13 Types of Lines and How to Use Them

Summary

This video script delves into the intricacies of drawing lines, emphasizing their significance beyond mere marks. It explores how lines convey shape, value, and edge, transitioning between various forms to create depth in artwork. The script introduces different types of lines, from symbolic to contour and construction lines, each serving unique artistic purposes. It also touches on how lines can communicate emotions and ideas, influencing the narrative of a piece. The instructor encourages daily practice to develop muscle memory for line control, aiming to help artists refine their skills and express their vision more effectively.

Takeaways

• 🎨 A line is more than just a line; it has shape value, edge, and can vary in thickness and darkness.
• 🖌️ Line quality comes from the combination of various elements like shape, edge, and value, and it improves with practice.
• 🔄 Lines can transition from one type to another, changing in shape, edge, and value throughout a drawing.
• 📚 The script introduces a drawing course that will teach how to control line qualities and use them effectively.
• 🆓 Some lessons are available for free on YouTube, while full access requires a subscription at proko.com.
• 🔤 Symbolic lines are used in icons, symbols, letters, and numbers, and they are fundamental in visual arts like comics.
• 👤 Contour lines are used to outline shapes and can be beneficial even in tonal drawings to emphasize or clarify forms.
• 📏 Construction lines, also known as gesture lines or guidelines, are used in the early stages of a drawing for proportions, form, and motion.
• 🌟 Rhythm lines connect elements in a composition, guiding the viewer's eye and showing flow.
• 🌈 Lines represent ideas and can be combined to create complex concepts and stories.
• 💭 As an artist's skills develop, they can use lines to communicate emotions and ideas beyond just replicating reality.

Q & A

What is the significance of a line in drawing according to the script?

A line in drawing is not just a simple mark but has a shape value, edge, and can vary in thickness and darkness. It is a fundamental element that artists control to create various effects and convey ideas.

How can a line transition in terms of shape and value?

A line can transition from thin to thick in shape and from light to dark and back to light in value. It can also have different edges, such as sharp on one end and soft on the other.

What is the purpose of the drawing Basics course mentioned in the script?

The drawing Basics course aims to teach how to control lines and use them effectively to represent different aspects of art, including shapes, shadows, measurements, and emotions.

How does the script suggest one can improve their line drawing skills?

The script suggests practicing line drawing daily, setting manageable goals, and challenging oneself to draw from life or from photographs.

What are symbolic lines as described in the script?

Symbolic lines are used to make up icons, symbols, letters, or numbers that are part of our daily visual language, such as in comics or written dialogue.

What role do contour lines play in drawing?

Contour lines are used to outline the shape of an object and can be used to emphasize or clarify features when drawing tonally.

How are construction lines different from other types of lines?

Construction lines, also known as land lines or guidelines, are used in the early stages of a drawing for various purposes like establishing proportions, showing depth, and indicating form.

What is the function of gesture lines in a drawing?

Gesture lines are used to represent the pose or motion of a subject, often used in loose sketches to capture the flow of a pose.

How can lines convey emotions in a drawing?

Lines can carry emotional qualities, and different types of lines can induce different emotional responses. For example, shaky lines might convey fear or anxiety.

What does the script suggest about the development of an artist's style?

The script implies that an artist's style, including line quality, develops over time and there is no right or wrong style. It is a personal development that varies among artists.

What advice does the script give for practicing drawing lines?

The script advises setting aside time for daily drawing practice, filling up a page with linear drawings from life, and not timing the drawings to allow for a natural flow.

Outlines

00:00

🎨 Understanding the Complexity of Lines in Art

The paragraph discusses the intricacies of drawing lines in black and white, emphasizing that lines are not just simple strokes but have a shape value, which refers to the lightness or darkness of the shape. It explains how the shape of a line can vary from thin to thick and the edge can transition from sharp to soft. The value can range from light to dark, and lines can transition from one type to another, affecting the overall visual impact. The paragraph introduces the concept of learning to control these elements through practice in a drawing course, which will be accessible both on YouTube and through a more comprehensive program. It also touches on how lines are used in various ways, such as symbolic lines in icons and letters, contour lines to outline shapes, and construction lines for early-stage drawings. The importance of lines in conveying ideas and emotions is highlighted, suggesting that as an artist's skills develop, they will naturally incorporate these elements into their work.

