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Age Range: 2+
Time to Complete: 20 minutes
Supplies Needed
Pencil
Paper
Eraser
Marker (optional)
Pencil Sharpener (optional
The single-line drawing is a common drawing exercise that helps train your hands and eyes to work together. Use a reference, an object or a photo, to look at while you draw. Artists use this exercise to simplify their drawings and learn how to draw efficiently. Some artists just do this because it’s fun!
1. Find something to draw - an object or picture will work. For this example it’s going to be a photo of Lead Museum Assistant, Curtis Cargill’s cat, Minnie.
2. Start at any point of the page using a pencil or pen, but remember to not lift your pencil or pen from the paper. If you do this on accident, just pick up where you left off.
3. Start with the outline of the shape first, then go into the details.
4. Retrace your lines to go backwards and add details, remember to not pick up your drawing utensil! Your drawing isn’t meant to be perfect, and that’s what makes it interesting.
Single-line drawing becomes easier the more you practice. Keep finding different objects to practice and look for different textures (smooth/rough/hairy) to draw.
Share your finished artwork with us on social media, tag us @thebmoa on FACEBOOK and Instagram.
Anne Marie Rousseau, 100 to 100 #18, 32 x 40 inches, india ink pencil on arches rag paper. BMoA Permanent Collection 2015.07.19
Artist, Ann Marie Rousseau
“In every line is a creation of the world. They are the circulatory system, the music, the wind and the weather. Each is a turning, a path, an intersection with choices and decisions, where life arrives at the edge and leaps.”
A.M. Rousseau is an artist and photographer. Rousseau explores line as an elemental part of life as lines are found everywhere. Rousseau views line as a unique indicator of purpose and direction.
Extra Project
Make a single-line drawing on separate pages for an interesting abstract composition, inspired by Permanent Collection piece, 100 to 100 #18.
Materials
Paper, Pencil, Felt-tip marker, Tape
1. Tape three pages to each other and your clean work surface. Try to find a tape you can remove without damaging your paper, masking tape is a good option.
2. With your pencil, start on one page and, carefully not pushing down too hard as you reach the edge of a page, make long marks on all three pages. Repeat in a back and forth motion.
3. Using a felt tip marker, repeat the same steps, being careful to not tear the paper as you transition from one page to the next.
4. Draw with the felt-tip marker until you are satisfied.
5. Separate your drawings. You now have three unique art works!
Vocabulary
Line: a long narrow mark.
Contour: an outline, especially one representing or bounding the shape or form of something.
Space: a continuous area or expanse which is free, available, or unoccupied.
Visual Movement: principle of art that creates the impression of action.