The use of lines represents one of the key fundamental tools for creating a drawing. Although simple in concept to make, these lowly marks have gone on to create some of the most famous line drawings in history; without lines, portraits like Pablo Picasso's "Francoise au Bandeau" couldn't exist. A well-executed line drawing can become a work of art in its own right.
Definition
A line drawing in art can be defined as a drawing which consists of only lines; the artist uses lines in such a way that the outline and primary aspects of an object emerge. Sometimes called the contour drawing, the line drawing captures the form on an object on the picture plane. Although many artists begin a drawing by making a line drawing and then adding other details like shading or color, a line drawing can also be quite detailed.
Line Qualities
Two types of line qualities exist---the static and the varied line. An artist has drawn a static line when all the lines are of the same weight and width. Using static lines in a line drawing results in a drawing in which the objects or surfaces seem solid and even. A varied line drawing is the opposite of the static line: the lines have different weights and thicknesses. Use of varied line in a line drawing creates a more dynamic drawing.
Line Direction
The direction of the lines in your line drawing serve a emotional as well as a pictorial function. An artist draws straight lines in a vertical, horizontal or diagonal direction. A line drawn in the vertical direction gives the line drawing a feeling of strength or permanence; a common example of this is a drawing of a tree. On the other hand, a horizontal line promotes a feeling of calm in drawing, because it replicates the line of the horizon or the sea. Finally, a line drawn diagonally across the picture plane creates an active, interesting drawing, because it conveys action.
Famous Line Drawing Artists
Some of the most famous artists in the world created line drawings and sketches. In addition to Picasso, artists like Henri Matisse, Eugene Delacroix, Rembrandt and Vincent Van Gogh all produced masterful line drawings. According to artist Bert Dodson in "Keys to Drawing," all artists create a type of handwriting in their drawing strokes. The way these artists draw lines are distinguishable from those other artists. Aspiring artists can attempt to copy the artist's line strokes in their own drawings. This helps not only learn how these artists made their own line art drawings, it teaches use lines more effectively in original line drawings, because it will be better understood how these artists used concepts like line direction and line quality to create master works.
