Art I Fall Semester Exam Part One : Line

Line

An element of art used to define space, contours, and outlines or to represent mass and volume.

Descriptive Lines

Lines created with a variety of tools; can be outlines, contour lines, single lines or hatching.

Outline

Lines with little variation that describe the outer edges of shapes which appear flat.

Contour Line

Lines that define the outer edges of forms and surfaces within a form such as shapes or wrinkles and folds.

Hatching

Shading using closely spaced, parallel lines used to suggest light and shadow.

Crosshatching

Shading created by crossed parallel lines.

Implied Lines

Lines that are indicated indirectly in artworks at edges where two shapes meet, where a form end and the space around it begins, or by positioning several objects or figures in a row.

Edge

Where one shape ends and another begins, resulting in an implied line.

Closure

The tendency to complete partial forms or shapes by seeing lines that do not exist.

Lines of Sight

Implied lines suggested by the direction in which figures in a picture are looking, or from the observer’s eye to the object being looked at.

Expressive Lines

Lines that are produced to express an idea, mood, or quality.

Abstract Line

Lines found in very abstract and nonobjective artworks which do not describe anything. They are meant to be seen only as a line.

Pattern

The repetition of elements or combination of elements in a recognizable organization.

Unity

A principle of design related to the sense of wholeness that results from the successful combination of component elements