Describe How a Career in Animation Requires an Understanding of Lines in Art

Final Updated on March 17, 2022

When we first picked upwardly a pen or pencil and started making marks on paper, we began with line. Whether self-taught, through trial and error, or guided past others, we learned how line defines form, creates structure, divides a frame, traces contour, creates tonal variation (cantankerous-hatching, for instance) and leads the eye from one part of a work to another. Initially a mechanism for getting outlines onto paper – identifying edges – nosotros begin to applaud lines for their own merit: celebrate their presence…whether a quiet flick of charcoal on newspaper or a streak of graphite.

This article contains exercises for Art students who wish to produce contour line drawings, cross contour drawings, blind drawings and other types of line drawings. It is a teaching aid for high school Art students and includes classroom activities, a free downloadable PDF worksheet and inspirational artist drawings.

Blind Contour Drawing

Definition: A blind contour drawing contains lines that are drawn without e'er looking at the slice of paper. This forces you to study a scene closely, observing every shape and edge with your eyes, as your manus mimics these on paper. The aim is non to produce a realistic artwork, but rather to strengthen the connection between eyes, hand and brain: a reminder that, when drawing, you must kickoff learn to see.

Blind Drawing Exercises: Blind drawing is an excellent way to offset a high school Art program. Drawing wobbly lines that deport fiddling resemblance to the chosen object is relaxing and stress-costless. Frequently, a classroom bubbling with laughter at the unexpected results. Blind drawing stretches the artillery and soul; eases y'all into observational drawing without fear.

A warm-upwards activity in which students were asked to create blind contour line drawings of shell (teaching exemplar by the Student Fine art Guide). These blind drawings were included in the first preparatory sheets submitted past CIE IGCSE Fine art and Blueprint students.

Gesture Cartoon / Timed Cartoon / Movement Drawing

Definition: A gesture drawing is completed chop-chop – often in short timed durations, such as twenty, thirty, 60 or 90 seconds – using fast, expressive lines. Gesture drawings capture basic forms and proportions – the emotion and essence of a subject – without focusing on item. Due to their rapid completion, they are a great way to record movement and action, besides as increment your drawing speed, conviction and intuitive marking-making skill. Gesture drawings are all-time completed with smooth, easily practical mediums (mesomorphic graphite pencils, charcoal sticks, pastels, soft brushes dipped in Indian ink, for example), without the use of an eraser. They are often completed on large, inexpensive sheets of paper, where you tin can move your arm fluidly, exist bold with marker-making, and not worry near mistakes. Equally with blind drawings, gesture cartoon is an platonic warm-upwards activity.

Gesture Cartoon Exercises: When you begin investigating your bailiwick affair in the initial phase of a high school Art programme, it tin be helpful to make several first-hand gestural drawings. The best of these can be selected for your final portfolio (taking advantage of a photocopier or digital camera to reduce in size, if necessary). A small yet life scene tin be depicted merely equally easily as a large moving course.

A gesture cartoon past Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn:

This gestural drawing by Rembrandt is completed using blood-red chalk on rough, textured paper. With but a few expressive lines, nosotros instantly recognise the scene: two women teaching a child to walk.

A gestural effigy drawing past Chelsea Stebar:

Completed while studying Animation, this gesture drawing captures a clothed figure. Note the variation in line weight: light lines applied initially, with darker lines and hints of particular all that are needed.

Continuous Line Drawing

Definition: A continuous line drawing is produced without e'er lifting the cartoon instrument from the page. This means that, in improver to outlines and internal shapes, the pencil must move dorsum and along beyond the surface of the paper, with lines doubling dorsum on each other, and then that the drawing is 1 free-flowing, unbroken line. To avoid the temptation to erase lines, it can be helpful to complete a continuous line drawing with an ink pen, varying the line weight, as needed, to indicate perspective and areas of light and shadow. Like the cartoon methods described above, this drawing method develops confidence and drawing speed, and encourages your optics and hand and brain to work together. Continuous line drawings work best with in-depth observation of your subject, without interference from your thinking mind. Co-ordinate to Smithsonian Studio Arts:

…continuous line cartoon is really a very powerful manner to create a piece that is both hard edged and fluid, representational and abstract, rational and emotional all in one.

Continuous Line Drawing Exercises: This drawing method is great for sketchbooks and drawing from life. Information technology tin can exist an excellent starter action, with drawings completed on big, inexpensive newspaper that tin be scanned / edited / cropped and used in other ways within your projects.

An A Level Art sketchbook page by Lucy Feng from Hereford Sixth Form Higher, Herefordshire, UK:

This beautiful sketchbook page contains several continuous line drawings, drawn from outset-hand observation.

