

He gradually builds up the density of line to render the darker areas of tone and reduces it to suggest the lighter. His swirling scribbles correspond perfectly to the bouncy texture of a fleece. The vocabulary of scribbled and hatched lines that Moore developed for these drawings is very compatible with their subject. Some of these images were later reworked as etchings like the one above. As a sculptor, Moore was fascinated by the subtle variations in the cushioned forms of their woolly fleeces and he recorded these observations in a sketchbook using a ballpoint pen. In 1972, while preparing for a major retrospective exhibition of his sculptures in Florence, Henry Moore would relax by drawing the sheep in a field outside his studio. We have analyzed each of these to demonstrate how great artists use this visual element as a creative force in their work. Our selection of artworks illustrated below have been chosen because they all use line in an inspirational manner. Mechanical lines can express a rigid controlĬontinuous lines can lead the eye in certain directionsīroken lines can express the ephemeral or the insubstantial The way we draw a line can convey different expressive qualities:įreehand lines can express the personal energy and mood of the artist Vertical lines suggest height and strength Horizontal lines suggest distance and calm We have a psychological response to different types of lines: It can be used to suggest shape, pattern, form, structure, growth, depth, distance, rhythm, movement and a range of emotions. Line in an artwork can be used in many different ways. It is the first and most versatile of the visual elements. Send us feedback.T he Visual Element of Line is the foundation of all drawing. These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'contour line.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. 2017 The canvases were heavily influenced by Japanese art, including the flatness of the color with bold contour lines.

2017 The Unisphere, a stainless steel globe with contour lines denoting elevation and crossed rings to suggest orbiting rockets, was built for the 1964 World’s Fair as a hopeful monument to unity, humanity, and space travel. 2018 Topographic maps, which hikers use, typically show major highways, trails, waterways, vegetation (such as forests and meadows) and contour lines that depict elevation. 2018 The next image shows the incredible pressure gradient (change in pressure over distance, revealed by contour lines called isobars). 2019 The brand decked out its popular midcushion Launch 5 road shoe with a graphic of rope coils, nautical chart contour lines, anchors, and the aforementioned lobstahs.Īriella Gintzler, Outside Online, 11 Apr.
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2019 The workshop included instruction on everything from interpreting contour lines on a topographic map to how to adjust a compass to orient it to true north. 2022 For sheer rhythmic movement, delicacy of contour line and limpid grace in form and texture, there is nothing to approach this piece. Recent Examples on the Web No one annihilates the contour line more effectively, so what seems blurry and incomprehensible demands a close look.īrian T.
