Design and Layout
(part one)
Elements of Art - Line
(Drawing Concepts)
Multimedia
Elements of Art
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Vocabulary
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Line
Shape / Form
Value
Space / Perspective
Texture
Color
What Are They?
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The Elements of Art are fundamental ideas about the
practice of good visual design.
An element of art is simply a component, like a tool,
that the artist uses to accomplish what he/she sets
out to create.
The parts that provide structure to a piece include:
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Line
Shape / Form
Value
Space / Perspective
Texture
Color
Line
Line
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The path of a point moving through
space is a LINE.
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A mark on a surface that describes a shape or
outline.
The most basic element of art, Line gives the eye
explicit directions about where to look.
They group related objects together and divide
unrelated objects.
Elements of Art
Characteristics
of a Line
WIDTH
Thick
Thin
Tapering
Elements of Art
LENGTH
Characteristics
of a Line
Long
Short
Continuous
Broken
Elements of Art
DIRECTION
Horizontal
Characteristics
of a Line
Vertical
Diagonal
Curvilinear
Perpendicular
Parallel
Zigzag
HORIZONTAL LINE suggests a feeling of rest or repose. Objects parallel to the
earth are at rest in relation to gravity. Therefore compositions in which horizontal
lines dominate tend to be quiet and restful in feeling. One of the hallmarks of
Frank Lloyd Wright's architectural style is its use of strong horizontal elements
which stress the relationship of the structure to the land.
Frank Lloyd Wright - an American architect, interior designer, writer, and educator
VERTICAL LINES communicate a feeling of loftiness and spirituality. Vertical
lines seem to extend upwards beyond human reach, toward the sky. They often
dominate public architecture, from cathedrals to corporate headquarters.
Extended perpendicular lines suggest an overpowering grandeur, beyond
ordinary human measure.
DIAGONAL LINE
Eduard Munch used the diagonal line in “The Scream” to bring our
eye to the subject.
Eduard Munch - a Norwegian painter
CURVILINEAR LINE
Curvilinear line create a flowing movement which creates a sense of
movement.
PERPENDICULAR LINE
Lines that are intersecting at 90º to each other.
Perpendicular lines create tension in the design.
PARALLEL LINE
Parallel lines create a synergy or unity in the design.
ZIGZAG LINE
An angular shape characterized by sharp turns in alternating directions.
In this example we get a sense of depth or dimension
Elements of Art
TEXTURE
Characteristics
of a Line
Jagged
Graceful
JAGGED LINE
A line with a sharply uneven surface or outline
GRACEFUL LINE
The graceful line creates a soft, gentle, elegant feeling.
Line Review
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The most basic element of art, Line gives the eye
explicit directions about where to look.
Characteristics of a Line
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Width – thick, thin, tapered
Length – long, short, continuous, broken
Direction – horizontal, vertical, diagonal, curvilinear,
perpendicular, parallel and zigzag
Texture – jagged, graceful
Example: Line Art
How is Line being used in this picture? How are
width, length, direction and texture used?
Preparing to Work
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Create a New Folder for your artwork
You may create it on the desktop, in
your documents folder or where ever
you like
This is where you will save your
Multimedia graphic assignments
Later, you can upload your favorite ones
to your website!
MODELING
PS Setting Up The Workspace
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Open Photoshop CS6
Create a New Document
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File > New
Name: Line, Shape & Value
Preset: Web
Click OK
If you cannot see the rulers, from the Menu bar,
select View > Rulers
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Verify that your rulers are set to inches
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Edit > Preferences > Units and Rulers
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Rulers > Inches
Type > Points
MODELING
PS Setting Up The Workspace
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Create a New Layer named “Quadrants”
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Layer > New > Layer
Name: Quadrants
Verify the Quadrants layer is highlighted
in the Layers panel
MODELING
Draw a Line in Photoshop CS6
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Select the Line tool from the Toolbox
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Position the cursor approximately halfway
down the Photoshop document
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The Line tool is hidden beneath the Shape tool
icon.
about 4 ¾ inches
Holding the Shift key down, draw a Line
across the document, dividing it in half.
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Holding the Shift key draws a straight line.
MODELING
Draw a Line in Photoshop CS6
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Now, position the cursor approximately
halfway across the Photoshop
document
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about 5 ½ inches
Holding the Shift key down, draw a Line
from the top to the bottom of the
document.
You should now have four quadrants.
MODELING
PS Setting Up The Workspace
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Create a New Layer named “Line”
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Layer > New > Layer
Name: Line
Verify the Line layer is highlighted in the
Layers panel
MODELING
Draw a Line in Photoshop CS6
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In top left quadrant of the Workspace,
draw a design using the art element Line
and its four different characteristics:
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Width (Weight), Length, Direction, Texture
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Use the Line, Brush and Pencil tools.
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Research Line Art for ideas
Adjust the tool attributes in the Photoshop
Options bar.
Save your work
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Name: Line, Shape and Value