1. The Element of Line
Yvonne Jacquette, Town of Skowhegan, Main V, 1988, oil on canvas 783/16”x 64 3/16” Courtesy, DC Moore Gallery NYC

2. How do artists use line in art?
Objectives:
Observe the lines in their environment more
closely.
Compare and contrast different kinds of
lines and the use of lines in artworks.
Demonstrate effective use of art media and
tools in drawings.

3. What is line?
Lines are everywhere. You can find lines in
the grain of a piece of wood, in the cracks
on a sidewalk. Lines are used to create
words, numbers and symbols. They are
also used to make art.
Line is an element of art that is the path of a
moving point through space.

4. Artists use line to lead your eye
through a work of art.

5. Dimension is the amount of space an object
takes up in one direction. Two dimensional
objects have height as well as width.
Three dimensional objects have height,
width and depth.

6. A line that shows or creates the outer edges of
a shape is an outline.

7. Good Morning
• Today you will need you your sketchbook
to copy notes and to create a new work of
art

8. Implied Lines are a series of points that a viewer’s
eyes automatically connect.

9. Implied lines created by the light bulbs create the image of a smile

10. Kinds of Lines and How Lines Vary
• Vertical
• Horizontal
• Diagonal
• Zigzag
• Curved
• Length
• Width
• Texture
• Direction
• Degree of Curve

11. Vertical lines lift your eyes and create a sense of formality and stability

12. Horizontal lines create a feeling of peacfullness, calm and rest.

13. Diagonal lines appear to be rising or falling.

14. Thomas Hart Benton, The Sources of Country Music 6’x10’ mural, Nashville, TN.
Zigzag lines create confusion, activity and excitement

24. Assignment
• On separate pages in
your sketchbook,
illustrate two words from
the list by using line
movement only. DO NOT
draw objects or write
words.
• Do this in colored pencil
• Fill your page. You will be
graded on originality,
quality of design and
effort.
• Keep your words secret.
Swimming Growing
Rocking Laughing
Marching Flying
Dancing Singing
Wagging Sailing
Burning Juggling
Flowing Walking
Running Tumbling
Crawling
Writing
Praying
Jumping