Line Unit

Line Unit

Materials:

newsprint
media boxes

Terms and Ideas:

• discuss definitions
• discuss difference between outline contour, and cross contour
• discuss line “emotion”

Lesson Exercises & Board Directives:

line n. 1. The path traced by a moving point. 2. A thin continuous mark, as that made by a pen, pencil, or brush applied to a surface. 3. A real or imaginary mark positioned in relation to fixed points of reference. 4. A border, boundary, or demarcation. 5. A contour or an outline. 6. Any of the marks that make up the formal design of a picture.

con•tour n. 1. a. The outline of a figure, body, or mass. b. A line that represents such an outline. (drawn example)

OUTLINE CONTOUR

1. Pick a view of the room that includes at least three classmates. Pay attention to how the contour lines of one mass interacts with another.
2. Draw only the outline (outside lines) of each figure, body, or mass. If several small masses are in proximity to each other – treat them as one mass. (drawn example)
3. Fill your entire paper. Do NOT work extremely small and centered on your paper.

CROSS CONTOUR

Cross contour drawings are when you draw every line that you see in a study. The only thing a cross contour line drawing lacks, when compared to a normal drawing, is the use of value. (drawn example)

CONTINUOUS

Continuous line drawings involve focus. In this style of line drawing you have one simple thing to be sure NOT to do; lift your pencil. A continuous line drawing is exactly that – a continual line that eventually makes up the entire picture. Are you up to the challenge?

(drawn example)

BLIND

Blind line drawings, like continuous line drawings, require focus. These drawings always end up bringing out the laughter, and really aim to push the mind’s ability to envision what it is drawing. For this exercise, your view of your paper will be blocked by a drawing board – held by your partner. Keep in mind the skills you learned while doing the contour and continuous line drawings.

UPSIDE DOWN

Upside down drawing are meant to change our way of thinking by taking a small amount of a drawing at a time, but this time, we are turning the picture upside down and concentrating on the lines shown and taking the drawing piece by piece.