EPVA

Points, Lines, Planes

Points and Dots
● Points are the simplest elements of visual design.

A point is a coordinate without any dimensions, without any area. We can´t

actually draw a point, since to see one would require it have dimensions but
what we can draw is a dot.

● Dots are the building blocks of everything else. Any other mark we make can
be seen as one or more dots in combination. Every shape, form, mass, or blob
with a recognizable center is essentially a dot regardless of its size.

As dots increase in size we start to see them as shapes, but they still retain
their fundamental dot-like qualities and characteristics.
Using Dots for Shading
● We can use dots to give objects shape, volume and a sense of depth.
● Dots that are close together make darker areas; dots that are farther apart make lighter
ones.
● We can show the contours of objects and give them a sense of volume by separating
dots or placing them closer together.
Using Dots for Coloring
●

●
 Pointillism
● Pointillism refers to a painting methodology in which
small dots of color are added to the support with the
intent of relying on optical color mixing for color
translation.
● Pure color is added on the painting surface in a manner
so that adjacent colors will affect how that color is
perceived by the viewer.
● *Optical color mixing is when a viewer perceives color
in an image as a result of two or more colors that are
positioned next to, or near each other. The perceived
color is not actually on the surface. Instead, the color
that the viewer perceives is what color(s) would result “A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte”
from the mixing of the colors that are actually on the by Georges-Pierre Seurat
surface.
○ For example, if yellow and blue are placed on a surface in close
enough proximity to one another, the viewer may perceive that the
color green is present – even though it is not on the surface at all.
Expressing Emotions Through Dots
● Yayoi Kusama’s
‘Dots Obsession’ series
of installations visually
approximates the
hallucinations Kusama
reportedly suffered
as a child.
Dots Activity!
● Think about how you’re feeling right
now, in this moment.
● Express how you’re feeling using a
dot, or dots.
● For example
○ You can make holes in your paper to
help demonstrate your feeling
○ You can draw symbols
○ You can create a general image
The Line
● The line, like the dot, is a simple
graphic element that we use to make
shapes and images.
● A line is the graphic representation of
a dot in motion or a line is a series of
points adjacent (next to) to each other.
● Where a point has no dimension, a
line has one dimension. They have a length, but nothing else.
● Lines can be straight, curved, broken, wavy, open, closed, etc.
Line is able to convey (show)...
●

●
Expressing Emotions through Lines
The Plane (or figure)
●

●
Types of Planes
Questions
1. What is the difference between a point and a dot?
2. Dots that are close together make _____________ areas; dots that are
farther apart make _____________ areas.
3. Pointillism relies on _____________ ___________ ____________ for color
translation.
4. A line is a graphic representation of a ____________ in motion.
5. Provide an example of expressing an emotion through line. Be sure to
draw the line and write the corresponding (or equivalent) emotion.
6. What are three things lines are able to convey?
7. Planes are an expressive element of _____________ ____________ that we use
to draw _____________.
8. What are the two types of planes?
9. What is the difference between the two types of planes?
Questions
1. What is the difference between a point and a dot?
2. Dots that are close together make darker areas; dots that are farther apart make
lighter areas.
3. Pointillism relies on optical color mixing for color translation.
4. A line is a graphic representation of a dot in motion.
5. Provide an example of expressing an emotion through line. Be sure to draw the
line and write the corresponding (or equivalent) emotion.
6. What are three things lines are able to convey? Focus, emotion, a sense of
direction, emotion, division of space
7. Planes are an expressive element of visual language that we use to draw shapes.
8. What are the two types of planes? Geometric shapes and organic shapes
9. What is the difference between the two types of planes? Geometric shapes are
regular shapes (circles, square, triangles, etc.) while organic shapes are irregular
figures/shapes.