Elements and Principles of Design Line Shape Form Color Value Texture Space Principles: Balance Emphasis & Focal Point Contrast Movement Variety Pattern & Repetition Unity Harmony/Gestalt
Line A line is defined as a mark with length and direction, created by a point that moves across a surface. A line can vary in length, width, direction, curvature, and color. Contour, Diagonal, Broken, Curved, Outline, Implied, Vertical, zigzag, Horizontal, Wavy, Slanted, Continuous, Solid, Narrow, Bold Jasper Johns, 0-9 (continuous line) Gesture drawing
line Jackson Pollock, Autumn Rhythm
LINE Andy Goldsworthy
Keith Haring
Matisse, from the series “Jazz” Shape Shape is an enclosed space defined by other elements of art. Shape is 2-Dimensional Shape can be: Geometric: Angular, man-made concept Organic: curvilinear - found in nature Fernana Leger, The City Matisse, from the series “Jazz”
Picasso, Three Musicians
FORM 3 Dimensional Shape. Volume
MC Escher, Self Portrait
Vincent Van Gogh, Shoes Tamara de Lempicka Portrait of Ira P. 1925
Value is an especially important element in works of art An element of art that refers to luminance or luminosity – the lightness or darkness of a color. Value is an especially important element in works of art when color is absent. This is particularly likely with drawings, printmaking, and photographs Kathe Kollwitz, Self portrait
Value Chuck Close (made w/ thumbprints!) Edward Weston, Pepper (photograph)
Texture Texture refers to the surface quality or "feel" of an object, such as roughness, smoothness, or softness. Actual texture can be felt while simulated textures are implied by the way the artist renders the surface area Oppenheim Fur-lined cup
Texture Actual and Implied Albrecht Durer Rhinocerus Golsdworthy
Color Is an element of art with three properties 1) Hue, the name of the color, e.g. red, yellow, etc. 2) Intensity or the purity and strength of the color 3) Value, or the lightness or darkness of the color Jasper Johns, Target (primary colors) Delauney
Primary Colors
Wassily Kandinsky Piet Mondrian
Warm Colors Colors that are often described as being higher in temperature Reds, oranges, yellows Associated with fire and sun Optically, appear to advance Stimulating and passionate
Ex. Warm
Cool Colors that are often described as being lower in temperature Greens, Blues, and Violet Associated with water, sky, and spring Optically, they appear to recede Calming and depressing
Ex. Cool
Picasso, the Old Guitarist Color and Mood Van Gogh, the Night Cafe Picasso, the Old Guitarist
Space Space is the empty or open area between, around, above, below, or within objects. Shapes and forms are made by the space around and within them. Space is often called three-dimensional or two- dimensional. MC Escher
Space Positive space is filled by a shape or form. Negative space surrounds a shape or form.
Space/Depth May be created by overlapping, change in scale, perspective placement, color theory, or projection toward the viewer. David Hockney Place Furstenberg, Paris, August 7,8,9, 1985 -#11985
Balance Balance is a sense of stability in the body of work. Balance can be symmetrical (formal) or assymmetrical (informal) Wayne Thiebaud, Around the Cake (formal balance)
Symmetrical/Formal Balance Diane Arbus, Twins
Symmetrical Balance Leonardo da Vinci, The Last Supper 1495-1498
Edgar Degas (informal balance) Asymmetrical Balance Edgar Degas (informal balance)
Asymmetrical Balance
Variety When elements are changed in scale, color, or form. Stuart Davis Andy Warhol
Edward Munch, the Scream Movement Movement adds excitement to your work by showing action and directing the viewers eye throughout the picture plane. Edward Munch, the Scream
Movement Umberto Boccioni, Unique forms of continuity in space Marcel Duchamp, Nude Descending Staircase
Dominance & Subordination The part of a composition that is emphasized, has the greatest visual weight, the most important, powerful, or has the most influence.
Emphasis & Focal Point Emphasis - Any forcefulness that gives importance to some feature or features of an artwork; something singled out, stressed, or drawn attention to by means of contrast, anomaly, or counterpoint Focal Point = portion of an artwork's composition on which interest or attention centers David Hockney
Emphasis & Focal Point Barbara Kruger Rene Magritte
Arts and Crafts Movement Pattern & Repetition Involves multiples of the same element. Repeated elements can vary in size, color, or axis placement. Repeated elements can create a pattern. The use of repetition may be applied to all Visual Elements. Motion can be created by repetition. William Morris Arts and Crafts Movement
Chuck Close, Self Portrait, detail Pattern & Repetition Chuck Close, Self Portrait, detail
Contrast A large difference between two things, such as light and shadow, color and black/white Andy Warhol
David, the Death of Marat Contrast David, the Death of Marat
Economy
Unity & Harmony The quality of wholeness or oneness (Gestalt) that is achieved through the effective use of the elements and principles of design. Claude Monet Haystacks
Unity Cezanne Wayne Theibaud
Van Gogh “Starry Night” Unity Van Gogh “Starry Night”
What Elements and Principles stand out?
What Elements and Principles stand out? Goya, “The 5th of May”
What Elements and Principles stand out? Gauguin
What Elements and Principles stand out?