Project 1 – Line

This project focuses on the exploration and application of line, a fundamental element of art that serves various functions from defining form to creating texture and pattern. Through this exercise, students will delve into the versatility of lines and how they can be manipulated to convey different themes and emotions.

Line: a mark left by a dot or point moving over a surface. It is often an outline or contour, showing the edge of an object, or figure. They can be horizontal, vertical, diagonal, long, short, straight, curved, thick, thin, solid, dashed, blurred, uneven, sharp-edged and can create patterns. Line can be direct, implied or psychic.

7 primary functions of line

• to convey it’s own intrinsic beauty
• to limit or divide an area or space
• to delineate an idea or a symbol
• to define form by edge or contour
• to catch and direct the eye over a given course
• to produce a gray or tonal gradation
• to create design or arrangement 

Intro to Project 1/Design with line

Line: a mark left by a dot or point moving over a surface. It is often an outline or contour, showing the edge of an object, or figure. They can be horizontal, vertical, diagonal, long, short, straight, curved, thick, thin, solid, dashed, blurred, uneven, sharp-edged and can create patterns. Line can be direct, implied or psychic.

7 primary functions of line

1. to convey it’s own intrinsic beauty
2. to limit or divide an area or space
3. to delineate an idea or a symbol
4. to define form by edge or contour
5. to catch and direct the eye over a given course
6. to produce a gray or tonal gradation
7. to create design or arrangement 

Intro to Project 1/Design with line

1. Create 50, 1”x 1” squares in your sketchbook. Here’s a pdf sample with what you’re going for. You should also conduct your own research and find other samples online. Get inspiration from different textures, see what you can come up with and have fun with it!
   
   1. 50 squares will be due on the date on the syllabus
2. Chose a theme, i.e. film, music, art; or any subgenre; i.e. film-action, film-horror, etc.; music-rock, hip-hop, classical, etc.
   1. your theme will define your artwork and the research you will need to conduct for this project.
3. You will need to find few photographs that will support your theme. You can print the photos for your convenience, or you can use your phone.
   1. Here are some guidelines on how to chose a successful photo.
      1. Chose a photo that is not complex in detail.
      2. Chose a photo that has a full range of values: meaning it has enough of gray between the lightest light and the darkest dark.
      3. Chose a photo that is not too soft. Softer images are harder to draw from especially for beginning students. 
4. Create 3-5 thumbnails (small sketches about 2×3 inches) where you will explore the theme. How can you represent a particular theme? If it’s music, chose something you can focus on, maybe an artist or a musical instrument. This will be your “focal point.” Other elements will support that focal point and draw the viewer’s attention to it.
   1. Chose what represents the theme you settled on.
   2. Research your idea and collect as much visual references you can for it (it’s better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it).
   3. Select elements that will help visually communicate your theme; i.e. film – cameras, film reels, film strip, director’s chair, etc.; music – instruments, music sheet, sound wave, etc.
      1. in your design, use the elements to tie in the whole design together. 
5. The final composition will be 10″x12″ inches. It can be either horizontal or vertical, that will depend on your design.
   1. Create 2″x2″ squares that will be 6 squares by 5 squares.
6. Composition from your thumbnails.
   1. Once you have settled on the thumbnail you like, you will need to enlarge it and create a more detailed version. 
   2. Chose squares from the 50 you have created to fit for those areas. You can manipulate your marks and lines, you can make them larger or smaller to make the value lighter or darker.
      1. TIP The closer your lines are to each other, the darker they will appear when inked, the farther apart, the lighter they will look.
   3. Make it proportional to the final. You can make 1/2 inch squares, or 1 inch squares. When you’re done, this will help you enlarge it to the final 2×2 inch squares. 
   4. Make sure that you are working with squares RECTANGLES WILL NOT WORK AND WILL THROW OFF YOUR PROPORTIONS. 
   5. Draw a rough composition in your sketchbook and arrange values according to your photograph.
7. Draw, or transfer your composition to the Bristol board and ink it.

Here is a link to a video demonstrating the process.

https://youtu.be/dF014xEZkFg