Elements of Art & Principles of Design

Elements of Art Elements form the basic vocabulary of visual design

Color Are light waves absorbed or reflected by everything around us Reflecting - all light waves, color will appear white Absorbing - all light waves, color will appear black Visible Light Spectrum Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet Color

Form Are three dimensional (3D) objects Two types of forms: Geometric Organic Form

Line Common lines are: Straight & Curved Thick & Thin Horizontal & Vertical Zig Zag Line

Are two-dimensional (2D) or flat Two forms Geometric Organic Shape

Space is: Empty place Surface in Around a work of art Positive space - refers to the area taken up by the object Negative space - refers to the area around the object Space

Is the way the surface feels when you touch it Texture

Value Is the lightness or darkness of a color Values are classified as: Tones Tints Value

Principles of Design Principles constitute the broader structural aspects of the composition.

Balance Describes how artists create visual weight Symmetrical Balance – both sides of an imaginary centerline are the same Asymmetrical Balance – each side of the imaginary centerline is different yet equal Radial Balance - in which forces or elements of a design come out or radiate from a central point Balance

Example of Symmetry

The Great Wave off Kanagawa Examples of Informal Balance or Asymmetry The Great Wave off Kanagawa by Katsushika Hokusai Baby at Play by Thomas Eakins

Examples of Radial Balance

Is used to create visual interest in a design Contrast

Is used to make certain parts stand out and grab your attention Focal point – is the place your eye is drawn to first Three Types: By Location By Contrast With the Unusual Emphasis

Emphasis by Location In the Dining Room by Berthe Morisot The young woman appears to be in the center of this painting. A lot of times, we naturally look in the center of the picture first like we would with a photo or camera.

Emphasis by Contrast Rembrandt. Self-Portrait c. 1629. Oil on canvas. Rembrandt uses value contrast to create a focal point in this work. Only the head and the area immediately around it are painted in light values. The background sinks into darkness.

Emphasizing with the Unusual   Time Transfixed, 1939 Artist: Rene Magritte (1898-1967) Surrealist By placing very unusual objects or impossible activities in a work, an artist can also create a focal point.

Describes the size, location or amount of one object in a design as compared to another object Can be used to create the illusion of depth Facial Proportion Proportion Body Proportion The basic rule of thumb is that the body is 7.5 or 8 times the size of the head.

Pattern Are created by repeating lines, shapes, or colors Two types: Regular Irregular Pattern

Vincent Van Gogh, Starry Night Refers to a regular repetition of elements of art to produce the look and feel of movement Rhythm Vincent Van Gogh, Starry Night

Is the impression that all elements of a design are working together to form a complete image Quality of wholeness or oneness Unity

Refers to a way of combining elements in ways to achieve intricate and complex designs Variety