Art Exercises Using Lines

Artists use lines to show movement in their paintings and drawings. Straight, slanted lines seem to march across the page. Long, curvy lines dance across the page. Some lines are short, some are long, some are straight and some are wavy. Different lines create different moods. Artists create patterns by repeating lines, shapes, or colors in their artwork. Here are some art terms you should know:

Line - Lines can take many forms such as straight, curvy, vertical, horizontal, and diagonal. Artists use lines to show movement and motion.

Shape - A shape is formed when a line joins itself. A shape may be geometric such as a triangle, square, or circle. A shape may also be organic such as shapes found in nature like rocks or leaves.

Pattern - Artists create a pattern by repeating a line, shape, or color over and over again.

Rhythm - Artists create visual rhythm by repeating art elements and creating patterns.

Art Exercises using Lines

1. Draw or paint lines to music. Change the tempo of the music to change the rhythm of the painting.

2. Use crayons to draw stars and moons like in Vincent Van Gogh's Starry Night painting. Repeat shapes. Add swirls to the picture. Paint over the crayoned sky with black paint (crayon resistant paint).

3. Line paintings - Dip yarn or string in paint and use it to paint a picture by dragging the yarn across the paper to make interesting patterns.

Art Books to Read with Kids

1. Art Lesson by Tommie de Paola

2. Art by Patrick McDonnell

3. The Metropolitan Museum of Art - Can You Find It Outside? by Jessica Schulte