Lines & Patterns

Lines are marks that move in a direction, and patterns are lines or shapes repeated in order.

Reading is good — doing is better. Practice Lines & patterns as an interactive lesson.

Definition

A line is a long mark made by a pencil, crayon, or brush that connects two points or keeps going. When you use lines or shapes over and over in the same order, you create a pattern. Lines and patterns are two of the most important building blocks in art.

Remember the rule

Lines + Repeat = Pattern. Pick a line or shape, use it again and again in order, and you have made a pattern!

Key words

Line: A mark that moves from one place to another, like a path your pencil makes.
Straight line: A line that goes from one point to another without any curves or bends.
Curved line: A line that bends and swoops like a wave or a hill.
Zigzag line: A line that goes up and down in sharp points, like a lightning bolt.
Diagonal line: A line that goes on a slant, leaning to one side like a slide.
Pattern: A design made by repeating lines, shapes, or colors in a set order.
Repeat: To do the same thing again and again in the same order.
Horizontal line: A line that goes straight across, like the horizon where the sky meets the ground.

Worked examples

Draw a pattern using straight lines.

→ Draw a straight line, then a straight line, then a straight line — keep going across the page: | | | | | · Because the same line repeats in the same order, this is a pattern.

Make a pattern using two different lines: wavy and zigzag.

→ Draw a wavy line, then a zigzag line, then a wavy line, then a zigzag line: ~~~^^~~~^^ · Two things can take turns repeating and still make a pattern.

Is this a pattern? Circle, circle, circle, circle.

→ Yes! The same shape repeats in the same order, so it is a pattern. · Patterns do not have to use lines — shapes work too.

Make a border pattern for a piece of artwork using three lines: straight, curved, straight, curved.

→ Draw a straight line across, then a curved line under it, then straight, then curved — keep going until the border is full. · Artists use line patterns as borders to make their work look finished and decorative.

Which kind of line looks the most like energy or excitement?

→ A zigzag line feels full of energy because its sharp points move fast and change direction quickly. · Artists choose different lines on purpose to show different feelings.

Create a pattern with three parts: zigzag, dot, straight line — zigzag, dot, straight line.

→ Draw a zigzag, then one dot, then a straight line, then repeat: /\/\ • — /\/\ • — · A pattern with three parts in order is called an AB C pattern.

Common mistakes

Making a random mix of lines and calling it a pattern — a real pattern must repeat in the same order every time.
Forgetting to keep the spacing even, which can make the pattern hard to see.
Changing the order partway through, for example starting zigzag-straight but then switching to straight-zigzag.
Thinking only straight lines count — curved, wavy, and zigzag lines are just as important.
Pressing too hard or too soft on different lines so they look uneven when they should look the same.

FAQs

What is the difference between a line and a pattern?

A line is just one mark. A pattern is what you get when you repeat that mark or other marks in the same order over and over.

How many times does something have to repeat to be a pattern?

At least two or three times so you can see the order. The more it repeats, the clearer the pattern becomes.

Can colors be part of a pattern?

Yes! You can repeat colors in order — like red, blue, red, blue — and that is a color pattern. In art, colors and lines often work together to make patterns.

Why do artists use patterns?

Patterns make artwork look organized, interesting, and beautiful. They also help fill spaces and can show movement or texture.

Is a rainbow a pattern?

Yes! A rainbow repeats the same colors in the same order every single time — red, orange, yellow, green, blue, violet — so it is a pattern found in nature.

What if my lines are a little wobbly — does that ruin the pattern?

Not at all! Wobbly or imperfect lines are part of hand-made art. As long as the order repeats, it is still a pattern. Practice helps lines get steadier over time.

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