EXPLORING

LINE


WITH KEITH HARING
WHAT IS LINE?
Dictionary Definition:
1. a mark or stroke, made with a pen, pencil,
tool, etc.
2. a continuous extent of length, straight or
curved, without breadth or thickness; the
trace of a moving point.
Information from: Dictionary.com: http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/line Retrieved: 6/23/14
Line can be defined by:

Measure
The length of a line
Short or long
Direction
Which way the line
is going
Horizontal, vertical,
diagonal
Character
What makes the
line stand out?
Curvy, broken,
zigzag
OTHER TERMS TO
KNOW
Contour line
Shows the outline of
an object
Line weight
The thinness or
thickness of a line
Creates line
variation
Information and Images from: The Virtual Instructor, The Elements of Art Line: http://thevirtualinstructor.com/line.html Retrieved: 6/23/14
What type of
line is this?
Calm, serious
Energetic, fun




Roy Lichtenstein
Brushstroke, 1965

Information and Images from: National Gallery of Art, Teachers, The Elements of Art:
http://www.nga.gov/content/ngaweb/education/teachers/lessons-activities/elements-of-art/line.html Retrieved 6/23/14
LINE CAN
CAUSE FEELING
What do the
diagonal lines
do?
Is there motion
in this painting?


Winslow Homer
Breezing Up, 1873

Information and Images from: National Gallery of Art, Teachers, The Elements of Art:
http://www.nga.gov/content/ngaweb/education/teachers/lessons-activities/elements-of-art/line.html Retreeived 6/23/14
LINE CAN
SHOW MOVEMENT
Using a variety of
lines adds interest
This painting has:
Short lines
Straight lines
Curved lines
Zigzag lines
Henri Matisse
Woman Seated in Armchair, 1940

Information and Images from: National Gallery of Art, Teachers, The Elements of Art:
http://www.nga.gov/content/ngaweb/education/teachers/lessons-activities/elements-of-art/line.html Retrieved 6/23/14
LINE CAN
ADD INTEREST
KEITH HARING
Born May 4, 1958 in
Reading, Pennsylvania
First gained attention for
his chalk drawings in
NYC subways
His work was extremely
political and became
famous in the 1980s and
1990s
KEITH HARING
Haring gained
international prominence
painting public murals
Most of his work
contains vivid colors and
bold, energetic lines and
figures
Focused on concepts of
birth, death, sexuality,
and war

KEITH HARING
Haring used his artwork
and status to engage in
social activism
Themes in his work
included:
Gay Rights
Anti-Apartheid
Aids Awareness
Drug Abuse
KEITH HARING
Haring died on February
16, 1990 from AIDS
complications
He left behind a legacy
as the father of Street
Art, and one of the most
influential artists of the
20
th
century
A tribute to Haring by contemporary
street artist Shepard Fairy, 2010
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
WE THE YOUTH
New York City
BOWERY MURAL
Pisa, Italy
TUTTOMONDO
ACTIVITY
STEP 1
We are going to make a class
mural in the style of Keith Haring!
Pick a partner
Pick a spot on the paper
ACTIVITY
STEP 2
Lay on the paper in an
interesting pose
You and your partner
will outline each
others shape with
pencil
Go over the outline
with a thick line of
black paint

ACTIVITY
STEP 3
Add some line
designs around your
outline
Use lines with
different direction,
character, and
measure
Be sure to think
about line weight!

ACTIVITY
STEP 4
Fill in your
figure with
color
Make sure your
color is bright
and vivid!
ASSESSMENT: DRAWING LINE
1. Draw 3 lines with different measure.






1. Draw 3 lines with different direction.






2. Draw 3 lines that have different character




3. Explain a good way to create movement with line. Then, iin
the square, draw a small composition that demonstrates
movement. Use at least 3 types of line.








4. Explain what line weight is. Then, in the square, draw a small
composition that uses line weight.