Line

In the visual arts, 'line' is the most basic form of communication. However, lines may also enhance the mood, invoke feelings, or stir an emotional response from the viewer.

Line

Line is defined as:

  1. noun. a long, narrow mark on a surface. In the 2D visual arts or drawing, when we make a one-dimensional mark on a surface, we are "mark-making."
  2. noun. in geometry, a line is defined as anything formed by the connection of two points.

Types

Lines may create boundaries or contours defining a shape or form. Line lengths may be long, short, continuous, or broken, whereas the line width can be thick, thin, uneven, or tapered. Lines may also be created from the edges of shapes.

Straight lines may be horizontal, vertical, or diagonal.

Horizontal Line
HORIZONTAL - Straight from left to right or right to left
  • Emotional: PASSIVE conveys STILLNESS, LACK OF MOTION, or REST
  • Spatially: STATIC
  • Represents: CALM, PEACE, TRANQUILITY, or REPOSE
  • For Example: landscapes or the line of the ocean in a sunset
Vertical Line
VERTICAL - Straight up and down
  • Emotional: PASSIVE, however, conveys a sense of ALERTNESS.
  • Spatially: STATIC but may indicate HEIGHT or ELONGATION.
  • Represents: DIGNITY, STRENGTH, PERMANENCE, or STABILITY
  • For Example: a tall tree trunk, building, or the gesture of a person standing up
Diagonal Line
DIAGONAL - Slanted or Angled
  • Emotionally: ACTIVE conveys MOVEMENT, INTENSITY, or LACK OF STABILITY.
  • Spatially: DYNAMIC may indicate depth when using the system of linear perspective drawing.
  • Represents: COMBAT, CONFUSION, or CLASH
  • For Example: an object falling or about to fall, i.e., a tree that has just been axed, i.e., much more visually intense than vertical or horizontal lines

Organic lines may be radial, spiral, or curved.

Curved Line
CURVED OR PARABOLA - not straight, organic, or natural
  • Emotionally: ACTIVE
  • Spatially: DYNAMIC
  • Represents: EXCITEMENT, ELASTICITY, or ACTIVITY; Nonthreatening
  • Example: Found as contours for biological objects or materials
Curved Line
SEMI-CIRCLE OR ARC - Curved with a consistent radius
  • Emotionally: ACTIVE
  • Spatially: DYNAMIC
  • Represents: EXCITEMENT, ELASTICITY, or ACTIVITY
  • Example: Found as contours for biological objects or materials

Lines may be implied, and their quality can be soft or bold. They may be sharp, firm, soft, or lost in or out of focus. Lines may also create the illusion of motion or lead the viewer's eye through an image.

Implied Line
BROKEN - A line that is not continuous or missing pieces.
IMPLIED - A series of points or marks that the eye automatically follows or the brain connects together; a line of dots or dashes
  • Emotionally: ACTIVE or PASSIVE, depending on the direction, may express the ephemeral or the insubstantial.
  • Spatially: DYNAMIC or STATIC, depending on the direction
  • Represents: direction or suggestion of the direction
  • Example: A trail of crumbs, a group of cars one behind another, a group of people in line at a concert, or a grid line
Psychic Line
PSYCHIC- Invisible line from one element to another, our eyes follow it, which creates a "line" in our mind's eye
  • Emotionally: ACTIVE or PASSIVE, depending on the direction
  • Spatially: DYNAMIC or STATIC, depending on the direction
  • Represents: direction or suggestion of the direction
  • Example: sign pointing in a particular direction or someone's eyes staring in a specific direction

Lines can also convey emotions. For example, sharp or jagged lines portray a different feeling than elegant or smooth lines.

Depending on our tools, we can create lines that make an object feel sharp, jagged, man-made, graceful, smooth, or organic. For example, perfectly straight lines feel artificial or man-made, whereas squiggles feel more organic.

Squiggle Lines
SQUIGGLE - a short line that curls & loops in an irregular way
JAGGED - not straight, angles or pointed elements
  • Emotionally: ACTIVE
  • Spatially: DYNAMIC
  • Represents: Curved = ORGANIC, not man-made; Jagged = ANXIETY or TURMOIL
  • Example: Freehand-drawn lines could be used for shading
Thick & Thin
Lines
CONTINUOUS - Solid line that may lead the eye in specific directions
LINE WIDTH - the thickness of the line
CREATION - How the line is made
  • THICK - Represents: STRENGTH
  • THIN - Represents: Fragile or delicate
  • FREEHAND - May express the personal energy of the maker and influence the mood or emotion
  • MECHANICAL - Digital or drafting made with a ruler for accuracy or precision may express rigid control

Characteristics

Here's a list of some of the jobs that lines can do.

Contour & Form

A contour is defined as an outline, especially one representing the boundary of a shape. 

In the drawing, we use lines to describe the edges of a particular object. We also use lines to communicate where there is a higher contrast in tone or value.

A form is the visible configuration of a shape within a spatial context. Shapes are flat. Forms communicate where objects are in space with regard to the viewer.

A cylinder, for example, appears as a rectangle when viewed at eye level. However, when the viewer changes their position and looks down upon it, the boundaries change from straight lines into curves.

We can also use a cross-contour line within the object to further communicate this idea. It defines the cylinder's top plane.

Direction

Is a course along which someone or something moves.

Lines may lead a viewer's eye throughout the composition or two-dimensional space.

Division

Is the action of separating something into parts or the process of being separated. A dividing line may limit an area or force a divide in space.

A border, grid, or rectangle may be used to organize objects on a page in a drawing or help the draftsperson plan out a composition.

Decoration or Rhythm

Lines may also create a sense of rhythm, a strong, regular, repeated pattern of movement that visually affects the viewer.

Lines may also be ornamental, such as decorations or motifs. For decorative purposes only, these lines are sinuous, graceful, cursive lines inspired by flowers & plants, typical of the Art Nouveau style.

Hatching or Tone

Lines close together produce a tonal gradation, shade of gray, or a single tone, depending on how close the lines are together. These can be loose and gestural or structured and controlled.





Pattern

Lines that repeat predictably create patterns.

They are pleasing to the eye or may have a chosen effect on the viewer.

Patterns can be radial or linear, depending on the type of lines.

Texture

Lines that do not repeat predictably create the appearance of a texture or a textured surface.




Schema

Or sometimes referred to as a 'schematic,' it is a representation of a plan or theory in the form of an outline or model.

A schema may serve as a structured framework or armature to build a drawing or other lines.

When drawing symmetrical objects, a schema or construction line guides the draftsperson and will help them to determine or correct the proportions of a symmetrical object. 

Construction lines, such as using an imaginary box around an object, may help the draftsperson determine how an object turns in space.

Symbols or Text

Lines may also create symbols or text within a language, which articulate thoughts, memories, or ideas without speech.

Most are familiar with Egyptian hieroglyphics, or the writings of ancient Egypt, where they used pictures to communicate words and syllables.

The more you study what lines can do, the more confident you will become in using them.


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