Line
A line is a mark made on a surface that joins different points. Lines can vary in length, width, direction and shape. Artists and designers can use lines for many different reasons.
Artworks by Degas, Durer and Cezanne illustrate how the weight, thickness and orientation of lines can help create the illusion of form.
Lines can show the subject's physical appearance or they can suggest something more than just what can be seen, such as movement.
Contour lines
Lines that are used to define the shape or form of an object or to show key details are called outlines or contour lines.
In this A image printed from oil-based marks made on a flat plate. portrait of Berthe Morisot (1872-74) Edouard Manet has used thick black lines to create an outline of his model.
Manet varies the thicknesses of lines to communicate about different elements. The thick single outline of the clothing brings the subject together. Finer lines show the shape of her hair suggesting fine individual strands and a soft texture.
More thick dark lines draw attention to the subject's eyes. Thinner, lighter lines describe her nose and mouth - making them look softer and finer.
Aubrey Beardsley’s use of line allowed for complicated, Irregular, flowing or relating to nature. In art and design, organic shapes, forms or lines are imperfect as opposed to perfect geometric elements. shapes to be represented simply.
Some contour lines used in The Peacock Skirt (1893) are realistic – such as the simple outlines of hands and arms.
Other lines are more expressive - such as the flowing curves showing the outline of clothing. These contour lines create a sensual atmosphere rather than representing reality.
Question
What is a contour line?
A contour line is a line that defines the shape of the subject of a drawing. It is also known as an outline.