LINE

Characteristics of Line
Line is the most personal of the five Art Elements (line, value, shape, color and texture). It is essentially equivalent to the artist's signature. Line may be defined as:
1. A point in motion; as in a jet moving across the sky.
2. A series of adjacent points; as in a dashed or broken path like a sewing pattern.
3. A connection between points; as in the path between points in a "dot to dot" drawing.
4. An implied connection in points; as when giving directions and pointing towards the destination.

Lines may be straight, curved, angular, continuous or broken.

In drawing courses, we categorize line drawings as either Contour or Gesture. Contour Line drawings are defined by a single, incisive and methodical path that describes the interior and exterior volumes. Outlines only define the exterior volumes or silhouette of a shape and a therefore "flat." Contour drawings should appear three-dimensional.

Gesture drawings are quick and spontaneous renderings generally consisting of multiple lines or "rephrased" contours building a cage around form. Note the sense of transparency as well in the gesture drawing below.

Cross-contours are lines that cross over the contours of an object defining its topography (i.e. peaks and valleys).