Art I A Elements of Art UNIT 1 (of 5): Line (16 hours = 1 credit) Independent Study 1. Students will be introduced to techniques meant to inspire creativity 2. Students will practice drawing skills in a variety of assignments Materials Needed: Homework packet Paper Pencil Eraser Fine-Point Marker (optional) Turn in for this Packet (Check when complete): Related Artist: M.C. Escher One fill in - five boxes showing types of line Tens drawings - gesture drawings of a live model Six drawings (minimum) - contour drawings of an object or model One handout - non-objective expression of emotion through design One drawing - contour wrapped animal portrait VAPA (Visual and Performing Arts) Standards: 1. Artistic Perception Processing, analyzing, and responding to sensory information using language skills unique to the arts 2. Creative Expression Creating, performing and participating in the arts 3. Historical and Cultural Context Understanding historical contributions and cultural dimensions of the arts 4. Aesthetic Valuing Responding to, analyzing and making judgments about works of art 5. Connections, Relations, Applications Connecting and applying what is learned in each art form to learning in other art forms, subject areas and careers
Related Artist: M.C. Escher Sources of Information: (Minimum of 3) Born (Location and Date): Died: Biography: Known for: Artistic Movement they were a part of: Famous Works: Which of the above works are the most interesting to you? Why? Which piece is the least interesting? Why? What about this Artist and/or their work can you apply to your artwork?
Line Line: An element of art that is used to define shape, contours, and outlines, also to suggest mass and volume. It may be a continuous mark made on a surface with a pointed tool or implied by the edges of shapes and forms. Characteristic of Line are: Width- thick, thin, tapering, uneven Length - long, short, continuous, broken Direction- horizontal, vertical, diagonal, curving, perpendicular, oblique, parallel, radial, zigzag Focus- sharp, blurry, fuzzy, choppy Feeling- sharp, jagged, graceful, smooth Types of Line: 1. Outlines- Lines made by the edge of an object or its silhouette. 2. Contour Lines- Lines that describe the shape of an object and the interior detail. 3. Gesture Lines- Line that are energetic and catches the movement and gestures of an active figure. 4. Sketch Lines- Lines that captures the appearance of an object or impression of a place. 5. Calligraphic Lines- Greek word meaning "beautiful writing." Precise, elegant handwriting or lettering done by hand. Also artwork that has flowing lines like an elegant handwriting 6. Implied Line- Lines that are not actually drawn but created by a group of objects seen from a distance. The direction an object is pointing to, or the direction a person is looking at. Name the Line: 1. Below are five boxes. Create a different type of line for each box. 2. In the blank under the box come up with a name for that line that describes it.
A line is an identifiable path created by a point moving in space. It is one-dimensional and can vary in width, direction, and length. Lines often define the edges of a form. Lines can be horizontal, vertical, or diagonal. They can be straight or curved, thick or thin. They lead your eye around the composition and can communicate information through their character and direction. Examples: Horizontal lines suggest a feeling of rest or repose because objects parallel to the earth are at rest. In this landscape, horizontal lines also help to give a sense of space. Their lines delineate sections of the landscape, which recede into space. They also imply continuation of the landscape beyond the picture plane to the left and right. Vertical lines often communicate a sense of height because they are perpendicular to the earth, extending upwards toward the sky. In this church interior, vertical lines suggest spirituality, rising beyond human reach toward the heavens. Horizontal and vertical lines used in combination communicate stability and solidity. Rectilinear forms with 90 angles are structurally stable. The stability suggests permanence and reliability.
Diagonal lines convey a feeling of movement. Objects in a diagonal position are unstable. Because they are neither vertical nor horizontal, they are either about to fall or are already in motion. The angles of the ship and the rocks on the shore convey a feeling of movement or speed in the stormy harbor seen. In a two-dimensional composition, diagonal lines can also indicate depth through perspective. These are the lines pulled of you were visually into the image. For example, in this photograph the diagonal lines leads the eye into the space to the point where the lines converge. The curve of a line can convey energy. Soft, shallow curves recall the curve of the human body and often have a pleasing, sensual quality and softening effect on the composition. The edge of the pool in this photograph gently leads the eye to the sculptures on the horizon. Sharply curved or twisted lines can convey turmoil, chaos, and even violence. In this culture, the lines of the contorting bodies in the serpent help convey the intensity of the struggle against the snake s stranglehold.