Contour drawing

Definition: A contour drawing shows the outlines, shapes and edges of a scene, but omits fine detail, surface texture, color and tone ('contour' is French for 'outline'). Co-ordinate to Wikipedia:

The purpose of profile cartoon is to emphasize the mass and volume of the subject rather than the particular; the focus is on the outlined shape of the subject and not the minor details.

The illusion of three-dimensional form, space and altitude tin be conveyed in a contour drawing through the apply of varied line-weight (darker lines in the foreground / paler lines in the distance) and perspective.

Profile Drawing Exercises: Using line solitary eliminates the claiming of applying tone, colour and mediums; and instead focuses attention solely upon shape and proportion. Afterwards completing warm-upwards activities such equally blind and gesture drawings, slower, more formal contour drawings can be an excellent mode to begin more realistic representations of your discipline matter. Used intermittently throughout projects, contour drawings tin also be helpful for the student who needs to work faster.

A contour cartoon by Ultima Thule:

Modernistic line drawings by Ultima Thule: there is a slick contrast in this cartoon betwixt the abrupt black lines and the dripping green. The application of colour to 1 area creates a dramatic focal indicate.

Cross contour drawing

Definition: A cross contour drawing contains parallel lines that run across the surface of an object (or radiate from a central point), such as those that announced on a topographical map or a digital wireframe. The lines can run at any advisable angle (sometimes at multiple angles) and may continue across objects and into the background. Cross contour drawings typically follow the rules of perspective, with lines fatigued closer together in the distance and further autonomously in the foreground. In this type of drawing, the illusion of three-dimensional volume is created entirely with line.

Cross Profile Drawing Exercises: This is an excellent fashion to gain familiarity with the volumes and iii-dimensional forms in your project, producing analytical cross contour drawings that are suitable for sketchbooks or early on preparatory sheets.

Cross contour cartoon of a shell by Matt Louscher:

This fragile cross profile drawing helps to communicate the bumpy surface of the vanquish. Note how the shell pieces that are furthest abroad from the viewer are sparse and light, whereas those that are closest are darker and thicker. Note besides how the direction of the contour lines relates to the shape of object that is drawn, with lines projecting outwards from the center of the shell.

Cross contour hand drawings past (from left) Mathew Young, Ryan Acks and Lea Dallaglio while studying at the San Jose Land University, Department of Art and Art History:

Easily are a great field of study for a cross contour line drawing exercise. Hands can create interesting, complex, curving shapes, equally in the examples above, and are readily available for get-go-paw observation. Note how the density and weight of the line also helps to communicate areas of light and shadow.

Cantankerous contour drawings by Daniel Servin (left) and Alfred Manzano, completed while studying AP Studio Fine art at Mt Eden High Schoolhouse in Hayward, California, USA:

These cross profile drawings were completed as office of Breadth assignments for AP Studio Art. These drawings show clever use of line thickness, with the line-weight varying in order to create the illusion of tone and evidence 3-dimensional form.

A wireframe contour drawing exercise by Yr nine student Seonmin Lee from ACG Parnell College, Auckland, New Zealand:

Contour lines can besides be a great mode for students to design three-dimensional forms. These drawings were completed as office of a papier mache sculpture projection, with the contour lines representing the supporting pikestaff structure.

Planar analysis drawing

Definition: A planar assay drawing simplifies circuitous curved surfaces into flat planes, using straight lines. This process helps students to retrieve about the underlying structure of objects and results in an analytical cartoon, that is rather mechanical in appearance.

Planar Analysis Drawing Action: This can be a great introductory drawing exercise, especially if you are moving towards Cubism or abstracting scenes into geometric grade.

A planar analysis portrait completed past a educatee of Cat Normoyle:

The symmetry and familiarity of the human face makes portraiture a great subject field for planar analysis; the task of converting complex three-dimensional course into flat surfaces. Note the conscientious attention given to the olfactory organ and lips in this example.

Wire sculpture drawings

Definition: Wire can be cut and bent into shapes with pliers to create three-dimensional 'drawings', often resulting in a work filled with flowing, curved lines. These wire sculptures can exist fastened to a two-dimensional frame or a flat surface, hung in the air, or exist left gratis-standing, changing in appearance as a viewer moves around the room. Due to their flexible nature, wire sculptures often motion slightly in the wind, adding an actress interactive element to the piece of work.

Wire Sculpture Line Drawing Practice: This is an fantabulous action for middle schoolhouse students and for high school students, if it relates specifically to your projection (and does not interfere with postage requirements, for those who demand to mail service piece of work away for assessment). Small-scale wire experiments, using lite-weight wire, can as well be mounted to sketchbook pages.

Wire sculptures completed by the students of Amy Bonner Oliveri from Allendale Columbia School, Rochester, New York, Us:

This wire drawing practise 'using line to create space' is completed by students within a 3D Art class, working over photographic portraits. Having a base image to work from (this could also be an earlier observational drawing) makes the process of transferring from two-dimensional to iii-dimensional much easier.

