Along with dots, lines are one of the most basic elements of visual art. The word refers to any mark between two points. Lines can be straight, curved, vertical or horizontal. Lines can be used to draw outlines or to create movement. Most of us have drawn something using only lines. In fact, when you are writing, you are using lines! The key to making lines work well is to know the medium you are using. If you use a pencil, you will need to know how to hold it, how to apply just the right amount of pressure and how to move your hand – it might sound like a lot, but it is quite simple! If you have extra time, you can watch the video below to find out more about using a pencil!

How to Hold and Control Your Pencil


Fun facts: Some pencils are harder, some are softer. With a soft pencil, you can easily get darker shades. The softness of a pencil is indicated with letters and numbers - take a look at your own pencil! Chances are, it says "HB" on the shaft. This is the softness of a standard writing pencil. Soft pencils are named with a number and the letter B - the bigger the number, the softer the pencil. So 2B is quite close to HB, while 8B is very soft and dark. 


Line art can refer to any piece of art in which the main components are lines - so no shading, or texture. A fun way of making line art is trying to hold the pencil down - so have it touching the paper at all times! Some very famous artists such as Pablo Picasso or Rembrandt have done line art in this way.

Test 1.1 Test out drawing using only dots or lines. Pick a subject – it can be something in the classroom or in your bag. First, make a small pencil drawing in your sketchbook or on a small piece of paper using only lines – so no shading! The key is to trace the shape of the object. Remember to look at the object and trace the lines as you can see them, not the way you think they are supposed to look!

Next, you can test out different ways of drawing: hold the pencil against the paper without lifting it up, use only your left hand, draw with your eyes closed!