The Vocabulary of Line Line: The Elementary Means of Communication The Physical Characteristics of Line Measure Type
Art Fundamentals
Direction Location Character The Expressive Properties of Line Line and the Other Art Elements Line and Shape Line and Value
Line and Texture Line and Color The Spatial Characteristics of Line Line and Representation
Chapter 3 Line
THE VOCABULARY OF INTRODUCTORY TERMS
Line The path of a moving point that is made by a tool, instrument, or medium as it moves across an area. A line usually made visible because it contrasts in value with its surroundings.
THE VOCABULARY OF INTRODUCTORY TERMS
calligraphy Elegant, decorative writing. Lines used in artworks that possess the qualities found in this kind of writing may be called "calligraphic" and are generally flowing and rhythmical.
THE VOCABULARY OF INTRODUCTORY TERMS ď Ž
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contour In art, the line that defines the outermost limits of an object or a drawn or painted shape. It is sometimes considered to be synonymous with "outline"; as such, it indicates an edge that also may be defined by the extremities of darks, lights, textures, or colors.
THE VOCABULARY OF INTRODUCTORY TERMS
cross-contour A line that crosses and defines the surface undulations between, or up to, the outermost edges of shapes or objects.
THE VOCABULARY OF INTRODUCTORY TERMS
expression I. The manifestation through artistic form of a thought, emotion, or quality of meaning. 2. In art, expression is synonymous with the term content.
THE VOCABULARY OF INTRODUCTORY TERMS
hatching Repeated strokes of an art tool producing clustered lines (usually parallel) that create values. In "cross-hatching," similar lines pass over the hatched lines in a different direction, usually resulting in darker values.
THE VOCABULARY OF INTRODUCTORY TERMS ď Ž
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implied line Implied lines (subjective lines) are those that dim, fade, stop, and/or disappear. Missing portion of the line is implied to continue and is visually completed by the observer as the line reappears.
THE VOCABULARY OF INTRODUCTORY TERMS
Representation (al) art A type of art in which the subject is presented through the visual art elements so that the observer is reminded of actual objects. (See naturalism and realism)
Art Fundamentals Chapter 3 Line Part 1
Line: The elementary means of communication
Handwriting Sketching Drawing
Line: The elementary means of communication ď Ž
Theoretically: a line is an extended dot.
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The physical characteristics are used by the artist to create meanings.
Line: The elementary means of communication ď Ž
Line in Nature
Line: The elementary means of communication
Line
A graphic device of visual instruction Symbol of something observed
Line: The elementary means of communication
Line
Communicative manners: Defining limits of shape Meeting of areas A contour
Line
Implied line
Suggest spatial change, movement, or animation. Fade, stop, and/or disappear and then reappear as a continuation or an extension of an edge or a direction.
Line ď Ž
Actual lines
Line
Calligraphic line
Personal Flowing Rhythmical Intriguing
Line
Calligraphy
Grace Elegancy
Line
Functions
Creation of Value and Texture. Reproduce the appearance of subjects.
The Physical Characteristics of Line
Strait or curved Direct or meandering Short or long Thin or thick Zigzag or serpentine
Built-in Associations
The Physical Characteristics of Line 1- MEASURE
Length or width
Long and short Thick and thin
Divide Balance Unbalance
The Physical Characteristics of Line 2- TYPE
Straight Curved Angular
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Long or Short Thick or Thin
The Physical Characteristics of Line 2- TYPE
Continues in only one direction STRAIGHHT
Changes direction gradually occur CURVED
Changes sudden and abrupt ANGULAR
The Physical Characteristics of Line 2- TYPE
Alterations of movement become visually entertaining and physically stimulating if they are rhythmical.
Graceful Unstable
The Physical Characteristics of Line 2- TYPE
Our eyes frequently have difficulty adapting to an angular line’s unexpected deviations of direction.
Excitement Confusion Challenge
The Physical Characteristics of Line 3- DIRECTION
Basic direction - Basic movement.
Horizontal direction could indicate serenity and perfect stability. Diagonal direction would probably imply agitation and motion. Vertical suggests poise and aspiration.
The Physical Characteristics of Line 3- DIRECTION
Basic direction Basic movement.
Horizontal serenity and perfect stability. Diagonal agitation and motion. Vertical poise and aspiration.
