Line is the first basic Element of visual art. Line can be defined as a point moving in any direction. What it means is that if you draw a point and you extend it any direction it becomes a line. Whenever we say line, the first thing that comes into our mind is a straight line but a line could be Straight, curved, short, long, zig-zag, thin or thick, dotted and so on.

Line is what helps us to draw different things, line is what helps you create a shape, when a line is repeated you create a pattern.

Lines can be used to create an entire composition. Variety of lines can be used to create emotions in your composition. Think of the children’s book Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson where Harold goes on such an adventure imagining what his purple crayon lines could draw! That’s the importance of lines in any composition.

Contour and Cross-contour lines are used in art to create value( shadows and highlighting) and form ( illusion of  3-Dimension on a 2-Dimensional surface).

Think of all the different kinds of lines possible! Try to create an entire composition using these different lines!

Line Lesson Exercises:

1.Try and think of  5-10 different kinds to lines possible.

2. Create 5-10 different patterns using different kind of lines.

3. Draw an animal or object of your choice. Use line pattern on it to create your composition.

Below is the step-by-step link  to draw a bird

HOW TO DRAW ABIRD STEP-BY-STEP

4. Draw a landscape of your choice and compose it using Line patterns.

5. Advanced:

Draw any simple Still-life object of your choice. Use Contour and Cross-contour lines  to create value and form to the object.