Contour Lines

This piece is an example of a piece that is done using contour lines.  The lines in this picture create outlines that give the viewer a shape to view.  The figures that the lines create do not have any shading but instead include more lines to show how the shapes of the objects have been changed over time.  There is no thick border on the outside of these figures which is why the lines that form them are contour lines and not edges.  There is a hint of shading under the objects which look as if they were done using a stippling technique.

Lines--hatching

This drawing is called "The Citadel of Fear" by Virgil Finlay. Right away, it is quite easy to point out the major content in the work, such as the woman and the large hand reaching out to her. However, if you look closer, this drawing was done completely by drawing lines, aka hatching. She used 4 different styles of hatching (such as cross-hatching) while working on this particular piece. Even though its only in black and white, the artist was very particular in shading. By putting the lines closer together and repeating this process (the more times they go over it, the darker it becomes), the artist makes different objects stand out from each other. Or, if you look at the pillow, the artist used less lines and drew them further apart to create a lighter shade. Nothing is actually outlined with contour lines, but in this case, it is not needed. The artist did a marvelous job in shading and hatching that depth and content are easily visible.

--Alexis Swoyer

This drawing is a horse drawn using contour lines.  As you can see, it has the feeling of being a cartoon, and the figure is outlined all around in a thick black line.  It has no shading so there is no difference in value or hues in the work because it is strictly white and black.  Also, there is no stippling or hatching, just contour lines all around.  Angles are emphasized in this drawing as opposed to 3d forms.
-AnnMarie Pollock

Stippling

Both these pieces of art are done by the artist Noli Novak (Picture on Upper Left). Noli Novak signature style of art is stippling. The use of light and dark areas are very prominent in all her pieces of art. The positioning and amount of the dots are used to cause shadow and shading in both pieces shown. The lower picture shows primary colors with a warm feeling. The artist also plays around with shape and boundaries without definite lines. Her work is very intricate and astonishing to look at.

Line

This print is called Lil' Foxy and it is done by an artist on Etsy. First, the artist sketches using pencil and ink and then colors the picture digitally.Besides the color, one of the most striking elements of this print is the artist's use of lines. A contour line outlines the shape of the fox. Within the fox, lines are used to illustrate the fur. The lines used are both black and white. In the negative space behind the fox, a design using lines in white can be seen. The lines being used in this print are actual lines.

This is a 2D acrylic painting. It is a naturalistic style as you can tell by looking at the variations of color in the background. The subject of the painting in set in the vintage, 1960's era. By the way the women is sitting with her elbows propped up against the table, one can interpret that this painting is trying to convey female empowerment. She is taking over in the dynamic between herself and the man she is sitting with at the table. Also, she isn't sitting perfectly, rather she is sort of slouching to one side and she has a drink and cigarette in hand.

Boy and girl gazing at the moon

This art is a painting by Norman Rockwell. It has been called many things, (puppy love, little spooners, sunset, first love) but it is actually titled Boy and girl gazing at moon and the subject matter is exactly that. It is an oil painting, very representational everything looks real, there is a lot of negative space and the subject of the picture is centered on the canvas.


-Molly

M.C. Escher

M.C. Escher sketches very interesting pieces that draws in the attention of a diverse audience. Escher brings the ordinary performance of creating art into an extraordinary art piece. The objective of this monochromatic sketch is to create an illusion for the audience of a hand drawing a hand when in fact both hands have been drawn by Escher. The symbolism of this piece stems from the idea that no one knows where the beginning is, just like the idea of the "chicken and the egg". Where the hands begins, just like that of the chicken and the egg, no one knows because they constantly contradict each other. People are fascinated with this concept and Escher explores this in his art. The hands create two curved contour lines that allow the eyes to follow in a circular motion around the hands. Although the image is simple, the concept is mind-blowing and consumes the imagination of his audience around the world.

Dog

This is an Oil Painting of a dog. It portrays a dog who looks older in his life and seems sad. The artist does a good job of focusing on the dog and leaving the negative part of the painting white and blurred out. Also the white background and white specs around the mouth makes me believe the dog is in the snow.  The artist also uses a primary collar in red for the collar which makes it stand out against the rest of the painting. The painting is naturalistic.

Tree of Life

The Tree of Life is a very interesting piece of art, a totally man made tree with different animals carved into it. The ideas behind everything from the tree to the physical animals on it are naturalistic but the way everything is arranged around and is all over the actual trunk is totally abstract. The animals are popping out all over the place overlapping each other turning a very realistic view of a tree and conveying a whole new message. The idea of life and how trees are necessary to life is being shown through the carvings

This is "Hand with Reflecting Sphere" by M.C. Escher. It is a lithograph made in 1935. It is very much representative and naturalistic. One can clearly tell it is a hand with a sphere and image in that sphere. The detail put into the work is amazing. the sphere surly catches the attention of any view especially with the ground fading from a lighter gray to darker. The work is very interesting and almost like the oil painting from the text with the reflection of the room backwards. One can interpret this work to be one reflecting their own life, which is essentially in the palm of some higher spirit or being.

Life Strands

This drawing is called "Life Strands" by Hong Chun Zhang. He used a huge piece of paper that rolls out onto the floor and drew it with charcoal. You can tell it's a drawing by the distinct individual strands of hair that stick out in the braid. It is in black and white, therefore you can assume it is done with charcoal or a pencil like substance. This picture is representational of a long braid. There is no questioning that it isn't and it is extremely realistic. It almost looks as if it is 3D because of the shadows he uses. The iconography of this piece may be that the beginning of the braid represents a strong life and by the end it is fading away, symbolizing death.

This is an oil painting by Brain Duey. You are able to tell this is an oil painting because of the distinct brush strokes. This is a representational portrait because it represents Megan Fox, a well known actress of the 21st century. The pose in this painting is a very distinct pose for this actress because many pictures that are taken of her are in this stance.

Reporting of Form & Content: Adoration of the Magi

Adoration of the Magi by Filippino Lippi is an oil painting on panel (wood). A representation of the visitation of the three kings to the Christ child, Lippi used the primary colors in the garments of the main focus of Mary & Joseph in the Holy Family and the Magi. The Christ Child's garment is white, which symbolizes purity. The use of the white makes Him stand out while sitting on his Mother's lap. The primary colors were used against a dark, naturalistic wooden frame of possibly a barn,  in the background. The blue sky and landscaping are naturalistic, as well, and make this wooden structure stand out in contrast against the blue sky and green foliage.The faces on the main characters in the front show much love and devotion to this Child. The two characters to the right may be conversing about the Child, or from where they began their journey.

Artist  Jason Levesque is an illustrator who uses sketches that are later edited and colored using Photoshop to create unique and beautiful art (these are later produced into prints). Although representational in the way the women in his work are portrayed, there is an element of abstractness to his work. The scenes his subjects are placed in are fantasy like in nature. The colors of this work in particular are cool. He also uses white to provide a contrast and focus one's eye on the subject of the piece.