- Definition
An implied line is a line your eye "draws" when looking at an artwork, even though the artist didn't actually draw it. It's suggested by how shapes and objects are placed together.
A row of trees leading to a house in a painting creates an implied line that guides your eye toward the house.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: An implied line is like the invisible path your eyes follow when someone points at something, connecting their finger to the object.
Ask your child: Where do the pointing fingers or people's eyes in this picture lead your own eyes?
Common mix-up: Kids may think a line must be a solid, drawn mark. An implied line is one our brain creates by connecting separate objects, like following a person's gaze or a row of dots.
Examples
- The gazes of several people in a crowd all looking up at the same point create implied lines.
- A character pointing their finger at an object creates an implied line between the finger and the object.
- A series of stepping stones arranged in a curve creates an implied line for your eye to follow.
implied line is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
