Elements of Art Mr. Cross

LINE Line is a mark drawn with a pointed moving tool; lines are one- dimensional and are measured by lengths. There are Five Different Kinds of Line: (1) Vertical, (2) Horizontal, (3) Diagonal, (4) Curved and (5) Zigzag In a Sculpture, line can define the solid mass- it can serve as the outline. We perceive the “edges” of the surface, the masses and shadows created by sudden changes in path or alignment, as lines. However, most of the time when line is used as a three-dimensional term is used to talk about surface decoration on the form

Form Form is a three-dimensional mass: it is an object that has height, weight, and depth. Forms can be either geometric or organic three-dimensional art such as sculpture is composed of forms. Therefore, form can indicate both the individual parts and the entire structure of a sculpture.

Shape Shape is a two-dimensional, or flat, element. Like forms, shapes can be geometric or organic. Because it is a two-dimensional term, shape is best used to describe the silhouette or outline, of a sculpture.

TEXTURE Texture in sculpture is real: it can be touched and felt. This tactile quality clearly separates sculpture from two dimensional art forms such as painting or drawing. Many materials used in sculpture offer their own natural tactile textures, such as the grain of stone and wood, the smoothness of glass, or the rough texture of fired clay. However the sculptor can also control the tactile sensations of the work by creating his/her own texture using tools and materials.

SPACE Space refers to the emptiness or area between, around, above, below, or within objects. All objects, including you, take up space. Shapes and forms depend on space for their existence. In 2-D and 3-D art, shapes and forms are called the “positive space” or the “figure”. The empty spaces between shapes and forms are called “negative space” or “ground” As a sculptor it is important to consider both the forms of your work as well as the space around it.

VALUE Value is the lightness or darkness of a surface. In sculpture, values define a work by creating a pattern of light and dark that shows its three-dimensional form. A white sculpture will have more values that a black one because a greater range of shadows, or values, can be seen. Texture and planes also become more visible as the values changes.

COLOR Color is the quality of light; the color spectrum is created when light passes through a prism and is split into bands. Every medium has its own unique. As a sculpture you may wish to use this color as a finish for your work. You may also wish to change the color of the work using surface treatments, such as glaze, patinas or paint. Some materials such as clay have a long history of surface treatments. Glaze is the traditional treatment for clay. If you choose to use a nontraditional method of finish understand that this may influence the way your fellow artist