Line art or line drawing is any image that consists of distinct straight lines or curves placed against a background (usually plain), without gradations in shade (darkness) or hue (color) to represent two-dimensional or three-dimensional objects.

In modern line art, a line can be two-dimensional or three-dimensional, abstract, descriptive, or implied. Line art is often black and white, but not always. Elements like shading and color gradients are absent, allowing the focus to rest firmly on the lines themselves.

ome of today’s most famous artists, including Pablo Picasso and Leonardo da Vinci, created powerful line art. The works are often seen as “studies” or precursors to the painted masterpieces they’d eventually create.

Lines are the most basic visual element. Lines can be used to define shapes and figures, but also to indicate motion, emotion, and other elements. Combining the simplicity of minimalism with the hand-crafted charm of illustration, line art is one of the biggest design trends of 2021 and will continue into 2022.