Sometimes, we outline a shape or areas of our art to make it more noticeable…imagine a coloring book. It can be more powerful, however, to make that area or shape stand out by adjusting its value instead of by outlining it. If we outline a shape it can become excessively noticeable, and hold the viewer’s eye in this one place. Remember that a the wonderful aspect of a line is it’s ability to cross in front of and behind shapes and areas in your art.

Notice, on the left side of the “Outlining Challenge Diagram” below, the outline around the square shape is not only diminishing this wonderful aspect of line, but is also creating too much contrast. The viewer’s eye becomes stuck in this one place. Remember that we want to create art that allows the viewer’s eye to move through all areas of our art. Sometimes outlining diminishes this. Notice, on the right side, how much the art is enhanced by allowing the line to just be a line and weave around the art. This complements the other shapes, and provides another “difference” to our art. The difference between lines and shapes is a powerful one, which we can use to enhance our art.