the language of art Art is a visual “language,” practiced differently by every culture. Like any language it has a “vocabulary” and a “grammar.” And like languages, we can understand them if we know the vocabulary and the grammar. In art, the vocabulary is known as the Elements of Art, and the grammar as the Principles of Design. By using the links and other resources here, you’ll visit sites that explain and illustrate each of these elements and principles and you’ll become more fluent in the “language” of art.

the elements of art If you think of art as a language, the Elements of Art would be the words the artist uses, the basic vocabulary of art: Line, Shape, Form, Value, Color, Space and Texture. the principles of design These are the grammar that governs art’s vocabulary: Balance, Movement, Rhythm, Contrast, Emphasis, Pattern, and Unity

Line defines space, contours and outlines, or suggests mass and volume Line defines space, contours and outlines, or suggests mass and volume. It may be a continuous mark made or implied by the edges of shapes and forms. Shape is a contour, the outer boundaries of a two-dimensional form. It also conveys the nature of an object (i.e.: light, heavy, big, small, etc.) and how it interacts with its surroundings. Form appears three-dimensional and encloses volumes such as a cube, sphere, pyramid or cylinder. (This term may also refer to the characteristics of an artwork’s visual elements -- lines, color, textures, etc. -- as distinguished from its subject matter.)  

Use these links to explore how line has been used by different artists in history. Download, print and paste one image into your sketchbook and copy just the main lines of the composition. Write a paragraph explaining how the line creates shape or form. List any similarities you see with the other images. Bus Stop, Andrew Stevovich Death of Socrates, Jacques Louis David Madonna and Child with Saints, Duccio di Buoninsegna

Color is the response of vision to wavelengths of reflected light Color is the response of vision to wavelengths of reflected light. It has three properties, hue, value, and intensity. It is the most subjective of all the elements. Value is the degree of lightness or darkness within an artwork. Because distant objects appear lighter in nature, value can create the illusion of depth. Space indicates the area between, around or within shapes and forms. (The areas containing the subject or the objects depicted are called positive space, as opposed to the background in an artwork which is known as negative space.) Texture is an artwork’s actual or implied surface quality: rough or smooth, hard or soft. It conveys the impression of three-dimensional realism by suggesting the feel and depth of an object.  

Woman with Green Stripe, Henri Matisse Portrait of Young Man, Titian Use these links to explore how color has been used in different ways through art history. Download, print and paste one into your sketchbook and write a paragraph about the differences in how the artists used color (expressive, symbolic or naturalistic?). What can you tell about the use of value in your image? How did the artist use light and dark? Write about the artist’s use of space also. Can you identify the positive and negative space? Is it deep space or is it shallow? How does that effect the image? Finally, what can you write about the use of texture? Does the artist rely on actual or implied texture? How do you think this affects the impact of the image on the viewer? .

Contrast is extreme differences between elements such as colors, values, textures, and shapes. Contrast creates visual excitement and adds interest. Movement refers to the arrangement of parts in an artwork to create a sense of motion or to direct the viewer’s eye through the work. Rhythm is the repetition of visual movement. Pattern is the repetition of elements or combinations of elements in a recognizable organization. Pattern often occurs in nature, and artists use similar repeated motifs to create pattern in their work. Pattern increases visual excitement by enriching surface interest.

Explain the use of contrast in your image. Use these links to explore the work of three very different artists. Download, print and paste one into your sketchbook. Explain the use of contrast in your image. Describe what the artist has done to create movement. How did the artist create rhythm? Which of these three images uses pattern? Finally, what is he difference between rhythm and pattern? Starry Night, Vincent Van Gogh Jazmine, Edward Vuillard Nude Descending a Staircase, Marcel Duchamp

Emphasis is used by artists to create dominance and focus in their work. Artists can emphasize color, value, shapes, or other art elements to achieve dominance. Various kinds of contrast can be used to emphasize a center of interest. Balance refers to the arrangement of visual elements to create an equal distribution of visual weight. There are three kinds of balance: symmetrical, asymmetrical and radial (circular). Unity is related to the sense of wholeness resulting from the successful combination of the component elements of an artwork.    

Other Relevant Terms  

Design is the organization of line, shape, space, texture, color, and value of an artwork to achieve a unified composition; the overall conception of an artwork.  

Composition is the act of arrangement of elements in an artwork (such as lines, shapes, and colors) to create a harmoniously unified whole.  

Aesthetics is the theory of perceiving and enjoying something for its own beauty. This theory tries to explain and categorize our response to art forms. Preferences of color, form, content and scale add up to a person’s aesthetic.  

Cropping is masking areas of a picture to create a more dynamic, interesting composition. http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/tl/20th/fauvism.html