What Are the 3 Categories of Line in Art

What is Line in Terms of Fine art?

Line is one of the seven elements of art.  It is considered by many to be the nearly basic element of fine art. In terms of art, line is considered "a moving dot".

A simple way of thinking of a line is to imagine a signal that moves...

Drawing and Painting with Line

Line has an endless number of uses in the creation of both drawings and paintings. Although nosotros typically acquaintance line with drawing, it'due south also foundational to painting.

Profile Lines

Perchance the most obvious use of line is when it is used to define the edges or boundaries of a discipline. We can apparently communicate a subject's edges by using line. In most cases, when we begin a drawing, we start past drawing the outlines of the bailiwick.

The outlines are just the beginning since line is also used to describe the details on the subject also. Usually, we can simplify areas of contrast on a subject into a line.

In the epitome below, we tin encounter the photo reference next to the resulting line drawing of a flower. The flower is communicated clearly in the line drawing. However, you'll annotation that the drawing is not an exact replica of the reference. There are just lines used in the cartoon, yet in that location are many more than complexities present in the photo.

The drawing above is part of "Drawing Bootcamp". Click here to view Drawing Bootcamp (Membership required).

As nosotros tin meet, line is great for describing a subject in a drawing, only outlines on their own are not complete. Other elements of art (specifically value) must be used in add-on to line to create a realistic cartoon.

Lines that are used to communicate the edges and/or to draw the details of a bailiwick (like we see in a higher place) are chosen contour lines. We commonly call these lines outlines.

Line Quality

Line quality refers to the characteristics of the line fatigued. In many cases, line quality refers to the thickness of a line. By varying the line quality (including both thick and thin lines), we create drawings that are more interesting and provide more than information to the viewer.

Take a await at the line drawing of the apple tree below. Observe how the profile lines are thicker in areas. A thicker line is used where nosotros expect to see shadow and where the apple itself is a little thicker.

In this fashion, we can communicate a bit about the form of the apple and the light using a simple line.

Cross Contour Lines

Cross profile lines are more complex than contour lines. Cross contour lines flow over the class of the bailiwick. These lines can exist implied or visible. Cross contour lines are mostly used when line is used to shade a drawing with hatching and cross hatching.

To better understand cross contour lines, you may imagine running your finger over the surface of an apple. Commencement from the stalk and move down to the bottom. As you motion your finger, imagine leaving a line behind. If you continue repeating this, making "lines" with your finger all effectually the apple, you would have created cross contour lines.

We can run into this illustrated in the paradigm beneath...

The importance of agreement the concept of cross contour lines lies in shading (or adding shadow and highlight) with line. Depending on the form of the object you are drawing, these lines may curve or change direction.

For more on cross profile lines, see the following lessons...

• Cross Contour Lines - 25 Days to Better Drawings (Membership required)
• Line and Value - The Pen and Ink Experience (Membership required)
• How to Use Cross Contour Lines to Create the Illusion of Form

Shading with Line

Line tin can exist used to shade drawings too. Shading is the process of developing the value (fine art element). Value is the darkness or lightness of a color. Darker values typically represent shadows while lighter values typically stand for highlights or lighter tones.

Lines can be concentrated to create darker values. The more lines that are used, the darker the perceived value. Lighter tones can be achieved by allowing more than of the white of the paper to show through or with less full-bodied lines.

We can see this concept illustrated in the image below. The pepper has been shaded using lines. In areas where the value is darker, more lines are used. In areas where the value is lighter, less lines are used. You'll also find that line quality (variety in line thickness) is also used to create a more interesting drawing.

The cartoon in a higher place is part of "25 Days to Better Drawings". Click here to view 25 Days to Better Drawings (Membership required).

You lot'll as well notice that the lines used to shade the drawing bend and alter management slightly based on the grade of the pepper. This illustrates the concept of cross contour lines discussed earlier.

Hatching

Hatching is the process of using directional linear strokes that do not cross over each other to develop the shading in a drawing.

Hatching tin be used with any drawing or painting medium but it is at its best when used with linear drawing medium. Below nosotros can meet a cartoon that was created with pen and ink that utilizes hatching.

The drawing higher up is part of "Subjects with Pen and Ink". Click here to view Subjects with Pen and Ink (Membership required).

Cross Hatching

Cross hatching is the process of developing the value (or shading) in a drawing or painting using lines that cross over each other. Just like with hatching, the greater the concentration of marks, the darker the value. Hatching and cantankerous hatching are often used together.

Beneath, you'll discover a drawing created with pen and ink that utilizes cross hatching.

The drawing above is part of "Subjects with Pen and Ink". Click hither to view Subjects with Pen and Ink (Membership required).

Types of Lines

Lines come in all shapes and sizes and the types of line that can be drawn are countless. Some common forms of line include horizontal, vertical, diagonal, zigzag, and curved. Other types of line include broken lines and implied lines.

Horizontal lines are lines that are parallel to the horizon and generally flow from left to correct or vice versa.

Vertical lines are lines that move upwards and downward without any slant.

Diagonal lines are lines that slant.

Zig zag lines are lines that change direction abruptly.

Curved lines gradually change direction.

Broken lines include open up spaces only keep on a path. These lines may imply an edge or be used to communicate a highlight.

Unsaid lines may include the open space in between broken lines. These lines may not be visible but are unsaid due to contrast in value or the inclusion of broken lines.

See too: Unsaid and Broken Lines

Line - Vocabulary Terms

Line - element of art.  In terms of art, line can exist described every bit a moving dot. Line is maybe the most basic element of cartoon.

Line Variation - the utilize of a multifariousness of line including width, length, texture, thickness, etc. to add interest to a cartoon or painting.

Length - lines can be long or curt.

Width - lines tin be wide or skinny.

Texture - lines tin can be rough or shine.

Direction - lines tin move in any direction.

Degree of curve - lines can bend gradually or not at all.

Hatching - lines that period in the aforementioned direction in order to develop value or shading

Line quality or line weight - refers to the thickness or thinness of a line.  By varying the line quality artists can make objects appear more 3-dimensional and more than interesting.

Crosshatching - lines that cross over each other in order to develop value or shading.

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Source: https://thevirtualinstructor.com/line.html

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