LINE WEIGHTS

resources by PORTICO.SPACE
A line weight guide
& quick checklist

LINE WEIGHT GUIDE:

HEAVY LIGHT

Proximity Closest Mid-ground Distant

How close is it?

Materiality Heaviest Lightest

How visually or (Masonry, Concrete, Earth) (Fabrics, glass)
physically heavy is it?

Cut Cut Not cut.

Has it been cut to
reveal things we wouldn’t
normally see?

Edges, Outlines Outline Edge Surfaces

(Silhouette) (or Corner)
& Surfaces
How does it relate
to other lines around it?

• Aim for at least 4 line weights

• Select line weights appropriate to the scale and drawing type
• Remember that densely packed lines can change the perceived line weight.
resources by PORTICO.SPACE
 LINE WEIGHTS
resources by PORTICO.SPACE
A line weight guide
& quick checklist

QUICK CHECKLIST:

• Do you have at least 4 line weights?

• What is the first thing that jumps off the page? Is it what you
intend?

• Does the drawing make sense?

• Is there a balance of light and dark?

• Can you tell what is being cut through?

• Can you tell what is closest?

What is most distant?

• Can you tell the difference between different lines?

(E.g. a section line and a centre line?)

• Is everything that needs to be visible clearly visible?

• Are different elements differentiated by using different line types,

weights, darknesses, or colours?

If not, is it visually clear that different really are different?

• Have you been consistent?

• Have you used the same line-type for the same or similar elements
everywhere?

• Is anything missing?

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resources by PORTICO.SPACE