The Use of Line in Art

The use of line in art gives you another way of portraying that brilliant idea you just came up with! 

Do I hear you say you're all out of brilliant ideas?!  I know, sometimes it happens! 

But, if you're interested in the line element, one way of getting those creative juices flowing again is to see what famous artists do with it.

So let's take a look at some different kinds of line and see how and why artists use them...

The Curved and the Jagged 

See the way Hokusai has turned those beautiful, fluid, curved lines of the water into jagged, claw-like lines for the menacing wave-edges?

Mount Fuji looks on, framed in the curving wave. Will those Japanese sailors make it through okay?  We're not at all sure! The whole artwork gives us an unsettled feeling enhanced by his use of those jagged lines.

The Horizontal Line

In contrast, here's the sea in peaceful mood. Winslow Homer works his magic with his use of horizontal lines, giving a calm and expansive feeling to the subject.

The ripples on the water, the boat, the distant land and the lower line of clouds are all horizontal.  They all help to portray a sense of peace -  with just a hint of gentle movement suggested by the diagonal line of the oars.

The Diagonal Line

How about this for dynamic movement? This is what diagonal lines can do for you!

The rearing horse is on a diagonal line from the bottom right to top left corner. Da Vinci does all his shading with diagonal lines going in that same direction. And see the way the figure is turning the horse's head with that taut diagonal of the rein?

The opposite diagonal of the sword balances the composition and adds to the whole feeling of  energy and dynamic action. 

This was a study for a statue that was never executed. But in this drawing, incorporating the use of diagonal lines, we are allowed a glimpse of the vital energy Da Vinci envisioned for his bronze masterpiece.

The Vertical Line

If you want to convey strength, height, power (even spirituality - think of those towering Gothic cathedrals reaching for the sky) the vertical line is your best friend!

We hardly need to see the tiny figures in this painting to feel the grandeur of those mighty trees. The soaring vertical lines and the vertical canvas all emphasise height, strength, and the trees' powerful, upward growth towards the light.

Of course, the use of line in art doesn't have to be representational - it's an important tool if abstracts are your thing.

As one of the foremost proponents of Op Art (optical art), Bridget Riley did things with flat, painted lines in the 1960s and 70s that shifted, weaved and dazzled your eyes.

But this calmer, vertical painting still seems to twist and grow upwards as your eye tries to follow the curving lines.

Also, if you're interested in colour, we can see here that her use of complementary colours helps the illusion of movement. (Click here for more on complementary colors.)

The Outline

Sometimes a simple outline says it all. Here, with just a few lines, Picasso creates a striking and immediately recognisable image.

To hone your observational skills, you could practice drawing objects or scenes with as few lines as possible. You may not always want your drawings to be this pared down, but it's excellent training for your eye - to pick out the essentials and leave the rest.

The Implied Line

The use of line in art can be implied and not immediately obvious.

In this painting by Norman Rockwell, see the implied line of sight from the watchers on the hill to the vanishing ship in the distance?

Another implied line is from the tip of the dog's tail to his ear - again pointing us straight to the ship.

Is the little boy in his sailor suit wishing he could sail away with his father? Is his grandfather remembering his old sea-faring days?  Even the dog doesn't look too happy to be left behind!

Whatever the story is, we really want to know what they're looking at -  and there's no missing that tiny ship due to Rockwell's use of implied lines.

The Leading Line

Another way we can use the line element is by painting or drawing actual lines to lead the viewer's eye where we want it to go.

In this painting by Caravaggio there's a lot of sneaky stuff going on! 

It's obvious that the central figure of the older man is taking a look at the young innocent's hand of cards. But there are dark lines on his sleeve which help to lead our eye both to the cards and then back up to his fingers. Is he indicating he can see a two?

From there, emphasising the whole point of the painting, the bold lines on the other young man's jacket lead us down to his right hand where he is concealing some cards behind his back.

And in case we need any more help, even the feather in his hat is pointing to them. Oh, what a couple of crooks!

 Saying it with Flair

So, what do you want to say in your next project?

Everything depends on what that is; if you want to create an exciting, even unsettling image, then jagged lines can help to put that across.

Or do you want something relaxing and expansive, like a beautiful, peaceful landscape or a calming abstract? Horizontal lines will do the trick.

Diagonal lines speak of dynamic movement, and strong vertical lines will help you convey power, strength, growth or spirituality. 

And don't forget the implied line and the leading line; we can use them to subtly direct the viewers eye to a focal point that we don't want them to miss.

Whether you like realism or abstracts, the use of line in art can really help to get your ideas across  - add it to your toolbox and you'll be glad it's there when you need it!

So good luck, but before you go, I thought you might enjoy this magazine cover by Norman Rockwell. Hopefully, using the line element in your own work won't be this challenging!

Share this page: