest movement and the
dynamic quality or essence of the subject – its energy
Sketching – drawing that includes sketching lines that indicate the beginning of different areas
of value, i.e. hatching
Outlines or Structural Drawing – to define shape and structural segments and separate an
object from its background