Line (graphics)
In graphics, narrow field between two points
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Scope
One of the main uses of lines is in the separation of borders in a work. It is commonly used in illustrations as a way to help viewers distinguish a subject’s edges or boundaries and to create individual shapes. The use of lines, or outlining, to create a sense of shape is most commonly used in cartoon style illustrations or animations.
Another use of line in graphics is the ability to help suggest a tone or feeling in a work. Vertical lines can be used to create a sense of strength or stability. An example of this could be a row of trees in a picture creating a series of vertical lines. Horizontal lines can be used to create a feeling of calm, peace or passiveness. An example of this may be the border between a lake and the shore in a painting creating the appearance of a horizontal line. Diagonal lines can be used to create a sense of excitement or drama. An example of this may be something that appears offset in an artwork that creates a feeling of interest or energy.
One other use of line is to intentionally lead the viewers eyes to what the artist wants them to see. A viewer’s eyes will naturally follow a line to where it is leading, and so an artist can utilize lines to help lead the viewer to the subject of most importance, or to pull the viewer around a picture.
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Formats
Lines in graphic design do not always have to be straight lines and can come in many different shapes. They can appear as a rectilinear, or straight, or in a curvilinear, or curved, form. Straight lines are often used to help communicate the tone of the artwork. Curved lines are often used to help lead the viewer's eye around a work. Both are commonly used in the creation of individual shapes or objects.
Lines may also vary in length and width. Anything longer than an individual point may be considered a line and lines can continue indefinitely. Any line that is thin enough to not be considered a single point or dot however thick may also still be considered a line. Utilizing different lengths and widths in a work can create a sense of variety and can make a piece of art appear more interesting,
A line may not always be continuous, broken or implied lines are also commonly used in graphics. A series of dots or dashes can still be a line, because it can still be used to fulfill the purpose of a regular unbroken line. An implied line is something that directs the viewer’s eye to a particular point in space without actually using a real line. An example of an implied line may be the subject pointing at something, the subjects arrayed in a way that leads to a single point, or the eyes or gaze of a subject or subjects in the work looking at a particular point of interest leading the viewer to look at what is being pointed at.
Applications
- In road surface marking, line formats convey different traffic regulations
- In illustrations, to create borders
- In artworks, to imply a tone or create excitement