Hello Lisa.

Welcome back to another edition of THE PENCIL CASE! As always, each issue focuses on a theme to encourage a fresh look at garden design and graphics. Today I'd love to share a secret to great garden graphics: LINE WEIGHTS. ♥︎

FOCUS ON LINE WEIGHTS.

Let me first explain the term, GARDEN GRAPHICS. These are the drawings that help communicate your design ideas to others. We could try to verbalize or write out what we envision in our head, but drawing our garden design helps clarify the details.

There are many important components to successful garden graphics, but if you had to start with one, focus on LINE WEIGHTS. You will see a huge impact in your graphic communication techniques by practicing this one skill.

LINE WEIGHTS DEFINED.

Essentially a line weight is the line width you create with your pencil or pen. One line weight makes your drawing look flat, while a variety of line weights will assist in communicating your garden design as a three-dimensional space. Since we are proposing real-life garden spaces, it's important to inject that feeling of depth and clarity to our drawings. It's pretty powerful.

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To get started here are a couple of things to consider when exploring line weights:

When looking at a plan view (from the sky down), objects closer to you (like canopy trees) have thicker lines, while elements farthest away (like paving details) are the thinnest. 

Another tip is to make any line inside an object thinner than the one on the outside. For instance, make the branching on a plant symbol thinner than the outside circle that surrounds it or brick paver lines would be thinner than the overall line around the patio.

LINE WEIGHT INSPIRATION.

Here is a post I wrote on Line Weights for Landscape Plans that provides before and after garden plan examples, plus additional tips.

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For those curious about what tools I use take a peek at Pen Options for Line Weights.

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This article shows how I use Line Weights for Plants in Plan View.

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I deep dive into line weights during my course: Garden Graphics Tool Kit. This is offered once a year in January if you'd like to join me.

LET'S DO THIS!

Start practicing line weights by simply drawing plant symbols in plan view. Walk around your house and collect a variety of pens and pencils that can provide different line thicknesses, then draw and have fun!

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Before we wrap-up this week I want to share a fun travel opportunity to England with the editors of Garden Gate and Horticulture Magazine this fall. Dreamy. ♥︎

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If you know someone that needs design inspiration, please feel free to share this newsletter. Anyone can subscribe right here. I also keep a VAULT of past issues in this secret location.

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Thanks for letting me visit your inbox! I look forward to seeing you so very soon.

Happy spring,

Lisa 

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PAPER GARDEN WORKSHOP