Fascinated by Lines

So lately I have been fascinated by different artists use of lines. Mary Stewart, Director of Art Foundations at Florida State University, discusses in her book Launching the Imagination, the use of lines in cross-hatching and cross-contours to create intricate pseudo three-dimensional images. Albert Seveso uses both these techniques phenomenally in his work "David Lynch + Ice Cube".

The continuous curves on the left and right really draw your attention and give contrast to the face and background making the red and browns pop. Compared to Michelangelo's Head of Satyr in Launching the Imagination, the picture above demonstrates how a technique used 400 years ago can be translated into use in a modern medium to create something awesome. Michelangelo my have used cross-contours for hair but in my opinion Seveso takes it to a whole new level in the photo above in using it to create the eye-cuff and various other facial features.

In my personal work as a marketing consultant I have been experimenting with some other uses of lines. I recently finished designing the below business card w/ a client who already had a concept in mind.

He wanted his name and the text "owner" where it is located, his wife had a great idea of adding the line to the left of the text. While a horizontal line, like those placed below and above the letterhead, would have added the most stability. I think a vertical line was better than floating text not tethered to any stable object (Adam is also a very qualified accountant if you are looking for someone to do your taxes. My return this year should be more than I ever thought possible, just an fyi :) .