Art Criticism

Take a look at three paintings that use line differently.

Look at the paintings identified below. Read about them. You will find background information under or beside the picture in small print.

• Figure 5.3 (p. 91), Midnight Ride of Paul Revere
• Figure 5.21 (p. 97), Blessing Rain Chant
• Figure 5.22 (p. 98), I Got a Girl on Sourwood Mountain

Notice how line is used differently in each artwork and the varying effects they create.

Pssst- there is a handy (& short) list of lines and their meanings below. Think of it as the cheat sheet of lines- it will save you some time, work & help you to know what they mean.

Types of Lines and What They Have to Say:

Vertical lines are static or considered inactive. They don’t appear to move and seem to show stability. The can give the impression of dignity, poise, stiffness or formality.

Horizontal lines are also static and create a sense of peace, rest, quiet and stability. They make you feel content, relaxed and calm.

Diagonal and zigzag lines are active lines. They express action and movement because they seem to be pulled one way or the other. They are not at rest.

Diagonals express instability, tension, activity and excitement. Since they can appear to be either falling or rising, they sometimes make a viewer feel uncomfortable. Artists use them to add tension or to create an exciting mood.

Curved lines express action because they change direction. They can feel languid and are graceful or busy and boggling, depending on the length, number and direction of the curve(s). The less active the curve, the calmer the feeling.

Spiral curves wind around a central point. They are hypnotic and draw the eye to their center. *Arttalk (quote & paraphrase)

3.A. Identify and Interpret Lines

(Time: 1 hr.)

Choose your favorite painting from the two above, Midnight Ride of Paul Revere and I Got a Girl on Sourwood Mountain, and answer the following questions.

To do this exercise, scroll down to and click on it to bring up an edit box. Type your answers into the box. (Remember to put the title of the assignment at the top of the page.) When you are done, click to send it to your teacher.

(1) Identify at least 3 types of line used: (3)

(2) Describe each line and what type of mood or energy it creates (happy, haunting, busy, peaceful, explosive)? (3)

(3) What is the overall mood created when they are used together in the

painting? (4)

But before you start, look & listen below:

To give you a little more of an idea of what info you can get out of a few crooked lines, I‘ll interpret the lines in “Blessing Rain Chant,” answering these questions.

An Interpretation of the Lines in Blessing Rain Chant

Painting Skeleton: The Bare Lines “Blessing Rain Chant,”

Listen: Audio Interpretation (click on black arrow to hear "Interpretation: Blessing Rain Chant)
(If no audio below, listen to "Interpretation: Blessing Rain Chant" on main course page)

(MP3 audio)

(1)Blessing Rain Chanthas vertical, curved, spiral, horizontal, diagonal, and implied lines.

(2)The vertical lines are thick, black and imposing and create a reverential or sacred tone. Some are different bars of color almost seem to symbolize the passing of time, eras or seasons.

The curved/ spiral lines create a relaxed, patient, whimsical atmosphere- like lyrical sound, song or thought - hanging in the air. The spirals are hypnotic.

The horizontal lines are wavy and blur the edges of the black figures, softening them, also giving an impression of sound waves.

The diagonal lines of the leaves are curved and create an uplifting, fertile, growth-encouraging atmosphere.

The zigzag of the horned creature creates an energized, unpredictable, rapid-movement impression. It feels somewhat alarming.

(3) Overall, the mood created by the lines is one suggesting sacred rites, fertility and possible threat to that abundance/ survival with the presence of the snake creature entering the picture.

All interpretations will be slightly different because we all come with different experiences, associations and perceptions. As long as you support your ideas with evidence from the picture, your interpretation will be respected and is a legitimate interpretation.

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