Mastering Art Lines: Tips for Creating Movement & Emphasis

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 10 July 2023 6 min read

Art is a language that speaks in lines and shapes. Mastering this language requires understanding how to use your tools effectively, starting with the basics and moving on to create depth, variation, and ultimately, your unique style. In this journey, one of the key aspects we'll focus on is the use of directional lines in art to create emphasis and movement. So, let's dive into this fascinating world of art lines and see how they can transform your artwork.

1. Get to Know Your Tools

Before you start drawing those beautiful directional lines in art, it's vital to get acquainted with your tools. Without understanding your pencils, erasers, and rulers, creating art can feel like trying to paint a masterpiece with a toothbrush. Let's get to know your tools a bit more.

Exploring the Different Types of Pencils

Not all pencils are created equal. From the hard graphite of an H pencil to the smooth rich darkness of a B, each pencil can add a unique texture and tone to your artwork. For instance, a 2B pencil is perfect for creating soft directional lines in art, while a 4H might be your best friend when it comes to sketching out initial shapes.

The Role of The Eraser

It's easy to view the eraser as just a tool for correcting mistakes — but think again! An eraser can also be used creatively to create highlights, or even to soften or erase directional lines in art. For example, a kneaded eraser can be moulded into a fine point to erase small areas, while a rubber eraser is excellent for large areas.

Making the Most of Your Ruler

Lastly, let's not forget the humble ruler. It's not just for making straight lines or measuring distances. A ruler can help you create precise directional lines in art and maintain consistency in your work — be it in creating perspective, ensuring symmetry or even in sketching out those initial basic shapes.

2. Start With Basic Shapes

Once you're comfortable with your tools, it's time to start drawing. However, before we start creating intricate designs and patterns, it's essential to master the basics. All complex drawings start from simple shapes. Let's explore these fundamental shapes and see how they can aid us in creating directional lines in art.

Drawing Circles and Ovals

Creating a perfect circle or oval may seem challenging, but with practice, it becomes second nature. Circles and ovals are the foundation of many natural forms in art — think of fruits, faces, and even the sun or moon. They give a sense of completeness and continuity, while their curved lines can guide the viewer’s eyes in a specific direction, creating a sense of movement in your artwork.

Mastering Squares and Rectangles

Squares and rectangles, with their straight lines and right angles, lend a sense of stability and structure to your art. They can be the building blocks of buildings, books, bricks, and more. Furthermore, the vertical and horizontal lines of squares and rectangles can serve as strong directional lines in art, guiding the viewer's gaze up and down or left and right across your artwork.

Understanding Triangles

Triangles are dynamic shapes. Depending on their orientation, they can convey stability (if standing on their base) or instability (if standing on their vertex). Their slanted lines can serve as directional lines in art, leading the viewer's eyes towards a specific point. Whether you're drawing a mountain peak or a pyramid, mastering the triangle will add a new dimension to your art.

3. Create Depth and Perspective

Now that you're confident with basic shapes, let's add some depth and perspective to your drawings. This is what elevates a flat sketch to a three-dimensional masterpiece. The key here lies in mastering directional lines in art. Let's see how we can achieve this.

Using Overlapping Lines

Overlapping lines can be a powerful tool in creating depth. When one object covers part of a second object, the first appears closer to the viewer. By arranging objects and overlapping lines, you can create a sense of depth and distance. Remember, it's all about perception and how you guide the viewer's eye through your art piece.

The Power of Shading

Shading can make a massive difference in your art. It adds volume and depth to your shapes, turning them into three-dimensional forms. Lighter shading indicates a light source and surfaces closer to it, while darker shading implies the opposite. Shading can also create directional lines in art, guiding the viewer's eye towards the light source.

Drawing in Perspective

Ever noticed how parallel lines seem to converge in the distance? That's perspective in action. In art, using perspective means creating an illusion of depth and space on a flat surface. By drawing converging lines that meet at one or more points on the horizon (vanishing points), you can create a realistic sense of depth and distance. Once again, these lines act as directional lines in art, leading the viewer's eye towards the vanishing point, and creating a sense of movement and depth.

4. Explore Line Variations

Exploring different styles of lines can really add some spice to your art. It’s like cooking—you don’t stick to one spice, do you? Each line variation can change the mood and meaning of your piece. Let's dive into how you can play around with line thickness, textures, and, of course, directional lines in art.

Playing with Line Thickness

The thickness of your lines can make a big difference. Thicker lines can draw attention and give a sense of weight or importance to a part of your drawing. On the other hand, thinner lines can create a sense of delicacy or distance. Try varying your line thickness within the same piece and see how it changes the overall feel.

Experimenting with Line Textures

Line texture refers to the quality of the line. Is it smooth? Is it rough? Each texture can evoke a different feeling or mood. Rough, jagged lines can give a sense of tension or unrest, whereas smooth lines can convey calm and tranquility. Don't be afraid to experiment with different textures—it's all part of finding your unique style.

Trying Different Line Directions

Finally, we've arrived at a big one—the use of directional lines in art. Lines can guide the viewer's eyes around your work, creating a sense of movement. Vertical lines can convey a sense of stability or height, horizontal lines a sense of calm or width, and diagonal lines a sense of movement or direction. Even curved lines have their place, leading the eye in a gentle, more natural way. Try to think of lines as arrows directing the viewer's attention where you want it to go. It's a subtle yet powerful way to control how your art is perceived.

5. Practice and Experiment

Just like any other skill, mastering the art of lines requires practice and experimentation. Remember, every artist has their own unique style, and discovering yours is part of the journey. Let's get into some practical tips on how to keep improving your line work.

Keep a Sketchbook

Keep a sketchbook handy, and whenever inspiration strikes—be it a unique texture, a directional line in a building, or a beautiful shape—jot it down. Think of your sketchbook as a visual journal where you can experiment with different line variations without any pressure. Plus, it's a great way to track your progress over time.

Try Different Styles

Ever tried drawing in the style of Picasso or Van Gogh? Trying out different artistic styles can help broaden your perspective and challenge you to use lines in ways you might not have considered. Plus, it's fun to see your favorite characters or objects reimagined in different styles!

Don’t be Afraid to Make Mistakes

Here's a little secret: every artist makes mistakes. Yes, even the greats like Michelangelo and Monet. But they didn't let that stop them, and neither should you. Instead of viewing mistakes as failures, think of them as opportunities to learn and improve. Remember, art is about expressing yourself, and there's no right or wrong way to do that. So go ahead, pick up that pencil, and let your lines flow freely!

If you're eager to take your art line mastery to the next level, don't miss Jarrett Lampley's workshop, 'Art Direction: Creating A Cohesive Vision.' This workshop will help you develop a strong visual narrative by exploring various techniques for creating movement and emphasis in your work. Elevate your art by learning how to create a cohesive and captivating vision!