All the images we see are formed by the basic elements of expression used in Art:  the point,  the line,  the plane,  the texture,  the colour.

 These elements, alone or together, have their own language and specific norms which permit the author to transmit their own ideas, sensations or feelings.  It’s important to study these characteristics and rules to use them efficiently to create Art.

 The point is the simplest and the smallest element of expression in Art.

 The point is normally considered round but it can be also represented by different forms according to its function; for example grammatical points (called dots) in texts are squared and very small not to distract attention. However, a graphic point can have a surface and an irregular form.

 A point is a form which occupies very little space on a surface. If it is much bigger than other forms around it, it is considered a plane.

The point has a limited capacity to represent images and express ideas and emotions. Because of that other visual effects are used, for example:  concentration when the points are grouped; or  dispersion when the points are distant.

 Varying the sizes, forms and colours of the points it is possible to create a visual sensation of spatial depth and volume.

 If we move our pencil from a point in any direction we will produce a line. For this reason the line is defined as a point in movement.

 The line has got a position and direction in space and its most important function is delimiting the outline of forms.  The expressive capacity of a line is appropriate to describe any form with precision and to transmit ideas and emotions.

 Form, thickness, colour and texture of a line depend on the materials and the way they are used.  These structural characteristics have different functions and permit the author to create different visual sensations, like depth, equilibrium, strength, smoothness, etc.

According to their structure lines can be classified into:  simple lines – they are made up of only one stroke, straight or curved. They are perceived directly by only one look.

 compound lines – they are made up of fragments of two or more straight or curved lines. To visualise them well we have to move our sight in different directions. They can be: - crooked - made up of fragments of straight lines,

- wavy – made up of fragments of curved lines, - mixed – made up of fragments of straight and curved lines.

 Lines can be drawn in different directions: vertical, horizontal and inclined or slanted. They all have a different expressive value.

 Vertical lines – vertical direction shows an upward or downward movement. It produces a visual sensation of growth, elevation and equilibrium.

 Horizontal lines – horizontal direction produces a visual sensation of stability, calmness and peace, but an excessive use of these lines can be monotonous.

 Oblique or inclined lines (slanted) – inclined direction transmits the biggest grade of instability and movement. These two aspects give inclined lines a visual sensation of dynamism.

 A plane is a surface of two dimensions, height and width, and it has got a position and direction in space. Theoretically the plane is infinite, but to be able to visually describe it we limit it using plane forms.

 There are different ways to describe the limits of a plane: - using an outline - using different textures - using different colours

There are two types of plane forms:  geometrical plane forms – they obey mathematical rules; because of that they have a great capacity to produce the visual sensation of order and stability; there are three basic geometrical plane forms: a circle, a square and an equilateral triangle.

 organic plane forms – they obey natural rules and they can adopt infinite appearances; they produce a visual sensation of more dynamism than the geometrical forms.

 One of the main functions of a plane is to create volume by joining various flat forms in different directions.

 Volume has three dimensions: height, width and depth, and it can be represented on a plane surface (of two dimensions) using adequately the elements of Art and different graphic resources.

 A plane is a fundamental element in Art – we need it to create and to use points, lines, colours and textures. Because of that it has a great power of expression.

 The plane is perfect to transmit visual sensations like volume, depth, chiaroscuro, etc. Because of that the plane is necessary to elaborate artistic works using any of the elements of expression.

 A texture is a quality of surfaces. A surface of each object has a material structure and it produces different visual and tactile sensations.

 We can distinguish among many textures: - smooth, - even, - rough, - granulated, - wrinkled. SMOOTH EVEN ROUGH GRANULATED WRINKLED

 For example: - the surface of silk is smooth and even, - the surface of a tree bark is rough and wrinkled, - the surface of granite is granulated.

 Artists use textures as an artistic element to obtain greater expressivity in their works.

Depending on their origin we can classify textures into:  natural – they can be found in nature,  artificial – they are made by humans in a manual or mechanical way.

 We can perceive these textures by the sense of touch. In Art, painting or sculpture, the effects of tactile textures are produced by combining different materials or elaborating on surfaces with a desired relief.

 We can perceive them only by the sense of sight. They are also called graphic textures when it is a photo or a graphic representation made on paper or other material.

 A texture of some surfaces can be reproduced through the rubbing technique. To do it we put paper on a surface’s relief and use a soft graphite pencil or a crayon to pass through it. We have to press regularly until we get the desired reproduction.