Visual Language - Line Quality

During our visual language session, we focused on the importance of line quality in drawings. The task was to draw 20 straight lines, 20 squares, 20 zig zags and 20 circles, all with different line qualities and using different tools and media.

This task was quite interesting because I hadn't considered how important the line quality is in a drawing before. It can massively impact the way a drawing is perceived - for example a drawing with a solid thick line with have a different atmosphere to it to a drawing with thin scratchy lines.

After this, we had to draw someone else on the table using one of the lines we had found. I chose the line quality that I had created by dipping the end of the paintbrush into ink.



I really enjoyed the result of this technique. Using the wrong end of the paintbrush gives a more unpredictable result, since I had less control over how much ink I used. I also liked how the thickness of the line varied as I drew, this draws attention more to certain parts of the drawing than others.



I tried to use a different technique on this portrait and I'm not as happy with the results. I used a paintbrush dipped in ink, but waited until it was drier. This gives the piece a more scratchy, faint effect, but I prefer the bolder line quality of my previous drawings.