Instructions: Practice drawing parallel lines. Parallel lines are straight lines that keep the same distance between them. They will never touch, even if extended forever.

Materials: Ruler, drawing paper, drawing implements such as pencils, fine-tipped pens or markers, or charcoal.

Keywords: Line, straight, freehand, ruler, parallel

Step 1: Draw a straight horizontal line.

Step 2: Draw a second straight horizontal line similar as shown below, keeping the same distance between them at all points. These two lines are parallel.

These two lines are also parallel.

If you extend the lines, they will not touch.

Step 3: Draw a straight horizontal line and a straight vertical line as shown below. These lines are not parallel. What happens if you extend the lines?

If you extend the lines, they cross.

Step 4: Draw a straight horizontal line and a straight diagonal line. These lines are not parallel. What happens if you extend the lines?

If you extend the lines, they cross.

Step 5: With a fresh piece of paper, draw anything you wish, but incorporate at least one set of parallel lines into your artwork. Use glue, scissors, colored paper, markers, paint, or anything else you desire to create your artwork.

See below a painting with lines by artist Piet Mondrian, entitled 'Tableau I.' Can you identify the lines that are parallel? Can you identify the lines that are not parallel?