05:01

📚 The Communicative Power of Lines

This paragraph delves into how lines are used to communicate ideas and emotions in drawings. It suggests that lines are akin to letters that form words and sentences, conveying complex stories. The paragraph provides an example of how a simple circle can represent a head, and by adding construction and shading lines, the idea becomes more complex, representing a specific person in a certain light. It emphasizes that lines carry emotional qualities and can induce different feelings in viewers, although it's not an exact science. The paragraph encourages aspiring artists to study the work of various artists to understand how lines can convey different emotions. It concludes by stating that lines are more than just shapes with values and edges; they are essential tools for artists to represent various elements in their drawings and to guide the viewer's eye.

10:02

🖌️ Practicing Line Drawing for Artistic Growth

The final paragraph focuses on the practical aspect of improving line drawing skills. It encourages daily practice, suggesting that artists should challenge themselves by drawing from life, either outdoors or from objects at home. The paragraph provides a method for practicing, which involves looking at the subject for a minute, imagining it as a drawing, and then executing a few lines. This process is repeated until the drawing is complete, with each drawing taking between 5 to 30 minutes. The paragraph also mentions that the artist will be drawing along with the audience and posting the results for discussion. It concludes by promoting the ongoing drawing basics course, which includes lessons, projects, demonstrations, and critique videos, and invites viewers to join the community of students to learn to draw.

Keywords

💡Line

In the context of the video, a 'line' is not just a simple stroke but a fundamental element of drawing with its own shape, value, and edge. It serves as a tool to create contours, convey emotions, and build complex ideas. The video emphasizes that every line has a purpose and contributes to the overall artwork, whether it's used for outlining shapes, indicating value, or expressing emotions.

💡Shape Value

Shape value refers to how light or dark a shape appears, which is determined by the amount of light it receives. In drawing, this concept is crucial for creating depth and dimension. The video mentions controlling the shape value as an essential skill while drawing, as it helps in rendering the three-dimensional form on a two-dimensional surface.

💡Edge

Edge in the video script denotes the transition of borders in a drawing, which can be sharp, firm, or soft. It's how the boundaries of shapes are defined and can significantly impact the perception of an object's texture and form. The video suggests that controlling the edge is a skill that can enhance the realism and appeal of a drawing.

💡Contour Lines

Contour lines are used by artists to outline the shape of objects. The video explains that these lines are especially useful when starting to draw, as they help in capturing the basic form of what is being represented. They can be simple or combined with other lines to create more complex representations.

💡Construction Lines

Construction lines, also known as land lines or guidelines, are used in the early stages of a drawing to establish proportions, placement, and form. The video script mentions that these lines are not meant to be final but are essential for planning and structuring a drawing before adding details.

💡Gesture Lines

Gesture lines are quick, expressive strokes that capture the essence of a pose or motion. The video describes how these lines can be used to represent a dynamic form, such as an arm in motion, and are often prominent in loose sketches to convey energy and movement.

💡Shading Lines

Shading lines are used to create tonal variations and indicate value in a drawing. The video script explains that when many lines are placed closely together, they form shading that can suggest volume, texture, and light effects on the subject.

💡Cross Contour Lines

Cross contour lines wrap around forms to express the three-dimensionality of an object more clearly. The video mentions that these lines can indicate tone but primarily serve to follow the form closely, like a rubber band, to enhance the perception of depth.

💡Rhythm Lines

Rhythm lines are used to find connections between elements in a drawing, guiding the viewer's eye and showing flow within a composition. The video script uses the example of connecting knuckles in a hand to illustrate how rhythm lines can contribute to the overall harmony and movement of a piece.

💡Emotion

The video discusses how lines can carry emotional qualities, suggesting that the way a line is drawn can evoke different feelings. It mentions that while emotions can be complex and subjective, the use of certain line qualities, such as shaky or confident lines, can contribute to the emotional impact of a drawing.

💡Style

Style in the video refers to the unique way artists use lines to express their ideas and emotions. It is mentioned that there is no single 'right' style, and artists can have very different line qualities depending on their approach, whether it's precise and exact or loose and expressive.

Highlights

A line is not just a line; it has shape value, edge, and can vary in thickness and darkness.

A line can transition from one type to another, changing shape, edge, and value.

