(4) Functions of lines

"The shape of close lines" directly becomes a plane by painting its inside, and it can be said that the shape of lines includes the shape of planes. However, regarding the shape of a plane, its outline is decided by lines, and in this meaning it is found that the shape of lines is very important in formative arts. 

Our ancestors used lines to express the shape of things. They often used lines to express things abstractly, which had concrete shapes. This will be discovered when we search the examples of lines such as illustrations of lines, marks, symbols, letters, and so on. And when we think that most writing tools are made for drawing lines, other meanings are considered.

Lines are, to be sure, very useful ways to express things abstractly, but a line itself has excellent formative ability when we think about them without concrete shapes. It is important to notice them for KOHSEI (Basic Art & Design), and it has been studied by advanced artists or professors in Bauhouse, and proven through creations. This can be one of the most precious results for art in this century. It is found that many excellent formative effects can be achieved by only treating lines purely. However, thinking of a pure line, "straight line", it is a shape which doesn't exist so often in nature, and it is a man-made form, as well as other mathematical curves. 
 
 


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Figure 53: Thick line appear scloser that thin line.
Figure 54: The difference in line weight creates three-dimensional emphasis.


 

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