Digital Arts - Lines in Art

Vocabulary: Lines in Art. In digital art, lines are used to create shapes, patterns, texture, space, and movement.

calligraphy

Definition: precise and elegant lettering made with paintbrushes or pens
Example: The artistic handwriting on handwritten party invitations is an example of calligraphy.

continuity

Definition: the degree to which a line is solid (unbroken)
Example: Solid, dotted, and dashed are all different forms of line continuity.

contour lines

Definition: the lines that show an object's internal lines or edges within its outline
Example: After drawing an outline of my hand, I added contour lines by drawing fingernails on each finger.

curved line

Definition: a line that has at least one smooth bend in it, so it changes direction
Example: The letter U is an example of a curved line.

diagonal

Definition: a line that runs from one corner of a rectangular area to the opposite corner, such as top left to bottom right
Example: Cutting a rectangle using a diagonal line results in two triangles.

gesture lines

Definition: lines used to indicate movement, speed, weight, or form
Example: Straight horizontal gesture lines drawn to the left of an object indicate that the object is moving from left to right.

horizontal

Definition: a straight side to side line
Example: Use a horizontal line to draw flat terrain.

implied lines

Definition: lines that are not actually drawn, but are suggested by other elements in an artwork
Example: When you create an object using solid shapes rather than lines, there is an implied line outlining the object.

line of focus

Definition: a visual pointer or pathway in an artwork that encourages viewers to look at a certain area or in a certain direction
Example: The sidewalk in the painting serves as a line of focus toward the open door at the building entrance.

length

Definition: the measure of how long a line is
Example: It may be helpful to use a ruler when you need to draw a line with a precise length.

orientation

Definition: the direction of a line in relation to the drawing canvas or paper, such as vertical, horizontal, or diagonal
Example: A line with a vertical orientation runs straight up and down.

shape

A shape is a flat, or two-dimensional, object. Shapes are made from the boundaries of lines, colors, textures, and other shapes.

form 

A form is a three-dimensional object, or an object that is created so that it appears to have three dimensions. A drawing of a cube is considered a form because it represents a three-dimensional object, even if the drawing itself is two-dimensional.

Color

Color is a feature of human visual perception that allows people to differentiate between different light frequencies.

Value

Value is the lightness or darkness of a color.

Value is especially important in black and white artwork, such as black and white photography.

Space

Space is the distance around, between, or within parts of an artwork. Space is important for creating the illusion of depth, and for calling attention to specific parts of an artwork.

Texture

Texture is how an object or three-dimensional artwork, like a statue, feels when it is touched.

Lines

A line is a path traced by a moving point, like the tip of a pencil, pen, paintbrush, or mouse pointer. A line is longer than it is wide.

Outlines

Outlines are the lines marking the outside boundaries of an object, like the edges of a face or the shape of an apple.

Sketch

Sketches are quick freehand drawings used to capture an object or a place quickly. Artists often use sketches to plan a more complicated art project or to try out different ideas.

Sketch lines are often imprecise and vague because sketches are done to capture concepts, not to make finished pieces of art.