The Principles of Art Visual elements are the ingredients in making a great work of art. The visual elements are line, shape, pattern, texture, tone, form, pattern and colour. Art Principles are the ways in which the elements or ingredients are used or mixed.

VISUAL PRINCIPLES MOVEMENT/RHYTHM BALANCE UNITY EMPHASIS CONTRAST SPACE

MOVEMENT Movement is the path your eye takes through the art. Your eye can be asked to look at lines,edges, shapes and colour

Each artist has used the principle of movement in very different ways - how?

BALANCE Balance is visual weight of a piece of art. Symmetrical balance - both sides are mirror images Asymmetrical balance - one side is different Radial balance design - radiates out from center of art

How are these paintings balanced?

UNITY Unity is the feeling of harmony in an artwork. All of the parts belong together. Matisse: The Dance

In what way does this show unity? What other principles are being employed?

EMPHASIS Emphasis calls attention to a point in the artwork. How do these images have emphasis?

CONTRAST Contrast adds intensity to a piece of art. It can add depth and drama. The Inspiration of Matthew. Caravaggio

What different effects are created here by the use of contrast?

SPACE Space is the allusion of depth. It is the area around, between and behind. The Greeks used the idea of positive and negative space as did Matisse in the 20th Century.

Picasso and the cubists tried to define the space between, behind and around simultaneously. During the Renaissance perspective was invented. For The first time artsits could create the allusion of depth. A perfect example by Leonardo Da Vinci

How has this artist used space?

Look at a picture or object. Describe the lines. Are they horizontal, vertical, dotted, zigzag, curved, straight, bold or fine? Talk about the shapes and forms. Circle, square, triangle, and freeform are words used to identify shapes. Is it flat or 3D? What colours are used? Describe the texture of an item. (Is it rough, smooth, soft, etc.) How has tone been used? Is pattern used? Identify the art principles. Look for movement, balance, repetition, emphasis, contrast unity and space. Consider how the elements were combined to make the principle. PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER ……………..