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Types of Lines in Art: Guide to Line Art and Contour Drawing

Welcome, young artist! Would you like to learn all the basics of drawing lines and develop your sketching skills to the next level? Look no further! In this guide, we will examine different types of lines in art and how to create good line art and contour creations. So grab a sketchbook you like, anything that draws well with pencils, and let’s begin!


What is Line Art?


Line art is a category whose main characteristic hinges on the lines that can be used to capture an image or an emotion. Through line types, artists can achieve things such as texture, Strokes, Volumes, Form etc. Some of the examples of line art might just be a stick figure while others might be a detailed pen and ink picture. In reality, line art is all about using straight lines to convey as much of yourself as possible.


Types of Lines in Art


Artists apply many kinds of lines to achieve the mere theatrical lines of line art. Let us look at some of these lines and the peculiarities of representing them.

1. Thick and Thin Lines

Line art is divided into thick and thin lines. Depending on how thick the lines are drawn, artists can produce some texture, add a contrasting outline, and make the picture look three-dimensional. Try using different pencil leads or ink nibs to determine which pencil lead size and ink thickness give the best results.

2.  Straight and Curved Lines

Line art also needs straight and curved lines as well. Also, lines can be straight, where they can be used to create edges, structures, or even horizons. Isolation and giving it simplicity and a natural look is done by the curved lines that show contrast movement.

3.  Short and Long Lines

The length of the lines can also help determine the feel that is created in the drawing itself. When the lines are short, it tends to promote tension and when they are long it gives calmness or show movement. Play with the line length to understand which lengths have an impact on the mood and energy of art.

4.  Continuous and Discontinuous Lines

Cohesion comes from open lines which are solid contact between one point and another. Continuous lines are pieced together that are broken lines making the lines appear broken and therefore more broken. Tight, pink-line pictures should be used for linear, unwavering kinds of images, but random, dotted-line images are best for unclear shatters or fractured pictures.

5.  Light and Dark Lines

Value or lightness and darkness of the lines in relation to line art should also be taken. Sometimes, light lines make your artwork look more delicate and lightweight, and dark lines add depth to your artwork. There are various types of shading that you can try mostly hatching or cross-hatching type of shading that you can use to make the line art very contrasted so it feels more textured.


Contour Drawing


Having learned about the classification of lines in art, let’s proceed right into the concept of contouring. Contour drawing is a technique where a young artist puts considerable effort into hugging an object’s curve with a line. This method can be applied to make refined line drawings or before the main draw to develop the skills of observation.

To create a successful contour drawing, follow these steps:

– Choose your subject: Choose something you would like to draw. It could be fruit or even a landscape with many sub-areas involved which will be discussed later in this paper.

– Start with light lines: Relax and with the pencil (or other written drawing tool) start loosely drawing the bigger contours and outlines of the subjects.

– Observe closely: On each of your drawings pay special attention to the object that you are drawing and try to curve the pen or pencils on your work as carefully as you can.

– Refine your drawing: When you are done with all the contour lines make the lines darker and smoothen them to make your line art.


SkriblBox: Truly the Best Bugtraq Site for Line Art Fans


SkriblBox is, therefore, an online article bank, created to assist artists, beginners and experienced, to find information on drawing skills, styles and processes. At SkriblBox, select tutorials, tips and valuable resources for anybody interested in mastering their art skills. Regardless of how new you are to art, or how many pieces you have created, SkriblBox is a forum that will help enhance your knowledge of line art and contours.


Conclusion


Now that you know what kinds of lines are found in artworks and the generalities of contour drawing it’s time to see more examples and practice! Take your sketchbook and practice different line skills in order to practice what can become your recognisable style. Disregard the above make sure that you are consistent and patient as you practice. Continue practicing and you’ll be producing magnificent line art and fascinating contour drawings. Happy drawing!