Form spaces The spaces between the form lines often also conform to the same rules as form lines. They often start at one point, swell once and taper to a point. These spaces between formlines are sometimes called form spaces. Like form lines, the top of an ovoid form space is thicker than the bottom.
One of the signs of a master artist is his/her ability to control form spaces. If form spaces are handled well, the design has a cohesiveness and integrity.
If form spaces are ignored, the design elements may look as though they have been plopped onto the page, without being connected as part of a single design.
The artists who painted these four boxes each treated the primary form lines in slightly different ways. The artist who painted this box used light form lines.
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The artist who painted this box used very heavy form lines.
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The artist who painted this chest end used much lighter form lines.
This dish has heavy black form lines that do not flow easily. The artist seems to understand the use of form spaces, but the overall design does not have the 'tension' in many other designs.
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Further readings on Northwest Coast art.