Definition

Noun: A drawing created using distinct straight or curved lines, without shading or blocks of color, to define the outlines and contours of forms or objects.

Usage

A "line drawing" is a fundamental artistic technique and a specific category of illustration. It focuses on clarity of form through line weight, direction, and quality, omitting tonal gradation.

Examples

• The architect presented a precise line drawing of the building's facade.
• The instruction manual uses simple line drawings to show how to assemble the furniture.
• Her sketchbook was filled with expressive line drawings of people in the park.

Advanced Usage

• "In line drawing": Used to describe a style or technique.
  • The artist specializes in portraiture in line drawing.
• As a modifier: "line-drawing style," "line-drawing technique."

Variants and Related Words

• Line art (n): A very close synonym, often used in digital and graphic design contexts.
• Contour drawing (n): A specific type of line drawing where the artist draws the visible edges of a form without looking at the paper.
• Wireframe (n): In 3D modeling, a visual representation of a model using only lines to show its structure, conceptually similar to a line drawing.

Synonyms

• Outline drawing
• Linear drawing

Antonyms

• Tonal drawing
• Shaded drawing
• Painting

Related Phrases/Concepts

• Continuous line drawing: A drawing created without lifting the drawing tool from the page.
• Blind contour drawing: A contour drawing executed without looking at the paper.

Noun

1. a drawing of the outlines of forms or objects