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Lines and Shapes

Published on Sep 13, 2016

An artist's first lesson on seeing the world in terms of lines and patterns. A great beginning to the exploration of art in our world in the Master's classics.

PRESENTATION OUTLINE

Lines and Shapes

Lessons from the Masters
Photo by dalbera

Lines

Being an artist is about learning how to see the world with a new set of eyes; noticing how the objects around us are made. May of those objects are made out of lines. Look at something around the room and pretend you are a little ant crawling around it...all the way around. That is called the contour line of the object.
Photo by JD Hancock

Kinds of Lines

  • horizontal
  • vertical
  • zig-zag
  • diagonal
  • curved
There are many kinds of lines. In art, the types of lines we use evoke certain feelings, thoughts or energy.
Photo by kennymatic

Vertical

evokes authority
For example, vertical lines evoke a sense of authority. This image looks like a majestic forest. The idea of majesty is related to royalty. If you look at paintings of royalty from long ago, you might see strong, vertical lines in the composition.
Photo by VinothChandar

Diagonal

evoke dynamic energy
Diagonal lines evoke a sense of energy. What do you think of when you see these lines? Does it remind you of a slide. I wonder where they lead to? The bright colors also conjure up a sense of excitement.
Photo by Thomas Hawk

Horizontal

evokes stability
Horizontal lines are like the horizon. Peaceful, serene. Think of an image of a tranquil pool or lake. This image is not as tranquil because the horizontal lines have been interrupted.

Curved

evokes energy, rhythm
Like diagonal lines, curved lines evoke energy and rhythm. Where does your eye go to when you look at these lines? Do you feel how your eye wonders around following the orange curve to the top, left corner of the slide?
Photo by EJP Photo

Lines in architecture

  • structural lines
  • functional lines
When you visit the city, observe the lines in the skyscrapers. If you live near a port, check out the lines in the port. Look at lines far away and up close. Look at the varying widths of the line.
Photo by Bert Kaufmann

Lines in nature

Can you think of lines in nature? Check out the lines in a sunflower? What about the lines on a zebra? Can you think of more lines?
Photo by 55Laney69

Patterns

repetition of lines
Patterns can be created by repeating lines or color. Try to focus on the white lines. What happens? Now try looking at the negative space or black lines? Do you see how it goes in and out? Sometimes patterns can create depth.
Photo by Beaulawrence

Patterns in art

  • mosaics
  • tapestries
  • prints
  • textiles
  • fabric
We can find patterns in many places such as mosaics, tapestries, prints, textiles and fabric. Can you find a pattern around you? Think of the patterns you can find at home; on your rugs, pillows, quilts.
Photo by Leshaines123

Picasso

What types of lines do you see in Picasso's painting? What colors are the lines? Notice how he uses black lines in some areas and white lines in other areas of the painting. What kind of shapes has he created with the lines?
Photo by HerryLawford

Da Vinci

Da Vinci is considered the father of the Renaissance because he discovered perspective and a vanishing point using lines. Here, however, we see the curved lines and cross-hatching to draw his hair, beard and face. Da Vinci is also known for chiaroscuro which gave a soft dimension to his portraits.
Photo by ell brown

Matisse

Notice how Matisse uses contour lines to create these forms. Do you see the repetitive pattern of the background? Notice the contrast between the white forms and the dark blue background. The beginning of this slide show has a painting by Matisse with many lines and patterns.
Photo by ellevalentine

Van Gogh

Notice how Van Gogh uses short, repetitive lines to create his self-portrait. Here, he also uses complimentary colors to have his face stand out more from the blue background. This style is typical of Van Gogh's painting because of the use of vibrant colors and repetitive lines.
Photo by williamcromar

Drawing Lines

Now its your turn to draw lines.

Link to Video: https://youtu.be/NjHM_gcooq4

Tips for drawing lines

  • vary the length
  • vary the width of the line
  • vary the intensity of the line by pressing firmly and then lifting the charcoal, pen or brush
I invite you to listen to different kinds of music (classical, rock, flamenco, blues, jazz) to see how listening to music affects the way you draw the lines.

Vary your line length (short, long, wide, thin).

Press firmly on your medium (charcoal, pastel, brush) and then lift up to see how it changes the quality of your line.

Have fun!

Photo by Daniel Y. Go