When repeated, lines can create a pattern. In this example the artist repeated different kinds of lines across the composition to create various patterns. Patterned lines also give the image rhythm.
Gesture drawing is a great way for anyone interested in learning to draw to get started right away. You don't need to know thing about drawing the figure to make registers. Supplies: Any drawing implement and paper. Here I've used a black ink sharpie worker on white construction paper. Remember to keep in mind that Sharpies tend to bleed through thin paper. Gestures are also awesome sketchbooks exercises. You can doodle gestures using a pen or pencil, any time of day, anywhere you go. For the purpose of learning how to draw people, I highly recommend asking someone to pose for you. Don't worry about trying to draw the details of what the person might be wearing. Focus instead on the major movements and the way the limits imposed. If no one will pose for you feel free to draw from the photographs. Just make sure you can see the entire figure within the picture. Assignment: Draw 10 Gesture drawings on regular art paper. Have a friend or family member pose for you. And remember: Bullet point just the basic outline shapes. Draw quickly and don t stress too much on details. It s all about hand eye coordination so concentrate.
Contour lines: Contour lines are outlines, actual lines like wrinkles, implied lines like the edges of the shadow or highlight (these usually defined where the surface curves or bends) and differences in value and color. Seeing edges or contours is a strange phenomenon. The only reason any edge is visible to the eye is because of the difference in value that exists between the two surfaces. An edge or contour is created when two values light in close proximity to each other. You may not have realized it, but the first thing we do when learning to draw is contour drawing. Contour drawing is another name for drawing the outline or edges of an object. With contour drawing, we are focusing on the edges. When contour drawing, the edges see very depending on your point of view. Therefore, when you are drawing an object, you need to select a viewpoint and stick to it. This means setting the object down, and sitting so that you can look from your object to your paper with minimal movement. You want to always have your head in the same place whenever you look at the object. In this way, the shapes will always look the same. Now simply walk your pencil point around the contours of the object you re drawing. Take your time, and try to match the speed of your pencil with the speed your eye is moving around the object.
Contour Drawing Assignment: (10 Drawings Total) Make 5 drawings of your non-drawing hand. In 3 of these, that hand must be holding a different object each time. Use a family member or interesting object from home to use as a model. Complete a minimum of five contour drawings of the object. You may switch objects or find objects around the room to draw. Drawing supplies: 2B pencil or a range of light and dark pencils Eraser OR a Fine Tip Marker The main outlines are drawn with a darker heavier line and the softer, implied lines or edges are drawn with a lighter mark. This was done with the same pencil simply by varying the pressure of the pencil on the page. You can also use a darker pencil for the darker lines and a later pencil for the lighter lines. Use an eraser to correct mistakes as you go. Below: for a challenge, use a fine tip marker. Any racer won t help you here, so be extra careful and deliberate as you draw.
Emotion Contour Drawing This assignment will give you the chance to try your hand at visual communication. Assignment: Without drawing recognizable symbols (e.g., no hearts, tears, or smiley faces, etc.), only lines, value & pattern, express each of the following emotions in small 2 x 2 drawings. Love Joy Anger Hate Sorrow Anxiety Additional, depict the themes of Male and Female in two drawings of 7 x 2
Love Joy Anger Hate Sorrow Anxiety Male Female
Contour Wrapped Animal Portrait Students will select a high interest animal portrait. After completing an accurate light line drawing the portrait will be finished using contours lines constructed of implied wrapping using pencil and pen The eyes will be completed in colored pencil. STEPS - This instructs you step by step on the procedures to follow so you may successfully complete this project. 1) Select a high interest animal portrait. Snarling animals are suggested. 2) Complete a light line drawing that is accurate and uses up at least ¾ of the paper surface. 3) A weaving type style/pattern is REQUIRED on this project. The wrapping should vary in length and width. This should be done to both create contrast in the weaving as well as work with the patterns of dark and light in your original image. 4) Once all the pencil work is completed carefully go over the lines with pen and ink. Fill in the negative spaces with ink 5) Begin shading the wrapping with your pencil. Think of how the light would work with the bottom, middle and top wrapping. Be careful to not smear your work. 6) Complete your drawing by completing lifelike eyes and possibly teeth