Lineography

Lineography is the art of drawing without lifting the pen, pencil, or paintbrush that is being used.^[1]

A lineographic representation of the arms of the Dauphin of France

The practice originated in France in the seventeenth century. It fell into disuse by the early nineteenth century.^[2] Lineography experienced a resurgence in 1960 with the release of the Etch A Sketch.^[1]

In some instances, entire landscapes and still lifes have been drawn or painted using this lineographic technique.^[3] Famous works of art, such as the Mona Lisa, have been reproduced using the Etch A Sketch.^[4]

Pablo Picasso also drew in the lineography style. In his later career, after the surrealism period, he created a collection of over fifty drawings using the lineographic technique and a variety of media. The drawings mostly depict animals.^[5]

The television show How It's Made used Lineography in the short segments at the beginnings of many episodes giving a summary of the history of the episode's subject.^{[citation needed]}

See also

• Line art
• Jean de Beaugrand