The Physical Characteristics of Line 3- DIRECTION ď Ž
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The direction of line is very important because it controls the movements of our eyes while we view a picture. Our eye movements can facilitate the continuity of relationships among the various properties of the elements.
The Physical Characteristics of Line 4- LOCATION
According to placement, a line can serve to:
Unify Divide Balance Unbalance
Various attributes can act in concert toward one goal or can serve separate roles of expression.
The Physical Characteristics of Line 5- CHARACTER ď Ž
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The Medium with which the line is created. Monotony could result from the consistent use of lines of the same character unless the unity so gained is balanced by the variation of other physical properties.
The Physical Characteristics of Line 5- CHARACTER ď Ž
The personality or emotional quality of the line is greatly dependent on the nature of the medium chosen.
The Expressive Properties of line
Line Feelings:
Somber Tired Energetic Brittle Alive
The spectator must be receptive and perceptive and have a reservoir of experiences to draw upon.
The Expressive Properties of line
Lazy
Confusion
Tired
Euphoria
Angry
Frustrated
Excited
Content
The Expressive Properties of line
Through Composition and Expression lines come to life. All Important. Some lines are Dominant and some Subordinate but all Important. Their real beauty lies in the relationship they establish in the form.
The Expressive Properties of line ď Ž
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Form: representational or nonrepresentational Recognition and enjoyment of the work is more likely when the work is understood on the abstract level.
The Expressive Properties of line
Organization brings the artist’s message to the forefront. Planned composition.
Line and the other art elements ď Ž
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Line can possess color, value, and texture, and it can create shape. Line can be admired for its own sake.
Line and the other art elements Line and Shape ď Ž
Contour Lines serves as a continuous edge of a figure, object, or mass. Describe the extremities of shapes or masses.
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Cross-contours provide information about the nature of the surfaces contained within those edges.
Line and the other art elements Line and Shape
Line and the other art elements Line and Shape
Modulated lines: Describing the feature of that face by cross-contour. Thick and Thin Irregular and curved Vary the Pressure Vary the Spaces
Line and the other art elements Line and Shape ď Ž
Separate Shapes, values, textures, and colors.
Line and the other art elements Line and Value ď Ž ď Ž
Value: The contrast in lightness and darkness that a line exhibits against its background.
Light
Dark
Line and the other art elements Line and Value
Value:
Thick or Thin
Heavy, wide lines appear dark wile narrow, thin lines appear light.
Thin
Light
Thick
Dark
Line and the other art elements Line and Value
Value: Varying Spaces Widely spaced lines appear light, and closely spaced lines appear dark.
Less
More
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Value: Mixture of media
Line and the other art elements Line and Value ď Ž
Hatching is used to produce value.
Line and the other art elements Line and Texture ď Ž
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Groups of lines can combine to produce textures that suggest a visual feeling for the character of the surface. Media and tools.
Line and the other art elements Line and Color ď Ž
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Color adds an important expressive potential. Accentuate other properties.
Line and the other art elements Line and Color ď Ž
Color and emotional states.
#1 Circle, outside - symbolizes the positive aspects. #2 Circle - the six emotions, three primary and three secondary, represented by their colors. #3 Circle - the negative aspects of each emotion. #4 Circle - Depression, the muddy mixture of all negative emotions.
The Spatial Characteristics of Line
Spatial properties. Position suggests space Value advance and recede Warm colors generally advance Cool colors generally recede
The Spatial Characteristics of Line ď Ž
Line with varied values appear to writhe and twist in space.
The Spatial Characteristics of Line
Every factor that produces line has something to say about a line’s location in space. The artist’s job is to use these factors to create spatial order.
The Spatial Characteristics of Line ď Ž
Spatial illusion
Line and Representation ď Ž
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Line creates representation on both abstract and realistic levels. Objective and Subjective implications.
Line and Representation ď Ž
Line suggesting physical presence and psychological character.
Line and Representation
Line becomes a means for transcribing the expressive language of ideas and emotions.
Edges or Contours of shapes Diagrams silhouette Encompasses spaces and area.
Line and Representation ď Ž
It depicts facts – an architects plan, an engineers drawing, maps, or words.
Line and Representation
It expresses actions in a “gestural” sense – past, present and future.
Line and Representation
Art Fundamentals Chapter 3 Line End