This document discusses the visual element of line. It defines line as an edge, contour, path, or directional signal that directs our vision. Line is important for defining and describing the visible world. There are several characteristics of lines. Lines can be straight, curved, thick, thin, solid, broken, and have various surface qualities. Lines are also used for systems of notation like letters, maps, music, and barcodes. Lines can form patterns, create the illusion of dimension and movement, and indicate style, age, and mood. Overall, line is a powerful visual element for expression that conveys ideas, attitudes, and psychological meanings.

1. Visual Imagination

2. As conceptual elements are those constructs
which can only be conceived, and are for the
most part, defined only in mathematical
terms; visual elements, are those properties of
objects and surfaces that can be observed
through eye sight. Although we can observe
these visual elements, they continue to be
rather abstract* concepts. Much more abstract
than we think they are.
*Abstract: the extract of an underlying essence of a concept, achieved by
removing any dependence on real world objects with which it might
originally have been connected, generalizing it, so that it has wider
applications.

3. Studying the visual elements is important for two
(2) major reasons:
1. They define the visible world
2. We describe the visible world through them.

4. There are six (6) principal visual elements:
1. Point*
2. Line
3. Shape
4. Volume*
5. Color
6. Texture
•
Point and Volume will not be given significant attention in this class.

5. We have already, to a degree, considered
four of them in the discussion concerning
conceptual elements, namely: Point, Line,
Plane and Volume.
In visual terms, point becomes a dot and is
primarily, although, not exclusively, used to
pinpoint the position of a shape or object in two
dimensional and three dimensional space.

6. THE CHARACTERISTICS OF LINE AS A
VISUAL ELEMENT
1. In visual terms, line is sometimes thought of
as an edge, a contour (outline), a path, or a
directional signal . It directs our vision to
various points of interest in a composition. Line
is a graphic device. It does not exist in nature in
the same sense that we interpret it in drawing.

7. LINE as contour (edge or outline)

8. LINE contour or outline

9. LINE as path
LINE as path and structure

10. LINE as direction

11. LINE as direction

12. LINE as direction

13. LINE as contour or outline
PICASSO WAS A MASTER
AT ABSTRACTING HIS
SUBJECTS TO SIMPLE
LINE DRAWINGS

14. 2. In nature we interpret line as providing
structure or underpinning to an entity.

15. LINE as structure In nature

16. LINE structure in artifact

17. Alexander technique
correcting posture (structure)
LINE as structure in actor posture

18. 3. Lines have surface characteristics.They can
be straight, curved, thick, thin, solid, broken,
rough, smooth, light, dark pigmented or nonpigmented. Or any combinations of the above .

19. SOME LINE CHARACTERISTICS

20. MORE LINE
CHARACTERISTICS

21. 4. Line are used for systems of notation,
such as: letters and numbers, maps,
plans, schematics, bar codes etc.

22. LINE - map

23. Line – Music notation
Dance Notation Isadora Duncan
Dance Notation Computer

24. LINE – Schematic
LINE – Plan- Sistine Chapel

25. LINE – Calligraphic notation

26. LINE - Bar code

27. 5. Line can be used in forming patterns.

28. LINE can form pattern

29. LINE FORMING PATTERN

30. 6. Line can be used to create the illusion
of dimension, depth and movement.

32. LINE can be dynamic

33. LINE can reinforce or
amplify movement

34. LINE can be suggested or implied (points in a row).

35. LINE can imply movement

36. 7. Line can create tone and texture.

37. LINE can suggest tone

38. LINE can suggest texture

39. 8. Line dictates style.

40. Rococo
LINE carries style
Gothic
Deconstruction

41. Art Noveau
LINE carries style

42. LINE carries style
Art Deco

43. 9. Line can indicate age or maturity.

44. Line indicating age

45. LINE can indicate style, age, sophistication and maturity.

46. 10. Line can be used as a means of visual
expression to represent ideas and moods
such as happiness, sadness, gracefulness,
boldness etc. As such, line displays some
psychological weight through its symbolic
associations. (ex: stick drawings, smiley
lines, sad lines, tranquil lines, majestic
lines, conflict lines, unbalanced lines etc.)

47. Turner
Snowstorm - Steam-Boat off a Harbor's Mouth

48. Albert Le Goinvec
Contrast and Serenity

49. Claude Monet
Le Bassin aux Nymphéas

50. Odilon Redon
Salome

51. Sternad
Set for Elmer Rice’s Adding Machine

52. LINE can abstract a state of
being.
Image from Grotowski’s production of Acropolis.

53. LINE can suggest attitude and
gesture

54. LINE can suggest attitude and
gesture

55. LINE can create or support mood.

56. LINE can be expressive
and emotive

57. LINE displaying attitude and gesture

58. LINE displaying attitude and gesture

59. GESTURE DRAWING REVISITED