Hatching, cross hatching, and other line techniques

Besides as representing contours, line can also be used to apply tone (light and shadow) to a cartoon. This can be washed by altering the:

• Gap between the lines
• Lightness / darkness of the line
• Thickness of the line

At that place are many line techniques can be used to create tone, as illustrated in the worksheet below. Common techniques include:

• Modest dashes
• Hatching (long, parallel lines on an angle)
• Cross-hatching (parallel lines at right angles)
• Stippling (dots)
• Scribbles
• Small-scale crosses
• Pocket-size circles

The bending that these techniques are practical may remain constant within a drawing, or it may change in response to the angle and direction of the forms. For example, cross-hatching may menstruation around the surface of an object in a like direction as cross contour lines. These techniques are also a great way to create the illusion of texture (see our article about observational drawings).

Line Techniques Worksheet: The worksheet below has been provided past the Student Art Guide for classroom use only and may be issued freely to students (credited to studentartguide.com), as well as shared via the social media buttons at the bottom of this page. Information technology may not be published online or shared or distributed in whatsoever other way, equally per our terms and conditions. The total size printable worksheet is available by clicking the PDF link beneath. This worksheet is suitable for middle school students, or senior students who have not had prior experience with line techniques.

This worksheet introduces a range of line drawing techniques and encourages students to invent their own (such every bit using the first letter of their name). Information technology allows students to practise using these techniques and to apply tone to a range of simple geometric objects.

Click here to open the total size worksheet as a printable PDF.

An Indian Ink still life cartoon past Kirana Intraroon, completed while in Year 10 at ACG Strathallan College, Auckland, New Zealand:

In this ink drawing, a minor grid experimenting with different line techniques has been included in the top left of the work. Some of these have been selected to apply tone to the piece of work, advisedly replicating reflection and shadow. This paradigm was completed using a sharpened bamboo stick dipped in black ink.

An A* GCSE Art sketchbook folio past Samantha Li:

In this sketchbook page Samantha imitates and analyses a line drawing by Vincent van Gogh, discussing the suitability and appropriateness of each technique. Note that when learning from artists, it is rarely necessary to slavishly copy an entire work; replicating minor pieces (as in this instance) is oftentimes all that is needed.

A concluding GCSE Art piece by Hannah Armstrong:

This enormous pen cartoon of a Baryonyx dinosaur measures 1.2 x 2.i metres, and took over 70 hours to complete. Information technology was the dramatic conclusion to a Year 11 high school Art projection.

Artist line drawings

Hither is a collection of line drawings from famous and less well known artists, to inspire high schoolhouse Fine art students and teachers. This section is continually updated. Enjoy!

Pablo Picasso:

Line drawings by Picasso: a serial of drawings showing the progression from realistic form to a few curving lines. Tone and item accept been eliminated: the bull stripped dorsum to its essence.

Andy Warhol:

Pop artist Andy Warhol is famous for his brightly coloured silkscreen artworks; however he was also a rampant drawer – often filling sketchbooks. He won many prizes for the drawings he produced in high school. The illustrations shown in a higher place – comprising of slightly smudged and blotchy black lines – have Warhol's typical off-beat fashion. They were completed using a basic printmaking technique: pressing sheets of paper into a moisture ink drawing, transferring the image to the 2d sheet.

David Hockney:

Famous creative person David Hockey has produced many line drawings – ofttimes portraits. He draws in silence, with precision and care, moving a black ink pen across the paper quickly. This portrait – a snapshot into Hockney'due south life – is entitled 'Eugene and Henry'.

Vincent van Gogh:

Near famous for his post-impressionist paintings, Vincent van Gogh too produced over a thousand drawings. In this pen and pencil line cartoon, 'Cottages With a Adult female Working in the Foreground', we run into the stylistic swirling of line in the trees and clouds that is and then characteristic of his well-known paintings. Capturing the swirling of the trees and the motion of the clouds, van Gogh represents the lite falling across the textured landscape with quick, confident mark-making.

Leonardo da Vinci:

These precise anatomical line drawings past famous artist Leonardo da Vinci prove the internal construction of a human scalp, skull and heart. Facial proportions are carefully mapped out and documented in the epitome to the right; the drawings surrounded by annotation and enlarged details.

Aaron Earley:

Cross-contour line drawings by Aaron Earley: graphite lines of diverse weights trace over the contours of the face, clearly conveying emotion, despite the lack of tone and detail.

Peter Root:

Contemporary line drawings past Peter Root: a series of straight graphite lines is used to create a curvaceous, flowing abstruse class.

