In this art appreciation lesson, you will see how an artist uses lines and integrate the idea into your own work of art. George Catlin, The Cheyenne, a Republican Pawnee . 1832. Courtesy Art Resources NY. Most artworks begin with lines. Look at the unfinished lower half of this painting by George Catlin. Catlin uses lines in different ways. He used lines to draw the figure before he filled it in with paint. These outlines set boundaries for where the parts of the body are placed. He draws lines that show the folds of the cloth that lay across this man’s lap. Some lines describe objects like hair or fur. Where did he use thin lines? What are the thick lines describing? They describe changes in the position of the cloth. Lines can be thick, thin, wavy, long, or straight as they show different qualities of the objects. ART APPRECIATION LESSON 3: American Artist and History
Look for a variety of line qualities that describe what the artist saw.
1. Light lines show the edges of his arm.
2. Lines go from thick to thin in the blanket folds.
3. Heavy outlines show his leg.
4. Lines with soft edges are used on the ground.
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