Op Art Line Drawing

Supplies: Paper, pencil

Optional Supplies: Pencil crayons, black marker

Challenge: You will be creating an abstract drawing that uses lines to create an optical illusion. The idea is that the lines create the look of 3D objects on a 2D piece of paper. By then adding value (shading) the image will look even more 3D. Follow the directions below to achieve this look.

Step 1: Divide your page using multiple vertical lines. The lines should not be perfectly straight, but rather should “snake” across the page in s-shaped patterns. Do as many lines as you would like, and have some lines closer together, while others are further apart.

Step 2: Divide the paper in half, using a line that goes through the page horizontally. The line does not need to be straight.

Step 3: After dividing your paper in half, you have a top and a bottom. Lines on the top half will arch like rainbows, and lines on the bottom half will arch in the direction of U.

Use as many lines as needed to fill the space;
space them out evenly.

Step 4: Fill the entire page with small arched lines
that arc away from the center line.

Step 5: If you have pencil crayons available (or just do shading with a pencil if you do not have pencil crayons), you will be shading the shapes you have created to add to the 3D optical effect. Think of each space as a “tube” on the outer edge of each “tube” (or where the shapes meet) colour darker by pressing harder, towards the middle of the “tube” colour lighter or even leave some of the white of the paper showing. This shading technique is known as “value” and makes objects appear more 3-dimentional. See finished examples below.

If you are stuck, watch this video on shading: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WR-FyUQc6I

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