Line Style: An Experiment
I have been thinking a lot about line style recently. I can never predict how a sketch will turn out; some drawings are stiff and labored while others are loose and lively. On any particular day I can tell what my drawing style will be from the first line I put down, but seem to have little control over it.
I thought I would draw a single subject in multiple styles, to confirm for myself which I prefer and perhaps learn to better control my line quality. However, this experiment did not turn out as expected!
| Order drawn: | 4, 1, 2, 3 |
| I thought I would like (best to worst): | 2, 3, 1, 4 |
| I actually prefer (best to worst): | 4, 3, 1, 2 |
The expected best and worst are flipped!
Now I am more perplexed than ever. These sketches are not as varied as I had hoped, and the results are basically backwards from what I expected. The order I drew them may be a factor: I lose focus as I get tired and seem to like the earlier drawings better.
I did these from my parked car. I think I will try this experiment again in a more relaxed setting, and take my time with each sketch.
Related Topics: Still Life
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June 24th, 2007 at 6:40 pm
I know just what you mean! About the line that comes with a particular setting being different from other days. I’m the same way with handwriting, almost like a different person emerges each day and identifies hersefl with her handwriting. If you try the experiment another day, you’ll probably get different results.
June 18th, 2007 at 4:00 pm
yea, I agree with Jana—the back of a car? And I’m way impressed at how similar they are, if I did it, the viewer would think I’d drawn three different models of cars and a truck! Interesting experiment, indeed. And of course, they all look great!
June 16th, 2007 at 10:45 pm
I’m especially intrigued that you chose, of all things, a car to draw. I think I like #1 the best, but I’m really fond of contour drawings. I think it might be interesting to do the same study using something natural as your subject and see if your results are similar.
June 12th, 2007 at 11:27 pm
Interesting experiment. Now I’d like to see what happens when you do it again but with different materials. Pencil, ink, pastel …
No, nevermind. That’s what I’d like to do now if I’d had more time 🙂
June 10th, 2007 at 1:09 pm
For the record, my preference is 2,3,1,4. But I miss your wonderful washes and I think there would be a lot less line if you used washes.
June 10th, 2007 at 10:51 am
Monica: I am blushing! You are too kind.
Everyone: Thank you for your comments: they’ve got me thinking even more.
I can’t tell how another artist has created their particular line style, although I love to watch them do it. I also experience that ebb and flow with language (good point!), and I do suspect that my line style variations are at least somewhat brain-related.
It is also true that with washes my preferences on these sketches could change. Great idea: I will try it – results coming soon, as well as my further (over 😕 ) thinking on this topic.
June 10th, 2007 at 9:19 am
Hi!
My name is Mónica and I live in Barcelona, Spain. I work as Psychologist but for many years painting has been my hobby. Since I saw for the first time your drawings I fell in love with them!! In fact, your experiments and ideas have been estimulating me for make my own designs and get better in my style and compositions. This new idea, is something that I have been practicing , making some copys of your sketchs or just taking some ideas from them.
Thank you very much for share your works, they are plenty of spirit and sensibility!
June 10th, 2007 at 7:58 am
Hmm – this is difficult to comment on, though it’s really got me thinking. I think I like 3 and 4 best, mostly because of the dark shadow, which pull the drawing together, and the extra detail on 4. I think Jenny may be on to something, if you were to add wash, it could change everything.
June 10th, 2007 at 3:44 am
Martha,
What an interesting experiment! Thanks for sharing it with us. I haven’t been sketching very long (what I did before 2003 was too long ago or very limited), and I am amazed at how similar two of my journal sketches are – done months apart. I keep hoping for more development, and keep being surprised at how individual style doesn’t change dramatically when using the same art technique.
Shirley
June 10th, 2007 at 1:16 am
When you look at a drawing, do you have a way to analyze the line style of the artist? I am very interested in what factors contribute to each style of line–the evidence we can see on the paper, not what the artist was thinking, since we can’t really know that. What makes each line style look the way it does? For example, can you tell which way the pencil went, where the artist started? Judy
June 9th, 2007 at 8:40 pm
I like 4,3,1,2; _however_, this is a line drawing and you usually show your work with color. If the same colors were added to each drawing, would your preferences change?
June 9th, 2007 at 8:19 pm
I like your #4 best, too… I think we just have to muddle along and assume that whatever we do contributes something to the whole. It sounds so platitudinous, but it’s true. I know what you mean about not being in control — it’s like that with me for drawing, and also with words/languages: some days everything is stiff and awkward, and on other (rarer) days I’m so fluent and easy that I feel as if I could fly.