~ Unit Plan ~

Art Unit: Line
Instructor: Stephanie A. McMullen

I.  Objectives

  1. To implement the element of art called line into artwork
  2. To identify a line
  3. To define the term line
  4. To use line to outline a shape, suggest moods, create texture, patterns, and value

II.  Vocabulary

  1. Line- Path made by a moving point.
  2. Elements of art- Found in the environment in and out of class found in both nature and man-made objects.
  3. Principles of art- describe the way artists arrange elements of art in their artwork.
  4. Contour line- Line that defines and describes the edges and surface ridges of a shape (Contour lines define the outside edges of shapes).
  5. Gesture line- quick, rough line, which captures shape, form, and movement. (Gesture drawings capture a basic shape of and object.)
  6. Blind Contour line- Drawn by looking only at the subject, which is drawn, and not the artist’s paper. Increases eye – hand coordination while capturing an intricate outline of an object.

III.  Uses of Line

  1. Outline a shape
  2. Create a texture
  3. Pattern
  4. Value
  5. Suggest Moods

IV.  Types of Line

  1. Vertical
  2. Horizontal
  3. Diagonal
  4. Curved
  5. Zigzag
  6. Broken

V.  Projects (implementation)

  1. Draw from a still life (3 separate drawings)
    *  Utilize contour lines, gesture lines, and blind contour lines
  2. Create Pattern, Texture and Value by using all straight lines (for a small drawing) and all curved lines (for a second small drawing).
  3. Combine projects one and two (contour line drawing and types of line etc.)
    *  Create art, which uses previous knowledge and allows experimentation.

VI.  Evaluation

  1. Students will receive participation points for the still-life drawings.
  2. Students will self evaluate for the last two projects by filling out a form.


Line Assignment 1:
Three drawings using different kinds of drawing lines

*Assignment 1 Objective
  1. Create a contour line drawing
  2. Create a gesture line drawing
  3. Create a blind contour drawing

*Evaluation:  Participation points will be given to each student for completing each drawing.

*Materials:
  1. 18 x 24 inch drawing paper (newsprint may work too)
  2. Felt tip markers for students (Color does not matter)
  3. Still life (needs to have a lot of contours)
  4. Timer or clock

*Procedure:

  1. Teacher will demonstrate gesture, contour, and blind contour before students attempt each drawing.
  2. Set timer for 5-7 minutes.
  3. Have students begin with gesture drawing.
  4. Teacher will demonstrate contour drawing and set timer.
  5. Students will work for 5-7 minutes on contour drawing.
  6. Teacher will demonstrate blind contour drawing and set timer.
  7. Students will work for 5-7 minutes on blind contour drawing.


Line Assignment 2:
Non-Representational (Abstract) line Design

*Assignment 2 Objective

  1. Make a non-representational drawing
  2. Utilize different types of line (from notes) to create the design(s)
    *  Remember that non-representational means that there are NO RECOGNIZABLE objects in the drawing

HINT:  Ways to make lines show movement:

  1. Stop, Start
  2. Change Directions
  3. Overlap or intersect
  4. Thick and thin
  5. Closer together, farther apart

*Evaluation: 

  1. Complexity of design
  2. Adherence to choice of line (all lines are straight, for example)
  3. Creativity

*Materials:
  1. Paper
  2. Pencil
  3. Magic Rub Eraser
  4. Black markers (fine tip and broad)
  5. Rulers (when necessary)

Line Assignment 2: Student Samples

Size: 9" x 12"
 Year: 1997
 Medium: Graphite (pencil) and Marker on Paper
 Student Objective: Use all straight or all curved lines in a composition to create a design.  Experiment with line and attempt depth, value; try zigzag, horizontal, vertical, etc.

