Line first method

Lon Haverly · 11-21-2002, 03:43 AM

I have found myself using what I have come to call, for lack of a better term, "line first" method of drawing, which simply is drawing the subject one line at a time with the focus on the accuracy of the line more than the overall form. If each line is right, the form will be right. It is a very fast way to draw, since it cuts down on mistakes. It is a way of seeing your subject with quick glances from the subject to the drawing, and a very analytical way to draw.

Line first places the emphasis on the accuracy, style, thickness, angle and intensity of each line, rather than just the shape of the final form. Many artists scribble their way to a form, and in the process, ignore the quality of line, resulting in a poorly executed drawing.

I have a strict procedure that I use which guides me through the drawing to a completed form, but in the process, I make each line count. Many times, I never draw the line more than once. It is a very economic way to draw, and really a must when you do as I do, draw ten to twenty minute sketches from life day in and day out.

Enzie Shahmiri · 11-21-2002, 07:00 PM

Lon, a long time ago, I believe it was the Renaissance, the prevailing respect for an artist

Lon Haverly · 11-23-2002, 01:15 PM

Drawing a line is a different world than painting. But drawing has a big impact on painting. Line first drawing helps you with your confidence. It crosses over into painting when you apply the same careful and artful approach to your brush. In painting, you want each stroke to count as well. Some people like to go over and over their oil painting. I do not. I suppose that it why I do not underpaint much, except to lay out the form with my brush. I am not really much of an art student, tho, who studies how other people have done it. I just do it. I don't know about art history or art appreciation, or all the methodology there is out there. All I know is what I have learned from experience, not from books.

Julianne Lowman · 12-04-2002, 10:28 AM

Lon, can you show an example of this concept?

Lon Haverly · 12-05-2002, 03:31 AM

Somewhere on this site is a drawing of a spaniel pup I drew in about five minutes. It was drawn one stroke style, or line first. I made each line only once, but carefully. It is just a mind set. It is placing greater importance on each line and its style, strength, direction and flare. If every line is correct, the drawing will be correct. Right? Well, hopefully. That is the idea, anyway. It works well for me, in the short sketch venu. I think some people have a different mind set when they start a subject. They go for the form with little regard to the style of lines that they make. Not that that is wrong. It is just a different approach. Some call it gesture drawing. You scribble out the form, then define it more and more as you go with the overall form in mind rather than the lines. This method, gesture, works well if you are drawing out of your imagination without any reference to look at. Your very gestured lines become the reference. Line first is just a term which I use to describe the opposite of gesture drawing, which is, you might say, form first.

I consider line first a primary discipline worthy of any beginner's training, as well as gesture. Too often, line is sadly neglected. I was taught it at a very early age, but it was not coined in that phrase.

I am really not much of a painter, but I am working on it. I draw, and will paint if asked to. My painting has taken a turn for the better since I have been a part of this Forum. Thank you, Cynthia.

Cynthia Daniel · 12-05-2002, 08:44 AM

Thank you for your appreciation, Lon. Appreciation is always welcomed!

Karin Wells · 12-22-2002, 02:10 AM

Lon, I think that you're on to something. This is one of my favorite artists who draws with the most supurb sensitivity and precision of line...Ingres.

Karin Wells · 12-22-2002, 02:14 AM

Here is another. I am sorry I couldn't find a closeup detail that shows the quality of his linework. I believe that both of these examples are in pencil.

Lon Haverly · 03-06-2003, 01:05 AM

Sorry I am so long getting back to this thread. That is a very interesting example posted above, where the face is modeled in a smeared method, and the rest of the drawing is sketched more linear.

Julianne, below is a drawing (24" x 18") which utilizes lines exclusively in pencil. It had to be quick, as the models were not experienced, especially the baby. I try to make each line final, and make each line count. The line comprises everything - value, expression, everything. It is a very rewarding discipline, but one which takes a great deal of practice. I was taught the technique as a child, but did not value it until I was well into my drawing career.

Lon Haverly · 03-06-2003, 01:06 AM

The image is a little over saturated. These closer shots are more telling.