Silhouettes in Line Art

It seems that certain styles of art are like clothing styles - they come and go with each new decade. One style of art has been taking hold again. Line art is becoming more and more prevalent. You can even find it on websites that sell computer graphic art.

Line art comes in many various forms that you may not even realize are forms of line art. The most simplistic form of line art is the style showing silhouettes of people, animals and objects of various shapes and sizes. None of it is ever shaded or colored it, hence the name "line art."

Silhouettes are simplistic in nature leaving some people to believe that a child drew them. A wiser person would be able to tell the skill of the artist maybe from the type of media used such as graphite, ink, chalk, charcoal, etc. Sometimes a mere flower may elude your sight as the silhouette may not be recognizable at first.

Crowded outlines of various items could also be misconstrued while trying to make out what the artist may have been trying to interpret. A step back or forward should clear your vision for such awkwardness.

Outlining in line art is a style that might bring back memories of childhood. We all seem to how a train when we see one. Even a building or a vehicle should be recognizable no matter what make or model it is.

With line art, one is unlimited to what they can draw without having to fill in all the minute details. They do not even need to worry about shading or coloring. There are many artists using paint for line art, too. They either stick to one color or a certain group of colors to set their own style.

So why is line art so much the rage now? Are artist just trying to set yet another new supposed style? Are artist just getting lazy? Surely not! Line art has been around since the dawning of mankind. From the scratches and markings in caves through the time of calligraphers in Japan, line art has and always will be a tried and true form of art.

The real question is, "How valuable is line art?" That my friend is up the person who values it. Just like any other form of art, the value is as important to the person who wants it the most. That simple silhouette you did as a kid may have sentimental value to you, but when you are no longer around who will want it. That is hard to say.

Outlines of anything may not mean something to some people, but others who are interested will find line art to be a prize to keep. The next time you are out looking at art, take note of its style.