Line Shape and the Principle of Contrast

Terms● Elements

○ The basic vocabulary of art- line, form, shape, volume, etc- basic vocabulary

● Principles ○ The ways elements of art are constructed in a work of art- the

grammar, like language, how words and rules create the structure of a sentence.

● Line○ A mark, or implied mark, between two endpoints

● Shape○ A 2-d area the boundaries are defined by lines or suggested by

changes of color or value● 2-Dimensional (2-D)

○ Having height and width ● 3-Dimensional (3-D)

○ Having height, width, and depth● Contrast

○ A drastic difference between such elements as color and value when they are placed together

● Outline○ The outermost line or implied line of an object, a boundary

● Plane○ A plat surface, often implied in the compostion

● Perspective○ The creation of the illusion of depth in a 2-d image by using a

mathematical projection system (1 point, 2 point, isometric)● Texture

○ The surface quality of a work, for example fine coarse, detailed,fuzzy

● Space○ The distance between identifiable points and planes

● Conceptual Art○ A work in which the communication of an idea or group of ideas

is the most important part of the work.● Automatic (drawing, painting, sculpture)

○ Suppressing conscious control to access subconscious sources of creativity and truth.

● Style○ A characteristic way in which an artist uses visual language to

give a work and identifiable form of visual expression. Styles formed around sets of ideas.

Terms cont.● Actual Line

○ A continuous uninterrupted line● Implied Line

○ A line not actually drawn but suggested● Rhythm

○ The regular or ordered repetition of elements in the work● Color

○ Optical effect caused when reflective white light of the spectrum is divided into separate wavelengths

● Volume○ The space filled or enclosed by a 3-D figure or object

● Pattern○ An arrangement of predictably repeated elements

● Highlight○ An area of lightest value in a work

● Positive shape○ A shape defined by its surrounding empty space

● Negative Space○ An empty space given shape by its surrounding contents

● Abstract○ Art imagery that departs from optically recognizable images of

the natural world

● Silhouette○ A portrait or figure represented in outline and solidly

color/shaded in.● Figure-Ground Reversal

○ The reversal of the relationship between one shape and its background, so that the figure becomes the background and the background becomes the figure

LineA line is the most fundamental element any artist uses.

Image, Left Wall of the Hall of the Bulls in the cave at Lascaux, France ca 16,000 bce

LineA line is the most fundamental element any artist uses.

Image: Nazca Spider, 500 bce Nazca Peru, 150’ long.

Lines define shapes, define boundaries between planes, Question: What physical qualities do the lines define?

LinePerspective, is the usage of some mathematical geometric system that creates the illusion of 3-D space on a two dimensional surface

● https://youtu.be/8Wrk9ewCOo0○ Instructional How to Perspective Draft

● https://youtu.be/XRrKohWdpeQ○ One point perspective

● https://youtu.be/yNq78n02fMQ○ 2 point perspective

● https://youtu.be/4V0pdAJTJgw○ Isometric drawing tutorial

LineIsometric projection is a method for visually representing three-dimensional objects in two dimensions in technical and engineering drawings. It is an axonometric projection in which the three coordinate axes appear equally foreshortened and the angle between any two of them is 120 degrees.

This drawing illustrates the use of a isometric grid used in mechanical drafting

LineIsometric projection is a method for visually representing three-dimensional objects in two dimensions in technical and engineering drawings. It is an axonometric projection in which the three coordinate axes appear equally foreshortened and the angle between any two of them is 120 degrees.

Drawing communicates ideas, as well as used to visualize what might be contained in a space clearly such as this illustration of an airplane engine

Expressions of LineA line can communicate freedoms and passions just as well as space and things.

Gego, a Venezuelan Artist came to prominence in the 1960-1970’s in an art movement/art style known as Geometric Abstraction

https://vimeo.com/171817458

Expressions of LineGego

Expressions of LineGego

Expressions of LineGego

Expressions of LineGego

Expressions of LineMel Bochner, Measurement: Plant, 1969.

Expressions of LineMel Bochner, Measurements: Room, 1995.

Expressions of LinePablo Valbuena, 'Dimensions (After Bochner)', 2014

Expressions of Line

Andre Masson, Automatic Drawing, 1925-26, ink on paper.

● https://youtu.be/__MohPEzNhY○ Andre Masson’s and how

Automatic is Automatic Drawing?

● ID, Ego, Superego● https://youtu.be/7vFf5CS27-Y●

Implied Lines and ShapesJesus Rafael Soto, Red Sphere, Caracas, Venezuela

Implied Lines and shapes

Jesus Rafael Soto

Directional LineFrancsico Goya, The Third of May, 1808

Directional/Leading Lines. They lead the viewer thru the scene

https://youtu.be/_QM-DfhrNv8

Communicative Lines. What does the artist want you to see

Line in Graphic DesignFed Ex Logo Nike Logo. How is line and shape being used in these designs?

Contour LineHenri Matisse, Self Portrait, 1944

Contour Line- lines that are the outer lines that suggest an enclosed volume

ShapeShape- a two dimensional area the boundaries are defined by lines or suggested by colors or value.

Value- Lightness or Darkness\

Color- Optical effect caused when reflected white light of the spectrum is divided into separate wavelengths

Contrast- difference between elements in a scene, by color or value.

Henri Matisse, The Parakeet and the Mermaid, 1952.

ShapeShape- a two dimensional area the boundaries are defined by lines or suggested by colors or value.

Value- Lightness or Darkness\

Color- Optical effect caused when reflected white light of the spectrum is divided into separate wavelengths

Contrast- difference between elements in a scene, by color or value.

Josef Albers, Color Study, Homage to the Square.

ShapeShape- a two dimensional area the boundaries are defined by lines or suggested by colors or value.

Value- Lightness or Darkness\

Color- Optical effect caused when reflected white light of the spectrum is divided into separate wavelengths

Contrast- difference between elements in a scene, by color or value.

Josef Albers, Color Study, Homage to the Square.

ShapeShape- a two dimensional area the boundaries are defined by lines or suggested by colors or value.

Value- Lightness or Darkness\

Color- Optical effect caused when reflected white light of the spectrum is divided into separate wavelengths

Contrast- difference between elements in a scene, by color or value.

Josef Albers, Color Study, Homage to the Square.

ContrastPositive and Negative space

Shepard Fairey, Obey 1996. Black features and blank white negative space work to create a graphic image of Andre the Giant

Active Learning Assignment

● In your sketchbooks, use the perspective drafting tutorials to try out some of the techniques provided. You can do this in class while i was talking or at home.