This document discusses formal elements of line in art. It defines a line as showing a path between two points, and notes that lines can be curved, zig zagged, horizontal, or implied. The direction of lines can imply certain feelings - horizontal lines imply tranquility, vertical lines imply power, and diagonal lines imply movement. Curved or S-shaped lines imply quiet feelings. Lines that converge can imply depth and distance. The document also provides an example analysis of artist Keith Yahrlings' work, noting his use of repetition, variety of line directions, and filling the frame to portray overpopulation and consumerism.

1. Formal Elements

2. Line
Definition & Theory
• A line shows a "path" between two points.
• A line can be curved, zig zag, horizontal, implied etc.
• Lines can imply motion and suggest direction or orientation.
• A line can also be implied and is then filled in by the mind when several points are positioned geometrically
within a frame.
• The direction of a line can also imply certain feelings
• Horizontal lines imply tranquillity, peace and harmony
• Vertical lines imply power and strength.
• Diagonal lines imply movement, action and change.
• Curved lines or S shaped lines imply quiet, calm and sensual feelings.
• Lines that converge imply depth, scale and distance - a fence or roadway converges into the distance
provides the illusion that a flat two-dimensional image has three-dimensional depth.

4. ARTIST STUDY - Keith Yahrling
Born 1985 in Camden, NJ, currently works and resides in
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He studied at Rhode Island School
of Design and The University of the Arts, Philadelphia. I believe
studying in living in urban areas effected is work since cities
are a hub of consumerism. I liked his work since it was different
and the bright colours stood out to me. I think
that the repetition and the way the pattern fills the frame is
very effective for the message of abundance, waste and
consumerism portrayed in his work. His work features a
variety of line direction which to me reflects the complexity of
the issue is portraying. It also reminds me of the issue of
overpopulation as the image is crowded and full.
I chose this image since I
love the way he
shows overpopulation and
crowds without any
people through the repetition
and variety of line. The high
brightness also and
low contrast makes it stark
and real.

5. contact sheets

6. five best line images images that need work
They are strong images since there is strong
repetion of line. The images are also well
exposed and I like the way the pattern fills
the frame since it emphasises the lines. Some
of the images will need slight editing for
exapmle being made black and white and
upping the contrast.
These images can be linked
to reflect mass problem of
consumerism. I find that
the repetition reflects the
sheer amount of people and
products in the UK and I
used the repetition of UK
brands to emphasise that.
The harsh use of line
also reflects the harshness of
the problem. Thanks to this
these images strongly link to
Kieth Yahrlings work.
I paired these images together because
they compare the differences in nature
and construction however they are linked in
there strong use of line and pattern. They do
not link to consumerism
like Yahrlings however I used the idea
of filling the frame as he did.

7. Editing
Before, I brought down the
exposure and then on the
curves I brought up the
contrast and then
saturation
I then cropped the image
to put focus on the man.
The implied lines on the
stairs bring your eyes to
him aswell as the banister
creating motion.
I cropped it so that the the
central line is straight.
This vertical line reflects the
power and drags your eyes
into the middle of the shot.
I changed the curves so the
brightness came down and
contrast came up – this
emphasises the lines and
colours.
Finally I put the shot in
black and white to simplify
since I didn’t find the
colours were adding
anything

8. Editing 2
Although I put them in in black and white which
is different to Yahrlings style it features high
contrast, retail, and patterns that fill the frame.

9. Colour
The bright yellow against the purple is
complementary colours allowing Lizzo
(subject) to stand out and the lightness of
the colours set the happy scene. The
colours are also slightly muted making it
less harsh on eye.
Vivid analogous of red to yelllow
Muted, cold colours
Highly saturated with vivid
neon colours. Due to the location of the
light source there is high emphasis on
shadows. The bright colours could
imply that the hand is reaching out
to something positive and exciting even
if we don’t know what it is. Its almost
reflective of The Creation of Adam but
in a more modern take.
Color (American English), or colour
(Commonwealth English), is the characteristic
of human visual perception described through
color categories, with names such as red,
orange, yellow, green, blue, or purple.
Subtractive colours are made with ink
Additive colours are made with light
•Analogous are colours that are
adjacent to each other on the
colour wheel, e.g. yellow and
green
•Complementary colours are
opposite to each other on the
colour wheel, e.g. Blue-violet
and yellow, represent colours
positioned across from each
other on the colour wheel.