Back to the Basics Elements of Art Principles of Design October 2013

Elements of Art The Building Blocks Line Shape Color Value Form Texture Space

Elements of Art The Building Blocks Line Color Shape Form Space Texture Value

Line Line is the path of a point moving through space. How Can Lines be Described?

Line Line is the path of a point moving through space. How Can Lines be Described? Thick Thin Straight Dotted Diagonal Rough Horizontal Zig-zag

The Obvious Actual Lines Dionysius, 1944, Barnett Newman 67x49in Yellow Painting, 1949 Barnett Newman Untitled (The Cry), Barnett Newman 36x24in., ink on paper

Lines can be implied... Not actually drawn, but guide one’s eye around the artwork – can be found in …  Line of sight,  Posture of people or animals  By areas of shadow and light  In folds of fabric, curtains or clothing  In streams of light and  In the organization of items in artwork….

Lines can be implied... The Flower Carrier, 1935, Diego Rivera, 48x48 in. Where are the Implied Lines?

Lines can be implied... Note: lines implied by directional gazes The Flower Carrier, 1935, Diego Rivera, 48x48 in.

Lines can be implied... Still Life (The Blue Vase), 1920 Giorgio Morandi Oil on canvas Where are the Implied Lines?

Lines can be implied... Still Life (The Blue Vase), 1920 Giorgio Morandi Oil on canvas Where are the Implied Lines?

A VENETIAN WOMAN,1882 John Singer Sargent oil on canvas 93 3/4 x 52 1/2 in Which are the actual lines? Where are the implied lines?

A VENETIAN WOMAN,1882 John Singer Sargent oil on canvas 93 3/4 x 52 1/2 in Lines used to create emphasis

Lines can curve... The Great Wave Off Kanagawa, Katsushika Hokusai Color woodcut, 10 x 15 in.

Johann Koerbecke The Ascension, 1456/1457 tempera on panel (36 1/2 x 25 1/2 in.) What kinds of lines can you find?

Curved, smooth Jagged Jagged, zig-zag straight Johann Koerbecke The Ascension, 1456/1457 tempera on panel (36 1/2 x 25 1/2 in.)

Le déjeuner des canotiers, 1880–1881 Pierre-Auguste Renoir Oil on canvas, × cm

Shape Shape has length and width, but is flat. It is perceived as two-dimensional. (Form has depth, length, and width. It is perceived as three-dimensional.) There are two TYPES of shapes: Geometric shapes -- circles, rectangles, squares, triangles and so on -- have the clear edges one achieves when using tools in order to create them. Organic shapes have natural, less well-defined edges (think: leaves, seashells, flowers, an amoeba, or a cloud – things found in nature). Also known as “free form”. These are ShapesThese are Forms

Shape Shape has length and width, but is flat. It is perceived as two-dimensional. (Form has depth, length, and width. It is perceived as three-dimensional.) There are two PARTS of a shapes: Positive shapes – the solid parts. The objects in a painting Negative shapes – the space in between the objects/people in the painting. Which is which 

Shape Shape has length and width, but is flat. It is perceived as two-dimensional. (Form has depth, length, and width. It is perceived as three-dimensional.) Confusion sometimes arises from the terms “shape” and “form.” A “shape” is an area which stands out because of a defined boundary (a line) or change in color, value or texture. A shape implies a flat, two-dimensional surface. Here we see come circular shapes combined with curving and diagonal lines. By applying charcoal in varying degrees of value (chiaroscuro), an artist can create the illusion o a three-dimensional form (the baseball) where none actually exists (a two-dimensional canvas).

Shapes are simple. Shapes are flat. Shapes are easy to recognize. The Parakeet and the Mermaid Henri Matisse

Doves by Pablo Picasso Child with a Dove (1901) Pablo Picasso The Dove of Peace (1949) Pablo Picasso

Balancement Wassily Kandinsky The Singing Fish Joan Miro

Cubism – The Art of Shapes Cubist 9 Thomas Fedro The Guitar Juan Gris Woman with Mandolin Pablo Picasso Three Musicians Pablo Picasso

Having fun with Shapes Geometric Mouse Scale A, 1969/1971 Claes Oldenberg Metamorphosis II M. C. Escher woodcut 7.6 in × in