Line Can Serve as a Contrast to Tone
This ink sketch uses line and tone to establish the contrast between the geometric architecture forms and the organic landscape forms.
Generally it is more aesthetically pleasing, for either line or tone to dominate a drawing while the other provides the accent. A drawing may consist primarily of line with tone as an accent, or a drawing may be made up of tone accented by line. Use the accent in the drawing’s focal point or in an area to which you wish to call more attention.
You may use a variety of mediums in line and tone drawings, or only one. Utilizing both line and tone in your drawings allows you to explore and discover new directions for your work. Starting with line and then adding tone, or developing a group of tones and then unifying it with line can help you express your ideas more fully. Your ability to work with different mediums, approaches and technical applications will improve with practice and repetition. As you experiment you will discover exciting new methods; practice will make you comfortable with them.
Line Can Serve as a Contrast to Tone
This ink sketch uses line and tone to establish the contrast between the geometric architecture forms and the organic landscape forms.
Along a Fjord
Fine-line pen on vellum
11" × 14" (28cm × 36cm)
Lines Can Bring Unity to a Tonal Drawing
This drawing is predominantly tonal. Linear accents clean up the toned edges, adding definition and refinement.
Marin Hills
Charcoal on vellum
18" × 24" (46cm × 61cm)