Lesson video

Hello everyone, how are you today? I hope you're feeling really good.

My name is Ms. Afzal, and I'll be your art teacher for this lesson.

I'm feeling very pleased about that because today we're looking at something that's really elemental in art.

Our lesson is called line.

That's what we're exploring line.

I wonder what that makes you think of when you consider line.

A lesson comes from the unit of work, foundation workshops, revisiting elements of art and principles of art.

So are you ready for us to explore line together? If so, if you get some energy, focus and enthusiasm, we'll begin.

The outcome for today's lesson is I can experiment to explore the effect of line in 3D space.

We have some keywords in our lesson.

They are line, symbolic and convey.

So what do these keywords mean? Well, line is a mark made by a moving point, which can vary in length with direction and texture.

Symbolic, something representing or standing for something else for example, a heart symbol can represent love.

Convey, to communicate or show something to someone, i.

e.

sharing a message, idea or feeling.

These are our keywords line, symbolic and convey.

Let's look out for them.

Let's listen out for them.

They'll be coming up in our lesson today.

Today's lesson is called line, and it has two learning cycles.

First of all, explore the effects of different types of line and next experiment with line by drawing in space.

Let's begin with exploring the effects of different types of line and let's zoom ahead to the end of the lesson and take a look at what some outcomes from today's lesson could look like.

Some really interesting use of line in these three very different artworks.

Hopefully that has piqued your interest.

Have you seen any art that uses line in an interesting way? Pause here and share with someone.

Have you? Thanks for sharing.

And how can different types of lines evoke playful feelings or a sense of movement, perhaps like in the artworks on the screen.

Pause here and share with someone.

Thanks for sharing.

How would you describe these lines? Pause here and share with someone nearby.

Thanks for sharing.

Here's Sam.

"It feels like they're full of movement.

My eyes almost dance across the page as they look at the lines." Love that description.

Line is one of the most fundamental elements in art.

A line is more than just a mark on a page.

It's a powerful tool used to communicate ideas, create structure, and evoke emotion.

A line is a mark made by a moving point.

It can vary in length, width, direction, and texture.

For example, straight e.

g.

horizontal, vertical, diagonal Curved, e.

g.

organic, flowing.

Implied, e.

g.

where the eye follows a path in a composition.

And expressive, e.

g.

thick, thin, jagged, or smooth.

Pause the video and show with someone.

What are some of the lines you can see in this artwork on the screen? Thanks for sharing.

Check for understanding true or false.

When a line encloses an area, it doesn't form a shape.

Pause here and decide is this true or false? Well done if you selected false.

A line is a basic element of art that is a continuous mark on a surface created by a moving point.

When it encloses an area, it forms a shape.

Line can define shapes, suggest movement, or even guide the viewer's eye through a composition.

Line isn't just limited to drawing or painting, it's everywhere.

How do you create lines in your GCSE specialism? Pause here and share with someone.

Thanks for sharing.

In each specialism, lines can be used in different ways.

In fine art, create form, texture, and movement.

E.

g.

expressive brushstrokes, contour lines, and figure drawing.

Graphic design, guide the viewer's eye, create structure and convey meaning, e.

g.

logos, topography, infographics.

In textiles, you can create patterns, textures, and structure.

E.

g.

embroidery, weaving, and knitting.

In 3D design, you can define edges, create movement, and suggest form.

E.

g.

wire sculptures, architectural models.

And in photography, you can lead the viewer's eye, create depth and add drama, e.

g.

leading lines in landscapes and architectural photography.

The lines in these works are doing something different.

What could the purpose of the line be in each image, take at look at these A, B, C, and D.

Pause here and share with someone.

The purpose of the line in each image.

Thanks for sharing.

Line can create form, define edges, guide the eye, a rhythm or texture or all of these at once and more.

So much potential with lines.

Let's have a check for understanding.

Line can be used to A, create form and shape by enclosing areas.

B, add textural mark making.

C, help structure composition.

Pause here while you choose.

Well done if you selected all three of these.

Indeed line can be used to create form, and shape by enclosing areas.

It can be used to add textual mark making and line can be used to help structure a composition.

How has this photographer a used line to draw the viewer's attention to certain areas of this artwork? Pause here and share with someone.

Here's Aisha.

They chose to include a diagonal line of people walking from one side to the other.

The lines in the background create stability.

Perhaps you had an answer like this, or maybe something different.