Maurizio Anzeri

Contemporary artwork by Maurizio Anzeri: a portrait overlaid by a mass of stitched radial lines, veiling the image within.

Tornwing:

Cross contour line drawings by Tornwing: black lines of different thicknesses flow around three-dimensional forms. The strong contrast in this drawing creates a hit graphic image.

Karolina Cummings:

Gestural line drawings past Karolina Cummings: dramatic and brilliant, capturing form in rapidly scrawled, fluid line.

Daniel Mathers

Scribbled line drawings past Daniel Mathers: an explosion of insanity with a black pen.

Roz McQuillan:

Sensitive line drawings by Roz McQuillan: the dissimilarity between the rendered siamese cat and the white true cat formed (formed from a few lite lines) draws yous in to this quiet comprehend.

Wang Tzu-Ting:

Pencil drawings by Wang Tzu-Ting: an overlapping sequence of drawings, using lines that guess tonal boundaries, set on a running wash of acrylic. A stunning prototype.

Nina Smart:

Painterly line drawings past Nina Smart: what appears to be an abstract artwork of smudged and messy pigment lines is, upon closer inspection, an accurate and well-proportioned equus caballus. This work was created using a big pipette, cling wrap and a pallet knife.

Andy Mercer:

Expressive line drawings by Andy Mercer: this mixed media cartoon contains a mass of lines that create the illusion of a decorated city scene – a tangle of architectural form.

Vital Photography:

Line drawings by Vital Photography: this image has been pared back to its most basic – lines representing the edges of form. Without whatsoever background to speak of, this collection of marks is enough to communicate a message with ease.

Doug Bong

Scribbled line drawings past Doug Bell: a portrait beautifully crafted from a tangle of lines.

Matthew Dunn:

Line drawings by Matthew Dunn: graphic in nature, this monkey appears to be hacked from a wooden board or lino cut. White scrawls on a black ground; open up oral fissure with horror.

Rod McLaren:

Line drawings past Rod McLaren: I virtually didn't give this drawing another glance – but for some reason I was transfixed by this black scribble, peculiarly when I saw information technology was called 'underground train cartoon'. There is wonder in information technology. And nothing. Endless swirls of zilch.

Andreas Fischer:

Line drawings by Andreas Fischer: the earth it turns: thick, colourful, globular painterly lines.

Nicholas Weltyk:

Blind line drawings past Nicholas Weltyk: a wobbly yet controlled continuous line defines grade in this emotive drawing.

Swoon:

Street art by Swoon: a tightly woven mesh of paper cutting lines.

Liliana Porter:

Experimental line drawings by Liliana Porter: perhaps this person is scrawling beyond the sky; maybe they are belongings onto a mammoth scribble in the style one might concord onto a wild airship. Either mode, this drawing is typical of Liliana Porter's artworks. Fun, exciting and cool.

Hong Chun Zhang:

Line drawings by Hong Chun Zhang: this huge hair drawing hangs down the wall and drapes across the flooring. Impressive in calibration, this drawing is the ultimate depiction of long, tightly braided line.

Bruce Pollock:

Line drawings past Bruce Pollock: finely interlocking mesh of lines creates an intricate and mesmerising pattern.

David Eskenazi

Line drawings by David Eskenazi: the boundaries of space and all that is in between.

Matt Niebuhr:

Line drawings past Matt Niebuhr: a shimmer of tightly meshed smudged and erased graphite line.

Albrecht Durer:

Line drawings by Albrecht Durer: a walrus

Il Lee:

Line drawings by Il Lee: whoever knew the scribbling of a blue biro pen could result in such magic.

Victoria Haven:

Geometric line drawings by Victoria Haven: conscientious, ordered lines of blue h2o colours (title: 'all in all is truthful') create the illusion of architectural form; twisting, turning infinite.

Carne Griffiths:

Line drawings past Carne Griffiths: this work is spun with lines…the fine pencil layer that teases out from beneath the colour; the jagged vertical drips that streak down towards the flooring; the carefully etched eyebrows and lashes and hair.

William Anastasi:

Line drawings by William Anastasi: while blindfolded, Anastasi drew on a wall with graphite for an hour.

Charles Avery

Line drawings by Charles Avery: the illusory combining of hair with perspective lines vanishing towards a horizon make for a powerful paradigm.

Did you savour this commodity? Yous may wish to read 11 Tips for Producing an Excellent Observational Drawing.

Amiria has been an Art & Design teacher and a Curriculum Co-ordinator for seven years, responsible for the form design and cess of educatee work in two high-achieving Auckland schools. She has a Bachelor of Architectural Studies, Bachelor of Architecture (First Class Honours) and a Graduate Diploma of Didactics. Amiria is a CIE Accredited Art & Design Coursework Assessor.

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Source: https://www.studentartguide.com/articles/line-drawings-2

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