It is common knowledge that the moment we first picked up a pen and a paper, the first thing we drew was a line. Whether it was self-taught or someone guided you, we learn the many functions a simple line has to offer - it defines form and shape, it creates a structure, it traces the contour of a subject we're drawing, it divides a frame and it provides texture and tone to art.
Lines are not celebrated as much as it should be so we're recognizing its full beauty in this article. We'll show you the different types of line drawings you can employ at your own pace.
Lines are not celebrated as much as it should be so we're recognizing its full beauty in this article. We'll show you the different types of line drawings you can employ at your own pace.
Blind contour line drawing
Blind contour line drawing is a technique consisting of drawing lines without looking at the paper. This drawing technique forces you to study your subject closely, observe its details, shape and edges and mimic what you see with your hand while holding a pencil.
Rest assured that the goal of this technique is not perfection. It is an exercise to strengthen the connection between your eyes, your hand and your brain. It also stresses the very foundation of drawing - you must first learn how to see.
Watch the video below for a quick warm-up you can do at your own time:
Rest assured that the goal of this technique is not perfection. It is an exercise to strengthen the connection between your eyes, your hand and your brain. It also stresses the very foundation of drawing - you must first learn how to see.
Watch the video below for a quick warm-up you can do at your own time:
Timed line drawing or movement line drawing
This technique is designed to be completed fast. Usually accomplished in short duration such as 20, 40 or 60 seconds, timed or movement line drawing allows you to immediately focus on your subject's details and increase your drawing speed, confidence and mark-making skills.
It is best done using smooth mediums too so you can move your arm and hand fluidly. Set yourself up for a timed drawing challenge every once in a while and be surprised at how constantly you improve the way you capture details and complete them on paper.
Dancers, kids running or any subject doing a type of movement is a great subject for this technique.
It is best done using smooth mediums too so you can move your arm and hand fluidly. Set yourself up for a timed drawing challenge every once in a while and be surprised at how constantly you improve the way you capture details and complete them on paper.
Dancers, kids running or any subject doing a type of movement is a great subject for this technique.
Continuous line drawing
This technique is all about making lines without lifting the pencil from your paper. Besides doing outlines and internal shapes, the objective of this technique is for you to maintain your pencil's back and forth motion across the paper's surface. Lines may double back on each other, but it only means you're drawing just one free-flowing, unbroken line. This is why the result of this technique is often a hard-edged and fluid line.
Just like the other techniques we've discussed so far, continous line drawing improves your confidence and drawing speed. It also sharpens your hand-brain-eye coordination.
Just like the other techniques we've discussed so far, continous line drawing improves your confidence and drawing speed. It also sharpens your hand-brain-eye coordination.
Contour drawing
Contour drawing is, as the word so defines it, is showing the outlines, shapes and edges of your subject while omitting the finer details, color and tone. The goal of contour line drawing is to emphasize the volume of your subject rather than the details. Details become secondary while the illusion of three-dimensionality, space and distance comes to the fore.
This type of line drawing technique is also a great way of exercising perspective in art and varied line weights, meaning darker lines are made in the foreground while paler lines are made in the distance.
This type of line drawing technique is also a great way of exercising perspective in art and varied line weights, meaning darker lines are made in the foreground while paler lines are made in the distance.
Planar analysis line drawing
This line drawing technique simplifies curved surfaces into flat planes - with the use (of course) of straight lines. If you want to explore and practice Cubism, this technique will give you the proper warm-up and exercise. You get to think more of the underlying structure of your subject and have a rather mechanical version of its appearance as a result.
Check out this video below on how to draw a human head using the planar analysis technique.
Check out this video below on how to draw a human head using the planar analysis technique.
Learn line drawing
As you improve your drawing skills, it is essential you get to cover as many techniques as you can. Be as flexible an artist you can be and here at Art Smart, we can guide you as learn these different line drawing techniques and more. You can learn grid drawing, free-hand drawing, shading, acrylic on canvas painting and so much more.
Our schedule is right here below for your immediate reference:
Our schedule is right here below for your immediate reference:
Once you're ready to reserve your slot, please call us at 0917-8784766 / 02 -6160305 / 0915-5948191 / 0995-260 8927. Thank you and we hope to see you all in our studios!
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