How has this designer created lines by aligning the elements in the image? Pause here and share with someone.

Thanks for sharing.

Here's Jacob.

The shapes and text align with each other.

This helps define the lines and structure the arrangement.

Making it feel cohesive and purposeful.

Is this line.

Pause here and share with someone.

What do you think? Thanks for sharing.

Here's Aisha.

Cy Twombly uses lines in his work that almost look like writing or some type of communication.

And Jacob, lines form patterns which convey meanings when we read them as words.

In some areas of visual practise, lines can carry symbolic meanings.

For example, a vertical line can represent growth.

Horizontal lines can symbolise stability.

Flowing lines can symbolise joy and freedom.

Where have you seen lines use symbolically.

Pause here and share with someone.

Thanks for sharing.

Jun has been experimenting with different lines.

Different lines create different effects.

Some lines can be dramatic, adding tension, while others might be calm or descriptive.

It's like each line has its own personality.

I'm going to see how this applies to wire.

Oh, I'm excited to find out what happens.

Lines have been used symbolically in various artistic movements and cultural context, including, Celtic Art, which uses interlacing lines and knots to symbolise eternity, connection and a cycle of life.

Art Nouveau is known for flowing organic lines inspired by nature, such as vines and flowers, creating a sense of movement and elegance.

Islamic art uses geometric lines and intricate patterns symbolising divine order.

Chinese Shuimohuaa ink wash painting, applies fluid calligraphic lines in ink paintings expressing harmony and balance with nature.

Western Modernism, uses clean, straight lines to convey progress and simplicity.

How have you seen local artists or your classmates use line? Pause here and share with someone.

Thanks for sharing.

Examples of artist use of line.

Faig Ahmed, uses distorted lines to disrupt traditional carpet patterns.

Blending traditional crafts with contemporary art.

Monika Grzymala, makes tape installations that challenge traditional boundaries between drawing and sculpture, transforming 3D spaces.

Cy Twombly, creates gestural scribbled lines that blur the boundary between writing and drawing, evoking raw emotion and spontaneity.

Lin Tianmiao, uses thread and lines in her sculptural works to explore themes of gender, labour and identity, using powerful symbolism.

Pablo Picasso's light drawings capture dynamic lines in space using light exploring movement and time in a single exposure.

And Zaha Hadid, designs architecture with fluid curving lines.

So we can see a number of artists use of lines.

And now it's time for your first task.

I would like you to find two relevant artworks and compare the use of line.

You could choose artists relevant to your theme and specialism.

Pick artists you've seen in galleries or your community.

Use this as a chance to explore your classmates work.

Use examples provided by your teacher or this lesson.

Helpful themes to consider are texture, composition, symbolism, defining edges, creating shape or form, and style, thick, thin, et cetera.

So pause here while you find two relevant artworks and compare the use of line.

I'll see you when you're finished.

It is good to be back with you.

How did you get on with that task of finding two relevant artworks and comparing the use of line? You might have said something like this.

A, uses lines to create structure in a composition and to draw your attention into the centre of the design.

The text becomes a line emphasising the curve.

B, uses light, soft, crease lines of fabric and material to symbolise a gentle mood and to define shapes and 3D forms. And now we're onto our next learning cycle.

Experiment with line by drawing in space.

How has this artist used line? Pause here and share with someone.

Thanks for sharing.

Here's Lucas.

The lines create 3D form and define the shape they feel sharp and clean.

Line doesn't have to be flat.

It can exist in three dimensional space.

For example, in a wire sculpture.

The lines of the wire create shapes and forms that you can walk around and view from different angles.

How can you experiment with lines in 3D space? Pause here and shadow to someone.

Thanks for sharing.

You can create or capture lines on the floor walls in water, or even between objects.

Think about how these lines can define space, create movement, or even suggest a story or mood.

Let's have a check for understanding true or false.

Lines are only used for drawing outlines or defining shapes.

Pause here and decide.

Is this true or false? Well done if you said false, because indeed lines are a versatile tool that can convey depth, texture and meaning far beyond just outlining objects.

Artists experiment with line in a variety of ways, including, using torches or streetlights to draw with light.

Whilst your camera is set up on a long exposure or open shutter mode to capture light trails, how could you use speed to create a variety of line thickness and intensity? Pause here and share with someone.

Thanks for sharing.

How might the interaction of lines and threads in this hanging woven installation create rhythm? Pause here and share with someone.

