This document discusses principles of line in art and design. It explores different types of lines including organic, geometric, curvilinear, and rectilinear lines. It also examines qualities of lines such as depth, tone, direction, and movement. Examples are provided to illustrate concepts like gradient, continuity, cross-hatching, and how lines can be used in nature and design.

1. Use of line..
Exploration of Line
* principles of line
* types of line
* line in nature
* line in design
7 March 2011 Ashleigh Benn

2. Principles of line
Qualities of line
• Depth, Tone (thickness)
• Gradient
• Direction (movement)
• Organic
• Geometric
• Curvilinear
• Rectilinear
7 March 2011 Ashleigh Benn

3. Types of line
http://cnx.org/content/m24870/latest/
7 March 2011 Ashleigh Benn

4. Depth, Tone and Thickness
• As one can see in the
picture here, alternative
pressures and thickness'
used in line can create
depth and tone. The
closer the line the deeper
the image.
7 March 2011 Ashleigh Benn

5. Gradient
• The intense usage of line
here creates an intensity
in the mark making, one
can almost feel the depth
that has been created.
7 March 2011 Ashleigh Benn

6. Direction, Movement
• In this image, fast paced
movements are shown in
the lines that are very
close together and dark
in colour. The less
‘angry’ lines depict the
‘froth’ of the wave,
which is lighter and http://artandwater.blogspot.com/2010_04_01_archive.html
more gentle.
7 March 2011 Ashleigh Benn

7. Continuous
• Continuity in line can
give a soft feminine
emotion, and can also
give depth without
having to place intensive
tonal elements.
http://johngushue.typepad.com/blog/2008/01/continuity.html
7 March 2011 Ashleigh Benn

8. Organic
• Organic lines are found
in nature and form
irregular shapes. In this
image the loosely drawn
lines give a smooth
texture to the drawing as
well as a relaxed
emotional quality. http://perfect-imperfection.com/2009/06/organic/
7 March 2011 Ashleigh Benn

9. Geometric
• This picture shows
thought and
measurements. There
are calculations in the
line and this depicts an
almost clinical approach
in the mark making.
http://www.abcteach.com/directory/clip_art/art_and_artists/
7 March 2011 Ashleigh Benn

10. Curvilinear
• This image is
characterized by curved
lines. Here the piece
takes on a feminine,
mystical feeling because
of the ‘fairytale’ quality
of the line.
7 March 2011 Ashleigh Benn

11. Rectilinear
• A masculine form of line
that is characterized by
straight lines. Here the
straight lines are used to
give an accurate
perspective.
7 March 2011 Ashleigh Benn

12. Drawn line
• Hand drawn lines add
an emotional emphasis
to an image that is rarely
seen in any other form of
mark making, the
creator of the images
shows part of their own
emotional path on the
paper.
7 March 2011 Ashleigh Benn

13. Horizontal
• This is one of artist Dana
McClure’s line series, I
thought this piece was
breathtaking and loved the
way she enforced texture by
using changes in tone and
colour in her line work.
Horizontal lines evoke a
restful feeling, the line also
has a masculine quality.
http://www.lostateminor.com/2010/12/18/dana-mcclures-line-
7 March 2011 Ashleigh Bennseries/

14. Vertical
• I thought this was an
interesting example of
vertical line usage. If you
look closely at the eye,
one can see all the actual
marks that have been
made are vertical. This
gives the piece a ‘somber’
emotion and a slightly
more masculine quality. http://feathertickler.deviantart.com/art/Vertical-Line-Drawing-
140491768
7 March 2011 Ashleigh Benn

15. Contour
• Contour lines give shape
and movement with little
tonal value. There is
something rather
beautiful in the
imperfections found in
the contours.
http://www.quia.com/jg/426706list.html
7 March 2011 Ashleigh Benn

16. Varying Pressure
• As we can see here,
varying pressure in line
gives ones eye subtle
notification where depth
in the image should be.
Lighter areas feel thin
and more airy.
http://drawsketch.about.com/od/flowerdrawing/ss/flower_drawin
g_2.htm
7 March 2011 Ashleigh Benn

17. Form
• I really love drawings
that depict ‘form’ in a
free handed approach.
Sketches depicting form
can create movement.
Here, our eyes almost
see the figure moving.
http://blogs.hebali.com/itp/?p=92
7 March 2011 Ashleigh Benn

18. Diagrammatic
• These lines are used to
show structure and how
something could be fitted
together or made to
work.
http://www.bogdanskikonstruktion.de/en/front_content
7 March 2011 Ashleigh Benn .php?idcat=96

19. Cross hatching
• Thought this example of
cross-hatching was apt
because of the ‘literal’
representation of the
thumb ‘coming out’ of
the cross- hatch. Cross
hatching creates a tonal
value that makes an
image very realistic.
http://paulrodecker.blogspot.com/2009/01/drawing-of-day-cross-
hatch.html
7 March 2011 Ashleigh Benn

20. Invisible line
• Notice the line drawn
down the centre of these
figures. To have this
kind of invisible line, it
makes it easier to create
proportions.
http://www.wetcanvas.com/forums/showthread.php?t=574793
7 March 2011 Ashleigh Benn

21. Line in Nature
• This image I think is a
great depiction of how
we find lines in the
world around us.
http://www.woodka.com/2005/10/15/horizon/
7 March 2011 Ashleigh Benn

22. Line in design
• Here a continuous line is
shown in a piece of
jewellery. This bracelet
is given an organic feel
because of the lack of
detail.
http://www.ldnfashion.net/2011/02/new-h-stern-collection-launches-at-
harrods/
7 March 2011 Ashleigh Benn

23. Thank you
7 March 2011 Ashleigh Benn