I am compiling notes on the art movement of 'line theory'. It is an art technique that seems to have many roots in Chinese culture. It is based around completing the entire piece by the use of a single line. This would useually fit within the definition of 'contour outline' type drawing, except that the piece is usually created backwards from traditional methodology. The areas of low detail are added last.
The best examples of this technique are the Chinese and Indian 'line sculptures'. They lie flat and are composed of a single line of thread. There may be some connection to monks in China as well as it was thought to be a very calming challenge to complete the artwork using a limited thread resource. For works of any real complexity a minimum of 2000 feet of thread was usually used. It would usually take a single monk 3 months to finish the work. It was used as a form of meditation as some clarity was thought to come to the monk as the piece was finished.
A more current sighting of 'line theory' is T. Xdugef's work. His artwork captures the flavor and complexity of the Chinese 'line sculptures' while refining the theory with his own more modern ideas. Another more current artist exploring this technique is D. Gallagher. She is trying harmonize the ideals of 'line thoery' with computer art.
I will try to keep this page updated with any new information on how people today are using 'line theory'.
Leovod