It is often believed that an artist's strokes are the purest way to perceive their abilities. When a thread is wrapped around paper or canvas, the continuous ribbon can emit powerful emotions. It's no surprise, then, that line art, line drawing, is one of the most fundamental elements of visual art. ?In fact, as one of the seven visual art elements - along with form, shape, color, value, texture and space - line is the hallmark of art. But what is line art? First, it's important to note that a line does not simply move from point A to point B. In art, a line can be two- or three-dimensional, abstract, descriptive, or suggestive. ?Line art is often black and white but not always. Elements like shadows and color gradients are absent, allowing the focus to remain firmly on the lines themselves. Line drawings can be sketches, but they can also be completed works of art. The line is so fundamental to art that a common exercise for art students is to draw a table with a line without taking the drawing tool off the page. ?It's important to remember that line art is more than just painting. Lines can be visually formed in a variety of ways. For example, a sculptor bends materials into different shapes or a photographer creates implied lines through the angle of the camera. ? Now that we know a little bit about the theory, let's dive into line art, starting with the famous line drawings in art history. Throughout art history, artists have used line as their primary means of visual expression, creating impactful art. Copy of "Laocon and His Sons", 200 BC? Ancient sculpture group Laocon and his Sons It is now in the Vatican Museum in Rome and has been influential since its rediscovery in the 15th century. It became a reference point for Renaissance artists who observed how the sculptor used streamlines to harmonize the group of figures. This sinuous snake snakes through the three characters, connecting them and balancing them all. Artists of this period would continue to use implicit lines to create harmonious compositions in sculptures, paintings, and drawings. Leonardo da Vinci, "Study for the Head of Leda", c.1506? Leonardo da Vinci was a gifted draughtsman. His sketches have become valuable works of art in their own right. This is a painting of Leda and the Swan showing the detailed line work used to generate form and dimension. Albrecht Dürer, "Melencolia I" 1514? One of the most famous printmakers in history, Albrecht Dürer was a true connoisseur. Dirrell cut precise lines into panels, creating rich and complex prints that continue to influence artists. He was also a skilled painter in oils and watercolors, and an accomplished draftsman. His work in all media relies on his printmaking work. Henri Matisse, "Dance," 1909? Throughout his career, Matisse incorporated a fast, expressionistic touch into his paintings. One of his most famous works, Dance relies heavily on the silhouettes he created. The viewer feels the dancer's power and movement through Matisse's lines, using bold, flat colors and striking silhouettes. Pablo Picasso, "Portrait of Igor Stravinsky," 1920? Pablo Picasso deprived his work of the clearer, classic paintings he produced earlier in his career, which gave him Lots of clean, simple stuff - contour plots. Using a single, continuous line, he was still able to express power in his work. In fact, these outline drawings have become some of his most iconic images. Jackson Pollock’s “Number 31” at the Museum of Modern Art? King of Abstract Expressionism, Jackson Pollock built his work entirely on flowing lines of liquid paint that dynamically moved throughout his paintings. His most famous works were created during the "Drip Period" from 1947 to 1950. The innovative technology of contemporary art has refreshed the world.

Bridget Riley, “Arrows of Color,” 2017-19? British artist Bridget Riley is an OP art that relies on optical illusions. Interested in geometric forms, she uses bold lines to create hypnotic optical illusions in her works. Keith Haring, Collingwood Mural, Australia, 1984? Keith Haring's bold style is defined by thick black outlines, often left in black and white or filled with bright, flat colors. His signature style defined his career, making his work instantly recognizable. Whether the figures are intertwined, seem to follow a flowing line, or define themselves, Haring's outline drawings still live on today and show a continuing influence on fine artists, illustrators, and graphic designers. ? Today, line is as important in contemporary art as ever. From sculpture to painting, the tradition of line art continues in the work of cutting-edge artists.