Introduction to Line

THE ELEMENTS OF VISUAL ART

LINE

As we begin the discussion of visual art, we're starting at what may seem very basic ­ Line.
 
It seems logical that all artists would begin with a drawing - using line. But it doesn't stop there. Artists argue even about the validity of using line at all in creating art work. The first quote you'll find in the lecture note is by a French artist ­ Eugené Delacroix. He states, "There are no lines in nature." In fact, I was told this often myself in art school. What Delacroix meant and my teachers is that when you really look at the world around you, you never see lines.
 
In other words, line is man's invention. Just like numbers. You never see the number 8 walking down the street. Lines and numbers are parts of systems that were created to help us understand the world around us. Lines are used to make maps - To draw boundaries - To make diagrams and pictograms.
 
I also include Delacroix¹s statement to be ironic, since the watercolor I show you - of a tiger by Delacroix has lines. I think every artist uses line. It¹s difficult not to.
 
In the lecture notes, you'll find descriptions and illustrations of various kinds of line used in art. There are links to work by other artists. Be sure to click on all the links and read about the artists as well as look at the images of their work.
 
There is additional reading as well as recommended links and reading.
 
For the assignment, I want you to describe the line used in a drawing. So, while you're reading the Lecture Notes, pay careful attention to the various kinds of line.