Art 101 - Line and Shape

Figure

= Dominance, can be created by contrasts in size, color, value, visual detail, textual emphasis, directional force, etc.

Positive Shapes

= Figure, the figures that viewers usually focus when they look at artwork

Rectilinear Shapes

Shapes made of straight lines

Example of Character (of line)

brush, stick, pencil, finger has distinctive characteristics.

Shapes

building blocks of art structure

Geometric shapes

circles, ovals, squares, rectangles, triangles, hexagons

Curvilinear Shapes

shapes made of curved lines

Calligraphic Lines

show individual qualities found in handwriting

Direction of Line

straight (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) zigzag, or curved

Line

the motion of a dot/the connection between that dot and another can suggest movement

Actual Line

the outer edges of shapes, emphasizing a sense of two-dimensionality

Location of Line

where it is located

Biomorphic Shapes

Organic or natural shapes made from rounded, curving, and undulated edges

Amorphous Shapes

Vague and unclear shapes

Objective Shapes

Realistic, representational

Transitional Line

Same as Psychological Line = sense of line created by the perception

Character of a Line

A visual surface quality of line related to the medium

Subjective Shapes

Abstract, non-objective, non-represntationonal

Illusion of depth

Can be created through - change of color - using linear perspective - overlapping

Gestural Drawing

Drawing with freely and quickly drawn lines without inhibition

Implied Line

Line that suggests the edge of an object, creating a sense of three-dimensionality

Psychological Line

Same as Transitional Line = sense of line created by the perception (could be a line implied by pointing or by gazing)

Measure and Types of Line

long, short, thick/straight, angular, or curved