Drawing is difficult because it requires controlling multiple elements of a line simultaneously.

Good line quality comes from combinations of line elements that look good together.

With practice, line control becomes instinctive, allowing artists to focus on the subject.

Lines can be symbolic, making up icons, symbols, letters, or numbers.

Contour lines are used to outline the shape of objects, a technique often used by artists historically and by children naturally.

Shading lines indicate value or texture when many lines are placed closely together.

Cross contour lines express form more clearly by wrapping around it like a rubber band.

Construction lines, also known as land lines or guidelines, are used for various purposes in drawing.

Gesture lines represent a pose or motion, often used heavily in loose sketches.

A line of action captures the flow of a pose with a single line.

Rhythm lines find connections between things, guiding the eye and showing flow in a composition.

Lines represent ideas, and simple ideas can be combined to create complex ideas and stories.

Lines can convey emotions, though the emotional impact can be subjective and vary between individuals.

Artists have different line qualities depending on their style, with no right or wrong.

Lines are shapes with values and edges, used as placeholders for more complex ideas.

Lines can add emotion and guide the viewer's eye, even if they are not present in the final drawing.

Challenge yourself to draw every day to improve line control and artistic skills.

Transcripts

[Music]

so you might be thinking that a line is

just a line right no it's not just a

line what is wrong with you it is so

much more than that when drawing in

black and white every line you draw has

a shape value that's how light or dark

the shape is

and Edge those are the transitions of

the borders

the shape of a line can be thin or thick

or anything in between the edge can be

sharp firm or soft

the value can be anywhere in the range

from light to dark and you're supposed

to control all of that while you're

putting a mark down

yeah

and there's actually more to it don't

forget that a line can transition from

one type to another the shape can go

from thin to thick The Edge can be sharp

on top and soft on bottom or start

suddenly and taper out Softly on the

other end the value can start light and

go to dark and then back to light again

and that's why drawing is hard and

that's what we're going to learn how to

do in the next several lessons and

projects in my drawing Basics course

some of these lessons will be free here

on YouTube and if you want to get access

to the full versions of the lessons the

projects and demonstrations that I'm

providing to help you get good at

drawing that's all over at program

drawing and you're going to impress your

friends and your mom and you're going to

be so happy with yourself the good news

is you're never going to be thinking of

all that information when you put each

line down that's impossible you're only

human good line quality is when you have

combinations of all these elements that

look good and there's so many

combinations that look good it's not

like there's just one right answer in

each case eventually you won't even be

thinking about your lines you'll have

the muscle memory for good line control

and you'll just be thinking about the

qualities of the subject that you're

drawing because that's really what lines

are for well actually let's explore that

let's explore the different ways we use

lines symbolic lines make up icons

symbols letters or numbers that we use

on a daily basis like the alphabet

words do have their place in visual art

for example in comics dialogue or sound

effects are represented with words they

can be clean and legible or highly

stylized artists use contour lines to

outline the shape of something the

further back you go in history the more

artists use primarily outlines and

symbols in their art we tend to

gravitate to using contour lines to draw

something as kids we naturally start

drawing Contours When We Touch things we

can feel edges and our mind thinks of

them as lines even though that's not

what we actually see even if we're

drawing more tonally contour lines can

still be very beneficial to emphasize or

clarify something when we place many

lines together closely we create shading

lines that can indicate value or even

texture similarly cross contour lines

can indicate tone but they specifically

wrap around the form like a rubber band

to express the form even more clearly

sometimes a cross contour line doesn't

have a tonal purpose but rather it's

used early in a drawing to quickly

indicate volume in that case it's a

construction Line Construction lines

also known as land lines or guidelines

are a whole category of lines for

various purposes in the early stages of

a drawing we can use measuring lines to

establish proportions and placement with

angles

show depth and form with perspective

lines such as the cross Contours or XYZ

axis lines when something is simplified

down to a box we can also use gesture

lines to represent a pose or the motion

of something like an arm it can be

compressed with tension or relaxed and

flowy when you see someone do a loose

sketch it's usually very heavy on

gesture lines but not exclusively a line

of action is a gestural line that tries

to capture the flow of a pose with a

single line Rhythm lines are very

similar but they're used to find

connections between things to guide the

eye and show flow in a composition I can

