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