Elements and Principles of Art Elements of Art • Elements of art are the building blocks from which a piece of art is made; the alphabet of the visual world. Elements of Art • • • • • • • Line Shape Form Value Color Texture Space Line • A mark made by a pointed tool. • Can be long, short, straight, curved, thick, thin, etc. • Lines can be organic (round, found in nature) or geometric. (created by man) Shape • An area enclosed by a line. They can be geometric or organic, large or small, simple or complex, etc. Form • Forms differ from shapes in that they are threedimensional. Like shapes, they can be geometric or organic. Value • Light to Dark and all the shades inbetween. • Value creates the illusion of 3-Dimensions in paintings and drawings. • Here we can see how value creates the illusion of dimension on a flat surface. Value • Value creates the illusion of space to paintings and drawings. • In this artwork it gives a sense of space as it gets lighter as it recedes into the distance. Color • Colors are the hues in the artwork – red, blue, yellow, etc. • Color has Value, how light or dark it is. • Color has Intensity, how bright or dull it is. Color • Color can be divided by warm (reds, yellows and oranges, or cool (blues and greens). Color • Complementary Colors are across from each other on the color wheel, and can create visual interest, and emphasis. • Analogous colors are next to each other on the color wheel, they go well together and create a sense of peacefulness or unity. Texture • Texture is the feel or look of the surface – rough, smooth, grainy, lumpy, etc. • Textures can be actual or implied. • Texture can add visual interest, or variety to art. Space • Space is often separated into Positive or Negative space. The object in a composition is referred to as Positive Space, and the space surrounding it is referred to as Negative Space. Space • The illusion of space can be created through • Overlapping • Size • Value • Vanishing Point • Placement along horizon line Principles of Art Principles of Art • • • • • • • • Balance Movement Rhythm Contrast Emphasis Pattern Variety Unity Balance • The distribution of visual weight by the arrangement of elements; balance may be symmetrical (formal) or asymmetrical (informal) Movement • The visual path that a viewer’s eyes follow across a work of art, also the implied movement of lines: horizontal (calm/still), vertical (strong) and diagonal (action). Rhythm • The repetition of elements in a work of art; rhythm and movement work together to create a visual beat. Pattern • Planned or random repetitions of elements which help to create rhythm and unity in a piece of art. Contrast • The arrangement of opposite, or different elements in close proximity to create interest. Emphasis • Used when an element is given dominance, making it stand out. Variety • An assortment of lines, shapes, colors and other elements of art that create interest in a piece of artwork. Unity • The individual elements that work together to create harmony in a piece of art. When it is achieved the artwork feels and looks finished.