find a rhythm that connects all the

knuckles in a hand but that's not the

gesture of the hand lines are pretty

freaking useful we're gonna start

learning and practicing contour and

construction lines pretty soon in this

course actually and the shading lines

will come later when we get into values

and edges lines represent ideas when

you're drawing a line remember that

you're not just drawing a line you're

communicating what that line represents

an idea

simple ideas are combined to create

complex ideas which are combined even

further to tell stories letters to words

to sentences to novels lines are like

letters

which is pretty funny because letters

are made up of lines

anyway here's an example a circle can

represent the cranium of the head that's

a simple idea add some construction

lines and you have a more complex idea

ahead in space

add shading lines to it and the idea

becomes even more complex a specific

person with specific lighting lines

don't just represent ideas about objects

in space

they can even convey

emotions line and emotion as your

artistic skills develop gradually let go

of the desire to Simply replicate

reality and instead try to communicate

the emotions and ideas that you want to

express lines whether we mean to or not

carry emotional qualities the thing is

emotions are really complicated and

often individual to each person two

people can have a different emotional

reaction to the same drawing so it's not

an exact science it's not like I can

show you a line and say well this this

is a happy line and this is a disgusted

line but lines can definitely add to the

emotional impact of a piece if your

drawing is supposed to induce fear and

anxiety you might want to use lines that

match that goal confident beautiful

tapering lines might not fit here but

shaky on certain lines that were drawn

by someone who is anxious and fearful

might help I keep saying might because

those same wobbly lines could be used to

have a comedic or childish effect lines

are just one tool that contribute to the

larger story of the work to get a better

understanding of the emotional qualities

of lines it could be helpful to look at

the work of different artists Heinrich

klei Bernie wrightson Glenn Keane Tim

Burton Claire Wendling Egon shealy Aaron

Blaze Eliza Ivanova Kim jong-gi Charles

Schultz George Harriman Bill Watterson

Charles Gibson James Montgomery flag

Carl Kapinski and of course my

instructor Jeff Watts these are all

great examples of how lines can convey

different emotions and there's hundreds

thousands more that I didn't mention if

you're yelling at the screen go ahead

leave a comment of your favorites and we

can get a more exhaustive list if you're

interested in exploring the emotional

impact of lines here's one thing you can

do look at various types of lines and

describe them with objective words what

do these lines look like broken up

zigzaggy Dynamic straight okay then see

how these words make you feel annoyed

angry uneasy and fearful happy calm

confident and bored you might have said

some different words than I did here and

viewers of your work might have

different interpretations of your work

that's fine in this course I'm not going

to teach you style that's something that

you'll develop on your own as you grow

and mature as an artist artists have

very different line qualities depending

on their style and there is no right or

wrong style some artists are more exact

and precise with their lines While

others are more expressive loose and

sketchy some artists are deliberate with

what their lines might say While others

kind of just go with the flow and draw

what they think looks good in conclusion

so lines are basically shapes with

values and edges we usually start our

drawings with lines they're quick

placeholders for more complex ideas

there are several ways that we use lines

to represent different things such as

shapes and shadows and measurements and

perspective and gesture and even words

and emojis they can add emotion and

guide the viewer's eye to parts of the

drawing even if the end result of your

drawing doesn't have any lines in it

lines can help you get there lines are

important so let's start practicing them

challenge yourself to draw every day see

if you can get into the routine of

drawing daily set aside a time put it in

your calendar if you're already drawing

every day then do something to challenge

yourself a little more

draw a bit longer but don't go too crazy

set a manageable goal so every day fill

up one page with linear drawings from

life you can either go outside and draw

something when inspiration hits or find

something at home and draw it take a

photo of your objects if you can

start by just looking at your subject

for one minute imagine it as a drawing

draw a few lines then look think and

execute repeat till you're done each

drawing can take 5 to 30 minutes but

don't time them I'll be drawing along

with you guys and posting them in this

lessons discussions over at proka.com

this lesson is part of my ongoing

drawing Basics course which you can get

at proko.com drawing you'll learn the

most important fundamental concepts for

drawing anything out of your imagination

or from reference the premium course

includes full-length lessons projects

demonstrations and critique videos

join the community of thousands of

students already enrolled in the course

and finally learn to draw that's over at

broker.com drawing thank you so much for

watching I'll see you next time