Elements of Art and Architecture Art Appreciation 153 – Heidi Lung

Elements of Art Chapter 2 in your text covers the elements of art. With these seven primary elements, artists are able to create incredibly diverse images, from the Egyptian pyramids to the Mona Lisa. This chapter is an introduction to the vocabulary of the language of art. Like art historians, we will be using the Elements of Art vocabulary throughout the semester. The Elements of Art are: Line, Shape, Form, Space, Value, Color and Texture

Line Refers to the continuous mark made on a surface by a moving point. By varying length and width, or by choosing various types of lines - straight, curved, or angular – the artist can create an image of great complexity. Lines convey different moods – the energy in the lines of fig. 2-2 in your text, make the work exciting. Line may be: 2 - dimensional -pencil, pen, brush 3 - dimensional-wire in space Implied-the edge of a shape or form

Line Varying a line’s width or weight creates a sense of depth. Lines that describe the edges of forms are called contour lines. Powerful gestural lines can define space and be specific and evocative, even in an abstraction.

Shape Shape is an enclosed area defined and determined by other art elements such as line, color, value and texture. In panting and drawing, shapes may take on the appearance of solid three dimensional objects even though they are limited to dimensions of length and width. Shapes can be geometric (squares, circles, triangles) or organic (wild, uneven, from nature).

Form Form is 3 dimensional and encloses volume inside. Examples of forms are cubes, spheres and pyramids. In art we think of forms as sculpture.

Space Space refers to the distance or area between, around, above, below, or within things. It can be 2 dimensional or 3 dimensional. Space can also be broken down into positive and negative space. Positive space would be the subject matter of an artwork, negative space would be the empty area around the subject.

Value Value refers to the lightness or darkness of a color or tone in a work of art. A full range of values creates the illusion of three dimensions in a two dimensional work. If you want your drawings to pop out, choose a light source and don’t be afraid to add lots of value.

Value includes Light and Shadow The contrast between light and shadow is called chiaroscuro. The light focuses our attention and directs the movement of our eyes. Artists can use changes in tonal values to model forms.

Color Color can be broken up into three sets; primary, secondary, and intermediate colors. Color has three properties: Hue, the name of the color, like red, yellow, or blue, etc. 2. Intensity, the purity and strength of a color, such as bright red or dark red 3. Value, the lightness or darkness of a color.

Texture Texture refers to the surface quality or “feel” of a work of art. Textures can be actual or simulated. Actual textures would be something that you could physically feel with your fingers, while simulated textures are suggested by the way the artist has created certain areas of an image.

Chapter 3 Principles of Design The artist reflects our basic desire for order when he or she designs the environment of a work of art. The principles of design are used to organize the elements in a work of art.

Principles of Design Symmetrical Balance An equivalence of shape and position on opposing sides of a central axis. Produces a feeling of calm and order. Axis – an imaginary line passing through a figure, building, composition, etc., about which its principal parts are arranged

Principles of Design Radial Balance All elements revolve around a central point. In many cultures the circle is considered a perfect form By basing this building on a series of circular elements sharing the same center, order and rationality are emphasized This was seen in the Renaissance as a representation of ideal forms and divine balance

Principles of Design Asymmetrical Balance More dependent on an intuitive balancing of visual weights. While symmetry is static, asymmetry is active. Creating balance will be more challenging but also more dynamic (than with symmetrical or radial balance).

Principles of Design Emphasis Essential for success in a work of art. If all parts are of equal value it becomes monotonous. Ways artists create emphasis: relative size - the figures are largest – they are the most important elements lines of force – the figure creates a diagonal line of force, the eagle counters it focal point – where the lines of force cross contrast – a contrast of light & dark areas draws attention to the main subject

Principles of Design Harmony Harmony can create unity in a composition. Sympathy of the forms creates a sense of harmony – here by repeating the soft, organic shapes. Colors can create harmony – by mixing white with each of the colors here the pastel colors harmonize. The bright yellow orange compliments the soft tints and adds a focal point.

Principles of Design Proportion & Scale Proportion compares the parts of one thing to each other Scale is the relation between something and a constant (like human scale) Artists from the time of Ancient Egypt & Greece down to the Renaissance have pursued a quest for “ideal” proportions; often using mathematics as a determining factor Some artists distort “normal” proportions for expressive purposes

How to Analyze Architecture Just like we use the Elements of Art and Principles of Design, we have some special elements we utilize when talking about architecture.

Qualities of Architecture Architecture should embody: Function: its purpose shown in a floor plan Structure: should be sound bearing both “dead” load (all of the materials/static weight of the building) as well as “live” loads (wind, traffic, tremors) Beauty: “Architecture art begins with the physical and ends with the psychological”. To gauge a buildings beauty, we use the following aesthetic considerations.

Rhythm Patterns, dynamics, horizontal and verticals St. Louis Basilica

Space, Size, Mass & Scale In relation to: the human body the location & environment other buildings around it

Light Natural or artificial Charters Cathedral

Texture, Ornament & Color Frank Lloyd Wright

Site Frak Lloyd Wright’s Falling Water

Acoustics