portfolio: line work
The simplest base
Material
Can create the most
Complicated
Of structures
Nail & String
24″ x 24″ x 5″
Nail & String

The extreme geometrical form is common among my inspirations. I wanted to convert a 2D drawing in that style to 3D and demonstrate how curvature and smoothness can be created by using rigid & seemingly simple building blocks.

I drew a star shape using a pen and ruler because of its stark, geometrical edges. I ensured that each 2D curve had another in the opposite direction to increase the depth of the project. As I built the 3D model, I began to see the structure as more of an abstract building. I noticed that it was very center-heavy. Structures are meant to flow; therefore, I added strings outside of the structure to visually pull the piece away from its center.

Once completed, the project gave me a new perspective on this kind of 2D drawing that seems to beg to jump off of the paper; it turned out exactly as planned.


Depth
12″ x 12″
Pen & Paper & Ruler

The physical draw that a building can make you feel is tantalizing. I hoped to create a piece that demonstrated the three-dimensional movement that draws you into a space. The image that came to mind was a hallway that seemed to pull the individual through to the end like a funnel.

To create a sense of compression, I drew an octagon so the theoretical hallway could progress from a larger opening into a thin ovular shape. I aimed to control the eye’s perception to see the side polygons as walls; therefore, I allowed for little separation between lines. Noticing the complexity of the drawing I added a simple shape in the center to relax the eyes after being drawn to the middle from the inward progression. This was created with only a pen and ruler.

There is a certain draw to the center as I intended. However, the style became far more abstract due to my stream-of-consciousness process and I wanted to create a more realistic model. Planning has been a larger part of my design process since.
Chaos
12″ x 12″
Pen & Paper & Ruler

A very disheartening event happened in my family that deeply affected my mental processes and inspired a desire to express. As a representation, I wanted to draw an abstract line drawing of the emotion I felt.
I wanted to create a circle around the center to show the closed-off thoughts in my mind with those kept to myself turned inward and the stronger emotions that broke out of that circle pointing out. I made visually jarring points on many ends of the shape to display a painfully untouchable and sharp nature. This was created with only a pen and ruler.
The drawing is visually very stark and abrupt at every point. There were many failed sketches when trying to make the circle, and this project inspired me to play with curvature more often in future line drawings. My dad introduced this style of drawing to me, and creating this project felt like a tribute to him.
Mirror Image
13″ x 33″
Pen & Paper & Ruler & Mirror

I wanted to experiment with unorthodox methods of display with this project. Similar to my “Nail & String” project, I aimed to expand the work from 2D to 3D but this time in a purely optical way.

I typically measure very intently with these geometric line drawings. However, I failed to do that with this project and made the top of the drawing uneven. I decided to cut it off and work with my mistake. This is a partial reason why I use pen for most of my projects – I believe that art can be made more personal through mistakes. This was created with only a pen and ruler.

I am glad that I made the mistake of measuring incorrectly – I was able to create a better piece of art out of the issue. Rather than this project being a simple line drawing as I have done before, it became much more than that when presented through its reflection.
