Formlines Form lines are the basic 'skeleton' structure of traditional Northwest Coast art. Primary form lines are the first design elements painted, defining the composition. Formlines usually start at a point, swell once and diminish to a point. Can you identify the formlines in these designs?

Primary form lines are usually black.Formlines, whether painted or carved in relief, for the basic structure of the design. Secondary form lines are usually red and lighter or thinner than the black primary form lines. Sometimes artists experiment by making the primary form lines red. The bottom two designs are on a painted skin apron. The design would have appeared to others as upside down (as shown) when worn.

Rarely other colours such as blue are used in tertiary spaces.

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