Thanks for sharing.

Such a beautiful exploration of line using string wool and fabric.

You could explore line by, using masking tape or electrical tape to draw in space.

You might connect your own objects and work together to combine your drawings.

Could you create optical illusions or distorted perspective? Pause here and share with someone.

Thanks for sharing.

How does this photographer use leading lines in this composition? Who's here and share with someone nearby.

Thanks for sharing.

How could you use line to guide the viewer's eyes towards different parts of a composition? Pause here and share with someone.

Thanks for sharing.

You could explore line by, using wire, paper or willow withies to create 3D line drawings or models.

How could you balance line in three dimensions? Pause here and share.

Thanks for sharing.

This artist is using marbling inks in water to experiment with free flowing and radiating lines.

How can you record and document the movement of the lines? Pause here and share with someone.

Thanks for sharing.

Laying paper over the surface of the water and lifting the print could be one way.

Recording the movement using photography or film could be another.

I wonder if you came up with these ideas.

Check for understanding.

To support your creative journey, the best option would be A, to make work that is not linked to my theme.

B, to consider a new theme and topic.

C, to select successful elements of my work so far and carry them forward.

Pause here while you decide.

What's the best option to support your creative journey? Well done if you selected answer C, indeed, it would be to select successful elements of your work so far, and carry them forwards.

And now it's time for your next task.

I would like you to discuss how you might reflect your theme or project in your line work.

You could use a motif or primary source, respond or draw from work you have already made.

Use a still life setup combining your sources in a group.

Use a prompt from your teacher or classmate.

So pause here while you have a go at this first part of your task to discussing how you might reflect your theme or project in your line Work.

I'll see you when you're finished.

That's good to be back with you.

How did you get on with that first part of your task? Discussing how you might reflect your theme or project in your line work.

You might have reviewed your experiments and said, something like this, here's Laura.

I think using limited colours fits my project so far as does using line to create geometric shapes with some perspective.

Good thinking.

For the next part of your task, I'd like you to experiment with lines by drawing in space.

You could use masking tape, willow withies, wire, string, fabric or paper.

Use ink in water, use light trails and photographs.

Use leading lines.

So pause here while you have a go at this next part of your task, experimenting with lines by drawing in space.

I'll see you when you're finished.

Enjoy your task.

It is good to be back with you.

How did you get on with that task? Experimenting with lines by drawing in space.

You might have made something wonderful like this.

Here's Laura.

I used electrical tape to draw the motifs from my geometric Lego block graphics work using overlapping lines and limited colours.

I photographed it from different angles to emphasise the perspective.

I love this.

You've really understood the assignment, Laura.

And now I'd like you to discuss and evaluate your work.

Consider, how did lines help structure your composition? Did you create textures or different types of line? Were you able to create variety, rhythm or perspective? Are any of the lines symbolic? Did any of the lines create movement or flow? Did any of the lines create stability? So pause here while you have a go at this next part of your task discussing and evaluating your work.

Great to be back with you.

How did you get on with discussing and evaluating your work? You might have said something like this.

Here's Alex.

We wanted to create a festival feel for our theme of celebration.

So we work collaboratively to use woven lines that convey excitement.

The work is reminiscent of a giant party streamer.

The warp and weft create structure and repeat pattern while the contrasting textures, thicknesses, and colours of the fabric lines create variety and intrigue.

We can refine this experiment to further explore using line to create rhythm.

And here's Jun.

I made a wire line drawing, which was challenging.

The twisted lines create emphasis and variety successfully.

I tried thicker wire first, but line was too bold and not soft enough to wrap.

It represents a real object, so it feels quite stable, not flowing.

I was able to create some additional form in the photograph by the lines created by shadows.

I might draw it next to see if I can recreate lines in pen or ink.

I think you did a terrific job, Jun, in your drawing with wire.

In our lesson line we have covered, the following, line is used in different ways within each specialism.

For example, light drawings in photography, and drawing with stitch and textiles, the quality of a line can convey mood for example, jagged lines might evoke tension.

While smooth lines can feel calm and flowing.

Lines can also carry symbolic meanings such as the use of horizontal lines for stability or vertical lines for growth.

Well done everyone for joining in with this lesson.

It was great to explore something as elemental, as line and across different specialisms. I loved your creations and I hope you've enjoyed this lesson.

I look forward to seeing you at another arts lesson soon.

Until then, stay creative.