*Procedure:

  1. On 8 ½" x 11" Paper:
      a.   fold paper in half
      b.  on the top half, complete a design using straight lines only
      c.  on the bottom half, complete a design using curved lines only
      d.  show your practice designs to instructor and receive 10 points
  2. With either a Straight or Curved Line Design Selected, Work on a Piece of 9" x 12" Paper
  3. Draw your Basic Design with Pencil
  4. Cover the Pencil with Marker
  5. After Completing your Composition, you must Erase any visible pencil lines


Evaluation for Line Assignment 2

NAME: __________________________________________

(Staple this to your project)

5 =  All straight lines used on straight line design
4 = > ¾ of the lines are straight
3 =  > ½ of the lines are straight
2 =  ½ of the lines are straight
1 =  < ½ of the lines are straight

5 =  All curved lines are used on the curved line design
4 =  > ¾ of the lines are curved
3 =  > ½ of the lines are curved
2 =  ½ of the lines are curved
1 =  < ½ of the lines are curved

5 =  No smudges on the paper
4 =  > ¾ of the project is smudge free
3 =  > ½ of the project is smudge free
2 =  ½ of the project is smudge free
1 =  < ½ of the project is smudge free

5 =  All lines are clearly defined
4 =  > ¾ of the lines are clearly defined
3 =  > ½ of the lines are clearly defined
2 =  ½ of the lines are clearly defined
1 =  < ½ of the lines are clearly defined

5 =  No pencil is showing
4 =  No pencil on > ¾ of the project
3 =  No pencil on > ½ of the project
2 =  No pencil on ½ of the project
1 =  < ½ of is pencil free

_____ your total

25 points possible


Line Assignment 3:
Combine techniques from Line Assignments 1 and 2  

*Assignment 3 Objective:  To create a work of art which uses line as an element and principle of design

Evaluation:  
  1. No smudges on paper
  2. Clearly defined lines
  3. No pencil showing (in appropriate areas)
  4. Design fills space of page
  5. Basic contour drawing is done proportionately
  6. Textures work well together to describe objects
  7. Good craftsmanship
  8. Overall neatness and attractiveness

Line Assignment 3: Student Sample

Size: 11" x 14"
 Year: 1998
 Medium: Graphite and Marker on Paper
 Student Objective: Use both straight and curved lines to create patterns and textures to fill in the implied contour lines of the object presented.

*Materials:
  1. Contour drawing from Line Assignment 1
  2. Newsprint or other paper (18" x 24") for contour drawing of person
  3. Pencil
  4. Tape
  5. Markers (thin and broad line)
  6. Line Assignment 2 (to use for ideas)
  7. 12" x 18" drawing paper for final project

*Procedure:

  1. Do a contour drawing of a person:
      a.  ask the person across from you to pose for 5-7 minutes
      b.  pay special attention to the lines and shapes created by the body and the clothing
      c.  draw as many of the contours as possible
      d.  when you have finished drawing, pose for the person across from you
  2. Compare the skull drawing to the one of the person
  3. Decide which of the two drawings you will use to complete your final project with
    ** Remember you must fill the space of the page!
  4. Transfer your drawing to the good paper by taping it to the window and tracing your contour lines with a pencil
    ** It may be necessary to add in more contours from the person or the skull
  5. Begin to fill in the contour lines with designs, patterns, etc.
    THINGS TO CONSIDER:
      a.  DO NOT OUTLINE like a coloring book!
      b.  both curved and straight lines may be used
      c.  lines which are closer together will appear darker
      d.  textures may be repeated three times
      e.  see instructor if you would like to use an alternative media to marker
      f.  can you create depth?

Evaluation for Line Assignment 3

NAME: __________________________________________

(Staple this to your project)

5 =  No Smudges on paper
4 = > ¾ without smudges
3 =  > ½ without smudges
2 =  ½ without smudges
1 =  < ½ without smudges

5 =  Clearly defined lines
4 =  > ¾ with clearly defined lines
3 =  > ½ with clearly defined lines
2 =  ½ with clearly defined lines
1 =  < ½ with clearly defined lines

5 =  No pencil showing (in appropriate areas)
4 =  > ¾ without pencil
3 =  > ½ without pencil
2 =  ½ without pencil
1 =  < ½ without pencil

5 = Design fills space of page
4 =  > ¾ is filled
3 =  > ½ is filled
2 =  ½ is filled
1 =  < ½ is filled

5 =  Basic contour drawing is done proportionately
4 =  1 mistake
3 =  2-3 mistakes
2 =  4-5 mistakes
1 =  Little or no attempt to draw proportionately

_____ Textures work well together to describe objects

_____ Good craftsmanship

_____ Overall neatness and attractiveness

_____ your total

40 points possible

 

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