Language of Lines

The task was about understanding the lines drawn by my classmates in COMA106. It was fun scrutinizing ‘anger’ through lines. Ty reading our paper if it interests you. It may also be applicable to other emotions or current states of mind, as well. (Proponents: Sergei Reyes, Duchess Garcia, and Tessa Ramos | A COMA106 Project for Prof. Maria Araceli Dans Lee)

Language of Lines

A hope that you can smolder your whiny classmate who has undeniably annoyed you for no good reason is called irritation. The urge for settling of scores when your best friend has spread lies about you can be called rage. And, pencil strokes erratically drawn, especially those containing sharp edges, can convey the idea of a mortal sin called anger.

Pundits have claimed that anger, as well as its synonyms irritation and rage, can be managed through art. Sometimes, when we doodle on a piece of paper, the symbols we unconsciously draw reveal our mental state; how we feel at the moment.

An outlet for frustrated artistic expression can define doodling, but it may also be described as pictorial symbolic forms that reflect our intuitive feelings. In other words, the images that are formed from mixed lines, or random shapes, and even abstract drawings comprised of curves, zigzags, and perhaps, heart shapes, can convey a thought.

In our study about the Language of Lines, we based our analysis of the drawings made during a COMA 106 class on the three elements shared by Sharon Bender, who studied the art of doodling. These elements are the following: Pressure, Placement, and Practice. According to Bender, graphologists rely on the characteristics of these elements to analyze or to interpret the personality or the emotional state of mind of the artist.

Pressure, is classified in four line weights, namely: light, medium, heavy, and erratic. The light and medium lines represent the people who have a tentative nature and a balanced outlook, respectively. The heavy and erratic lines, on the other hand, refer to people who are aggressive and have an instable thinking.

In our analysis, we based our judgments on the feel of the strokes and how dark or light they are. We also put into consideration whether the paper was torn or not. Surprisingly, there were three.

Most of the pencil strokes applied medium pressure. This reveals that these people have a reasonably well-balanced nature. In relation to anger, they are those who think before they act. They, possibly, weigh first the consequences of their actions.

The table below presents our inferences of the other line weight pressures:

LIGHT	HEAVY	ERRATIC
Receptive Sensitive Easily angered	Aggressive, yet controllable May reveal a temper when treated in a manner perceived as unfair or incorrect	Emotionally instable In an unreliable and untrustworthy state

Table 1 Pressure Interpretations

The second element, Placement, is the position of the drawing on the paper and it is categorized in five different areas: left, center, right, top, and bottom. The first three positions indicate if the artist is past-, present-, or future- oriented, respectively. The last two can determine whether the artist is a positive or a negative thinker.

In our analysis, we based the placements on the motion of the lines or shapes and where most of the doodles are. The distance from the edges of the paper was also considered.

Most of the drawings were placed at the left side of the paper; meaning, these people are apprehensive about the future. They are usually cautious, and they find it hard to let go of the past, as these people can also be thought of as nostalgic. Clearly, the past becomes a component of their pensive behavior. In relation to anger, it may be inferred that these people are not really the types that give second chances to those who have made mistakes. They find it hard to forgive as they make such a big deal of the past. People, not stereotypically, who usually have these traits are those who are shy and those who take a little longer to reveal their personality.

The table below shows our inferences of the other drawings concerning placement:

CENTER	RIGHT	TOP	BOTTOM
Present-oriented Self-centered, need attention Vocal when angry Pull away from possible restrictions Seldom seek reassurance from trusted others	Potential-oriented Outgoing Function best in the company of others When angry, they have a strong need to communicate their inner feelings with peers	Free- and Positive-thinkers Manage anger in the best way they know how Capable of expressing what they feel when they believe that their ideas are more important than those currently under discussion	Negative- thinkers Introverts They keep things to themselves when angry Although not submissive, they just want to be unobtrusive. Easily depressed

Table 2 Placement Interpretations

The final element, Practice, is sorted out in three ways: repetition, line under, and line over. Repetition of lines suggests that they are in a mood that rules the moment. Line under indicates that the person is seeking balance, while line over is a sign that the person is seeking refuge.

In our analysis, we based our judgments on the third element by looking at what was dominant in the drawing. We also considered the type of lines or marks drawn, such as: horizontal, vertical, zigzag, acute curve, shallow curve, and diagonal.

All repeated the lines or marks they drew; meaning, they are emotionally and mentally compulsive at the moment. In relation to anger, it may not be a good time for them to make serious or impartial decisions where others are concerned. They are considered to be in the highest level of their emotions.

In addition, most of the lines drawn were vertical lines and acute curves. Vertical lines indicate a sense of imprisonment. They may feel trapped, and they may be the types who usually cannot control their anger. Acute curves suggest that they are confused, more of being angry due to frustration.

The table below displays our inferences on the types and combination of lines drawn: (H means ‘Horizontal’, V means ‘Vertical’, Z means ‘Zigzag’, D means ‘Diagonal’, A means ‘Acute Curve’, and S means ‘Shallow Curve’.)

H & V	Z	D & A	D, H, & V	S	Z & A
Quiet + Strong Silent when too angry Tries to control anger	Experienced harsh reality Needs comfort when angry	Growing + Confusion Gets more angry and frustrated over time	Growing + Quiet + Strong Silent when too angry Able to control anger	Relaxed Can easily manage anger Possibly, not angry	Experienced harsh reality + Confusion Frustrated because of anger Easily depressed

Table 3 Interpretations of the Types of Lines

Having these data, we conclude that lines can suggest the feeling of intense anger when the artist erratically draws diagonal lines and acute curves on the center of the paper. In addition, some findings state that pointed or jagged lines best express anger. Clearly, the three elements help convey the idea of the emotion, anger, and it also does the same to other emotions as well.

Although all placements can be linked to anger, there are placements that suggest the said emotion. These are designs drew on the center or right side of the paper. Pressures that imply anger are designs erratically or heavily drawn. Lastly, the practice that is most likely to be linked to anger is repetition, but it also relies on the dominant design or pattern. Such designs that put forward anger include the following: pointed lines, wandering lines, bars, and dots.

Our subconscious mind is always attempting to contact us all the time but it is often interrupted by habitual conscious thought patterns or mundane trivia. This may explain why some people can be stressed after numerous daily thought processes. Because of this, graphologists suggest that one has to practice more favorable drawing, or doodling and even penmanship, techniques to enhance or modify his/ her state of mind, and possibly, his/her personality as well.

Web sources (***):

http://drawsketch.about.com/cs/tipsandideas/p/doodle_abstract.htm

http://www.pscelebrities.com/shelly/2006/10/doodling-as-creative-process.html

http://www.sharonbender.com/doodling.html

*** – All accessed last July 10, 2008