The Elements and Principles of Art

The Elements of Art- components that make up an artwork. They are Line Line Shape Shape Form Form Value Value Texture Texture Color Color Space Space

Line can be considered in two ways. The linear marks made with a variety of mediums or the edge created when two shapes meet. Line can be considered in two ways. The linear marks made with a variety of mediums or the edge created when two shapes meet. Elizabeth Catleet, Sharecropper Gerorges Braque, Violin and Candlestick, Paris, 1910

Shape -A shape is a self contained two-dimensional area that is defined. Shapes are either geometric or organic. A positive shape in a painting automatically creates a negative shape. Henri Matisse, L’escargot,1953

Joan Miro, Harlequin’s Carnival, 1925

Form - Objects having three dimensions. Forms are either geometric or organic. David Smith, Cubi IX, 1964 Georgia O'Keefe, Jack-in-the –pulpit No. 5

Value- the darkness and lightness of a color. Rembrandt, The Night Watch, 1642

Man Ray, Tears

Texture- how things feel or look as if they might feel if they were touched. Texture is perceived by touch and sight. Georges Seurat, A Sunday in la Grande Jatte, 1884

Jean Arp

Color- Derived from reflected light Henri Matisse, The Joy of Life

Marques Vickers

Space- The emptiness or area between, around, above, below, or within objects. Positive space is the object and negative space is around the object Keith Haring

The Principles of Art- How artists organize the elements of art. Balance Balance Variety Variety Rhythm Rhythm Emphasis Emphasis Unity Unity Proportion Proportion

Balance- equalizing visual forces, or elements, in a work of art. If a work has visual balance, the viewer feels that the elements have been arranged in a satisfying way. Symmetrical (formal balance)- to halves of a balanced composition are identical, mirror images of each other. Symmetrical (formal balance)- to halves of a balanced composition are identical, mirror images of each other. Asymmetrical (informal balance)- unlike objects have equal visual weight or eye attraction. Asymmetrical (informal balance)- unlike objects have equal visual weight or eye attraction. Radial Balance-Type of balance which forces or elements of design come out (radiate) from a central point. Radial Balance-Type of balance which forces or elements of design come out (radiate) from a central point.

Symmetrical Balance Diego Rivera, Flower Day, 1925 Egyptian Antique

Asymmetrical Balance Frida Kahlo, Frida and Diego Rivera, 1931 Bernini, David, 1623

Radial Balance MC Escher

Variety -a principle of art that is concerned with contrast or difference. Robert Rauschenberg, Trophy II, 1960 Edward Weston, Pepper no. 30, 1930

Frank Stella

Rhythm- indicates movement by the repetition of elements. Visual rhythm is perceived through the eyes and is created by repeating positive spaces separated by negative spaces. There are five types of rhythm: random, regular, alternating, flowing, and progressive. There are five types of rhythm: random, regular, alternating, flowing, and progressive. Regular- identical motifs & equal space Flowing-created by repeating wavy lines.

Progressive-a change in the motif each time the motif is repeated.

Alternating-changing spaces or position of the motif Random- same motif but in no apparent order

Emphasis- principle of design that makes one part of a work dominant over the other parts. The element that is noticed first is called the dominant the elements notices later are called subordinate. Roy Lichtenstein

Seymour Lipton

Unity- The quality of wholeness or oneness that achieved through the effective use of the elements and principles of art. Unity is created by simplicity, repetition, proximity, and continuation. Degas

Louise Nevelson, Sky Cathedral, 1958

Proportion- Principle of art concerned with size relationships of one part to another. Albrecht Durer, Virgin and Child with Saint Anne, 1519

Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen, Spoonbridge and Cherry,