“I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn’t say in any other way—things I had no words for.” Georgia O’Keeffe
Before proceeding to the second lesson, take a moment to step back into the energy.
For a refresher, click > Basic Design Descriptions and Shapes and Basic Directions
In this post, we will focus on incorporating basic shapes and line directions into this comprehensive lesson plan.
Defining Space: Shape and Direction
In the Lesson One, you created your first five sets of three artworks, exploring design variations by rendering art with lines, opaque planes, and tonal areas.
No doubt you experienced how each creation becomes a playful small work. Each set of three used the same basic elements, and each rendering delivered its own statement that could stand alone or be displayed as part of a progressive series.
You’ve completed an introductory basic element study of the first marks used to create art! Now we’ll add three more sets of three small works, each using basic shapes and incorporating the four Basic Line Descriptions and a subset of Five Line Descriptions as mapped out in the lesson plan.
Circle, Square, and Triangle
Basic shapes morph into ovals, rectangles, and interesting triangular shapes. Each basic shape can serve as a basis for an entire composition strategy, creating a pleasing flow of elements. We’ll cover composition strategies later in this artistic development course. For now, let’s focus on this lesson.
The following simple graphic retraces what we previously covered. In this example the three basic shapes are rendered as a simple well defined line, a plane, and a tone.
The Next Experience
In this exploration, we’ll expand by incorporating shape variation in addition to choosing from the line descriptions + plane, and tone.
You’ll experiment with small, medium, and large basic shapes, opaque plane, and tone.
Plus, you’ll get to further develop your small works by consciously choosing from the following line descriptions.
There are four Basic Line Descriptions and five Subset Line Descriptions.
The idea behind the repetitive practice in this lesson is to thoroughly understand that the amazing effects of line variation in your art can translate into captivating visual interest.
Plus, the varied sizes of small, medium, and large-shaped focal points and support elements also deepen interest and artistic skill. Using lines and varied shapes in interesting ways can help define all areas of your composition’s landscape.
The Nine Additional Line Descriptions
Basic Line Descriptions
- straight (also diagonal)
- horizontal
- vertical
- curved
Subset Line Descriptions
- zigzag
- contour
- implied
- dotted
- dashed
Let’s Get Started
The guidelines for this lesson provide a lot of freedom to explore very interesting and creative combinations that stretch your imagination.
You’ll get to interpret your reference art in completely new ways!
You’ll create three sets of three small works. So, gather up nine uniform small canvases or whatever composition material you are using. Also, feel free to use whatever rendering or painting materials you like. You can even incorporate collage.
The Rules for this Lesson
Each set of three will include your choice of basic elements of line, plane, and tone: all three or in any combination. (Draw from what you liked best from your previous artworks.)
Plus, and this is where the challenge begins, adding basic shapes. One set will primarily feature circular shapes, the next, squares, and the third, triangles. Also, the sizes of these three basic shapes can vary between small, medium, and large.
In addition, you’ll add variation in your rendering style by choosing three of the ten basic directions until you’ve used all of them. Since there are nine variations, an easy choice is to choose three for each artwork.
Remember, repetition builds skill and trains your subconscious mind how to incorporate new, interesting elements in your existing artwork. Therefore, repeat the combination you detailed through each set of three.
Three Image Examples in this Post
For the three work study examples, I chose the following combinations:
1. Line, Plane, Tone, Circle, Curves, Dashes, Dots
2. Line, Plane, Tone, Square, Vertical, Horizontal, ZigZag
3. Line, Plane, Tone, Triangle, Straight, Contour, Implied
You can download each graphic to examine the elements closely. The contoured lines, implied line, and subtle triangles incorporated into the third image at the left are adventurous choices.
Notice how the line directions are interpreted in all three as creative representations of spaces in the reference photo (just as you did in the previous lesson).
Be sure to study the examples and identify all nine line qualities!
You’ll find interpreting your chosen reference material using a Small, Medium, and/or Large Basic Shape, and variations of three different Line Descriptions in each set of three small works an invigorating, creative work study.
What you experience creating the nine small works is a rich and exciting challenge for any artist, experienced or a beginner. You might find this lesson addictive because it asks you to incorporate interesting rendering options that may feel like unusual choices. Ideas that flow into your future art from this lesson may be subtle; others, bold!
Keep Practicing
You can also create additional projects of multiple artworks, exploring more combinations created from this lesson’s formula. Many skilled artists use this repetitive formula to stimulate their imagination when creating small comps before pursuing larger works.
Be sure to take notes in your art journal as you move through each lesson. Reference back to what you liked, what you loved, and what still feels mysterious! You’re giving your inner creator fuel, and creative and intuitive responses will follow.
Also, notice how your creativity is already evolving.
There is something magical about creating in multiples of three. This bears repeating: remember to notice what you like—and keep doing more of that!
Also, leave me a comment anytime. Let me know if you need additional coaching, even if you come across the lesson plan through searching for free online art courses. I am always happy to help.
The Next Lesson
In the third lesson, you’ll continue using the same small work format. Next, we will incorporate Basic Surfaces and Surface Enrichments. Texture and surface enhancement offer a chance to explore exceptionally creative artistic mediums.
You’ll get to dig out some art materials you tucked away, knowing someday you’d find a use for them! Bring your curiosity as we continue building your visual design toolkit. 🎨
Click here, to bookmark > Art and Design Tutorial table of contents
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