Elements of Art & Principles of Design

Elements of Art Line Shape Form Color Value Texture Space

Line Line: a mark made by a tool, brush, pencil, stick, pen, etc. A line is created by the movement of a tool and pigment and often suggests movement in a drawing or painting.

Types of Lines Contour Lines- indicate the edges of forms and shapes and describe them in the simplest way. Gestural Lines- indicate action and physical movement. Our eyes follow the line as they move across the page. Implied Lines- our eyes often read edges of objects as implied lines. Dots and short lines also create implied lines across the page.

Shape Geometric Shape- Shape is an area that is created by connecting a solid line or it is contained within an implied line. It can be seen and identified because of color or value changes. Shapes can be either geometric and organic. Organic Picasso, Three Musicians

Shape Can Be Created With Positive & Negative Space Positive Space Negative Space

Form Form-describes volume and mass, or the three dimensional aspects of an object that take up space. Bernini, Apollo & Daphne, 1622-1625

Color –is the element of art that is produced when light, striking an object, is reflected back into the eye. Color depends on light because it is made up of it. Color

Complimentary Colors

Value Jean Metzinger, 1911

Monochromatic Picasso

Texture Actual Texture: describes the surface quality we can feel with our fingers. Deborah Butterfield VS. Simulated Texture: (also known as visual texture) occur when a smooth painting surface appear to be textured. Van Gogh, The Reaper, 1889

Texture continued… Contrast between smooth and textured areas emphasizes the heavy texture. Broken lines and edges help to emphasize actual textures. Painting with a dry brush produces visual texture. Color and value contrast help you “feel” the texture with your eyes. Rouault, The Old King, 1937

Atmospheric Perspective Space Actual space is a three- dimensional volume that can be empty or filled with objects. It has width, height and depth. Space that appears in three-dimensional in a painting or drawing is an illusion that creates the feeling of actual depth. Various techniques can be used to create this illusion. Atmospheric Perspective Linear Perspective Overlapping

Example of Space In A Painting Hard edges and more vibrant colors are in the foreground. While softer edges and colors are in the background. Buildings overlap each other. Size of people get smaller the farther they are in the distance. Robert Henri, Snow in New York, 1902

Principles of Design Balance Movement Rhythm Contrast Emphasis Pattern Unity

Balance Refers to the distribution of visual weight in a work of art. Balance can be symmetrical or asymmetrical. Symmetrical Asymmetrical

Movement Visual movement is used by an artist to direct the viewer’s eye through the artwork, often to a focal area. Movement can be directed along lines, edges, shapes and colors within the artwork.

Marcel Duchamp, Nude Descending a Staircase, 1912 Rhythm Rhythm is the repetition of visual movement—colors, shapes, or lines. Variety helps keep the artwork exciting and active. Grant Wood, Young Corn, 1931 Marcel Duchamp, Nude Descending a Staircase, 1912

Contrast Refers to differences in value, colors, textures, shapes and other elements. High Value Contrast Color Contrast Warm Cool Temperature Contrast Texture Contrast

Andrew Wyeth, Christina’s World, 1948 Emphasis Emphasis is defined as an area or object within the artwork that the artist makes stand out, in order to draw the viewer’s eye there first. Where does your eye go first? Goya, The Third of May, 1808 Andrew Wyeth, Christina’s World, 1948

Pattern Pattern is a combination of elements or shapes repeated in a recurring and regular arrangement. M.C. Escher, Sky and Water, 1938

Kandinsky, Several Circles, 1926 Unity Unity in an artwork creates a sense of harmony and wholeness, by using similar elements within the composition and placing them in a way that brings them all together giving the artwork a sense of completion. Kandinsky, Several Circles, 1926 Van Gogh, Starry Night, 1889