The Aesthetics of X-Junctions: Cognitive Constraints in the Art of Continuous-Line Caricature

Abstract

This article exposes cognitive constraints in production and perception of caricatures drawn with one continuous line. Constraints in production enable an artist to overcome the complexity of connecting all individual line segments of a conventional caricature. Constraints in perception enable an audience to overcome the complexity of inferring three-dimensional edges and shapes from two-dimensional line segments. In both production and perception, constraints exploit Xjunctions where the continuous line meets itself in crossing and tangent configurations that contribute to the aesthetics of these artworks.