The document discusses the formal element of line in visual art. It describes line as a moving point that can be broad, thin, straight, or jagged. Implied lines do not physically exist but appear real. Line direction such as horizontal, vertical, diagonal, or curved can suggest meanings. Qualities of lines express fragility, roughness, or vigor. Lines can create tones through techniques like hatching, crosshatching, and layering. Lines are used for contour, cross-contour, representation, and expression.

1. Line

2. THE FORMAL ELEMENTS
→line and value
→light
→color and pattern
→textureand volume
→shape
→space motion
→time and
Some works also contain :
→chance
→improvisation
→spontaneity
→engaging senses sight
other than

4. Line
A line is a moving point, having length and no width.
Actual lines physically exist and can be broad, thin, straight, jagged…
Implied lines do not physically exist, but appear to be real.

5. A line’s direction describes spatial relationships.
Horizontal - imply inactivity.
Vertical - the potential of action.
Diagonal - suggest movement, like falling trees.
Curving - suggest flowing movement.

6. Lines have direction:
→horizontal
→vertical
→diagonal
→curved
→meandering

7. Line quality expresses a range of emotions,
fragility, roughness, anger, whimsy, vigor...

8. Compare - Utagawa Kunisada. Shoki the Demon Queller,
c.1849–1853. Woodblock print, 14" × 9 1/2". Burrell Collection, Glasgow.
With Paul Klee, They’re Biting, 1920.
Drawing and oil on paper, 121/4" × 91/4". Tate Gallery, London.

9. Gesture lines - rapid,
sketchy marks mimicking
the movement of human
eyes when examining a
subject.

10. Outline - follows the edges
of a silhouette of a 3-d
form with uniform line
thickness.

11. Contour lines mark the edges
of a 3-d object with varying
line thickness and with
some internal detail.

12. Cross-contours - repeated
lines around an object and
express its 3-dimensionality.

13. Lines can produce tones, or
values, as in parallel lines of
hatching.
Parallel lines in layers is
crosshatching.
Crosshatching
Many thin, parallel lines create
the illusion of a gray tone, parallel lines
layered on top of each other create
darker gray tones

14. Expressive vs. analytical line

15. Line and other Art Elements
• Line and shape: contour and cross
contour
• Line and value: hatching and cross
hatching
• Line and texture
• Line and color

16. Contour Line

19. Cross contour

21. Line as Representation and
Expression
• Gesture
• Gestural
• Calligraphic
• Implied line

22. Gesture

25. In the Style of Giacometti