L is for Line

Β Paint Party Friday

Nearly twenty years ago in college (when you can start measuring times in decades, you know you’re heading for forty :D), I studied a subject called Techniques and Rendering. As part of a graphic design diploma this was a subject that was supposed to open your eyes to the many different ways you could illustrate a subject.

I did enjoy it, but looking back, I realise that I never really took it for what it could have been. My head wasn’t in the right space at the time.

But in any case, one of the assignments we were given was to draw a picture six times in six different ways. It did prove to be a challenging exercise and introduced me to the concept of different linework and some of the interesting effects that can be achieved. It took nearly eighteen years for the concept to hit home, but here are my drawings.

The first one was done in straight graphite pencil, my native medium.

Drawing exercise 1

I don’t know why I chose this subject. I’m sure I could have picked something more interesting. Perhaps it was the ceramics at the handle and lid. Pencil is a beautiful medium, but twenty years ago I didn’t have the skill I have today.

Drawing exercise 2

Pencil was followed by pen line work, a technique I was also quite familiar with at the time. That was followed by a technique I made up on the spot.

Drawing exercise 3

Each line travels from the left margin to the right, but must interact with the other lines in regards to how distant apart they are in order to create lights and darks. i quite liked the outcome of this one, it might bear further investigation now.

Drawing exercise 4

This scribble technique proved to be fast and fun, though clearly not creating the correct texture for a glass or shiny surface πŸ˜€

Drawing exercise 5

By the time I got to this one, i was getting thoroughly sick of the same drawing, so to add interest, I did this one in the negative. This is a continuous line, from the top left corner to the bottom right.

And finally there was the no-so-much-a-line-as-a-dot stipple technique.

Drawing exercise 6

As you can imagine, I was dotty by the end of that one.

So a few line techniques to share. I love line and intend to explore its capabilities in multiple media.

Now Paint Party Friday peeps, This isn’t painting, I know, but you can find the painting I did this week here – H is for Happy. I do have another painting lined up to post for tomorrow night as it doesn’t fit into L, but M. So if you’re interested, drop by on Saturday to see my latest.

And all of you, don’t forget to drop by Paint Party Friday for some fantastic artwork.

See all my Blogging A to Z posts here!

See all my Paint Party Friday posts here!

I’m on two weeks leave…yay, there will be art!

See you tomorrow night.

Best wishes,
Liz