Tutorial 67 - Character of Line

This tutorial is part of a series based on line and the symbolic meaning we attribute them. 

Simply put, line can be used to separate two areas or it can be a single expression, a direction, a path, a character, a gesture and many more things.

Lines can communicate feelings very effectively. We can convey these feelings in our work by using lines, but we should try to be aware of what they represent.

Vertical. Straight up or straight down, or both. A tree, a tower, a post. These things are generally there to stay, unmovable. Rigid, formal, dignified, stable and strong. Perhaps masculine, phallic, penetrative. Esoterically, vertical lines represent the connection between Heaven and Earth so are often used in religious artworks.

Horizontal. Flat, still and quiet. The floor, the ground, the horizon. Something to rely on, a support, a base. Calm and peaceful. Perhaps feminine, receptive, supportive, Earthly. Esoterically, horizontal lines represent the passing from birth to death, duality, the 'is' and 'is not', good and evil.

Diagonal. Falling or rising, engaged, dynamic. Sliding, leaning, a slope to climb up or run down. Diagonal lines give us a sense of movement, that something is happening. Diagonal lines will appear in works with perspective to describe depth and the potential of moving forwards or backwards. Perhaps Diagonal is the child, the offspring of Vertical and Horizontal, it is not at rest, it is yet to discover if it will become Vertical or Horizontal.

Imagine these lines represented as a sword. A vertical sword is victorious, glorified, proud. A horizontal sword is peaceful, resting, surrendering. A diagonal sword is engaged, in action, striking or defending.

Interesting things happen when we combine these lines. We'll talk about that in another tutorial.