Line Love

Let's take a look at Aubrey Vincent Beardsley for our first exploration of fine lines.. I'm thinking "For the Love of Line" will be a reoccurring feature on this blog.
Beardsley was an important illustrator in the development of Art Nouveau and closely aligned with the Aesthetic movement, which included such artists as Oscar Wilde and James Whistler. I won't go into much personal detail of his life, as I have linked his wikipedia page where you can read further. He died at the early age of 25, leaving us only 6... 6 very marvelous years of work. Who knows what he would have produced if he had lived long enough to build on his momentum.
Let's take a look at a couple pieces..

This work is the frontis piece from Le Morte D'arthur. I've pulled these images from Aubrey Beardsley Art Images, where you can check out the rest of the volume as well as other illustrations. The line work is absolutely rich, with acute attention to contrast and balance. Below is the work "Salome", followed by "Isolde".

Beardsley was also well known for 'naughty' drawings, which referenced Japanese erotic illustrations and mythology. He  developed his printing technique using Japanese precedents in woodblock. I'm always blown away by the graceful power of the prints.. enjoy!