LOTS OF LINES Middle School.

Objectives

Students will be able to:

1. Define line and identify five kinds of lines.

2. Explain line quality and the way lines can make viewers feel.

3. Consider how color can affect a viewer's mood and change the look of an artwork.

4. Show how repetition of lines and colors create pattern.

Materials

12" (31 cm) square white paper, fine-tipped black markers, colored markers or colored pencils.

Procedure

First, define and discuss the different types of lines. Line is defined as the path of a dot through space. The five main types of lines are horizontal, vertical, zigzag, curved, and diagonal. Each type of line conveys a different message. Horizontal lines--parallel to the ground--seem restful, calming, and relaxing. Vertical lines--straight up and down--seem to be strong and attentive. Curved lines--wiggly and flowing--express movement. Diagonal lines go from corner to corner, and seem active and exciting. Combining different directions of diagonal lines makes zigzag lines.

Next, discuss line quality. Quality is the thickness or thinness and the lightness or darkness of a line.

Students use fine-tipped black markers to divide 12" (31 cm) square pieces of paper into sections. They try to use as many of the five different types of lines as possible. We then explore the use of lines for contouring, cross-hatching, hatching, and stippling to fill in the sections with patterns.

When the black and white line design is complete, we photocopy the square and go on to part two of the lesson--color. Color schemes can make a painting seem bright, vibrant, calm, or soothing. Use colored markers or colored pencils to color the photocopied square. Students are encouraged to change colors every time they hit a line. Mount both black and white squares and colored squares side by side.

ClipCard submitted Karen Skophammer, an art instructor for Manson Northwest Webster Schools in Barnum and Manson, Iowa.