Art Class: February 2008

Line, the extension of a point, is the primary means of visual communication and the basis of the language of visual experience for recording and symbolizing ideas, observations and feelings. It can be expressed in pure and complex visual forms and in writing.
The pure geometric line is a mental concept, with only one dimension and length but such geometric lines do not exist in the three dimensional world. Line in art and in nature are linear forms in which length dominates over width, physical and imaginary edges that define form, shape and space, as paths of action, recoding the energy left by moving points.

Lines can cause different mental impacts according to their variations and use. They can be active or static, aggressive or passive, sensual or mechanical, indicate directions, define boundaries of shapes and spaces, imply volume or solid masses and suggest motion or emotion, as well as create light and shadow and form textures and patterns.

Actual Line (fig A) - the pure line, used in writing, and in visual arts as contour, creating pure shapes, form and spaces. The Line art First try by Dmaster35 (fig A1) is the best example of a pure line creating form and shape in a simple way, and Line art by Xaomi (fig A2) shows how a line creates shapes and form in specific spaces using contour. Contour is often used in painting, when the artist first draws the basic elements of the painting in paper, then by laying graphite paper beneath the drawing he transfers it to the canvas, using contour.

Implied Line (fig B) - suggest visual connections, it is the line that is not there; they form geometric shapes or give away the infinity of a line, creating organizational structure. A good example of an implied line is the direction of the look of a model in a photography, like in Ache and Expressions of loneliness (fig B 1 & 2) by me. They can also imply curves and constrast (fig C) like in Vortex (fig B3) by lxrichbirdsf, as well as edges (fig D) like in Metamorphosis (fig B4) by MrsMorzarella.

Vertical and Horizontal Lines (fig E) - vertical lines denote an attitude of alert attention shown in lets play with destiny (fig E2) by madmozele, and horizontal lines denote an attitude of rest shown in Balcony (fig E2) by pedroinacio. Both vertical and horizontal lines are stable in relation to gravity and position, together they denote stability, safety and solid structure. Diagonal lines (fig F) denote slow and fast actions, suggesting a feeling of direction and movement, shown in island style - interior (fig F1) by fietter.

Sharp and Curve Lines - sharp lines usually represent simple angles and layers (fig G), shown in Coffee (fig G1) by me. Curve lines (fig H) represent movement, direction and continuity, shown in Knot 2 (fig H1) by billsabub.

Hard and Soft Lines - soft lines (fig I) are usually fading and blurred lines, less evident and usually used to express perspective, shown in Leaving the rain, to the Sun by me.

Irregular Lines (fig J) are used to create abstract forms and shapes, sometimes they represent a specific form and sometimes they just cause an impression. Vase with 12 sunflowers by Vincent van Gogh (fig J1) shows how irregular lines create abstract but specific forms. Water Lilies by Claude Monet (fig J2) shows how irregular lines create typical abstract impressions.

Crosshatching is the use of lines placed over one another in angles to create light and shadow, tone and shade in linear media. The technique is simple, shown in Crosshatching Tutorial (fig K) by Indefatigable42, shading from light to dark with parallel crossed lines. Both John Lennon in Crosshatching by ReAnim8or and Greek krater by Indefatigable42 show typical crosshatching techniques.