1. Elements of painting, printmaking, photography, graphics art
Or how we talk about images
on a flat surface

2. What is it? A two-dimensional object
Rejects representation
Does not try to represent the “real”
Iconic – symbol of the real
Techniques to unveil the process
Accepts representation
Tries to imitate the “real”
Tries to be three-dimensional
Techniques to fool the eye

3. How is it done? How the elements are used
And put together describe the composition of the piece

4. Elements of painting/design
1. Line
2. Form
3. Color
4. Space
5. Texture

5. Use of basic elements in composition
1. Repetition
2. Balance
3. Unity
4. Focal area
5. Perspective
6. Chiaroscuro
7. Dynamics

6. The composition of a piece helps us construct meaning in and for the artwork.

7. Line Real line – actual line on the surface
Implied line – suggested line through color, shape, boundaries of objects
Painterly line – more implied than real
Linear – more actual line than implied
Line is used to control our eye, create unity and balance, help construct meaning

8. Form Shape of object (as a result of the use of line)
Shape of parts of composition
Triangle, square, circle, and so on

9. Color Hue – pure color (red, blue,….)
Value – amount of black or white in color
Intensity – degree of purity of color

10. Space
Illusion of three dimensions

11. Texture
Implied – suggested roughness or smoothness of objects in the composition
Real – what it would feel like if you touched it

12. How those elements are used to create the image….

13. Repetition The repetition of line, color, shapes
Repeat the element in a consistent pattern
Repeat the element in a variation of the pattern
Juxtapose elements in a pattern

14. Balance Symmetrical Asymmetrical
Bilateral if divided the same on both sides
Asymmetrical
Placement of unlike terms

15. Unity Completeness within the frame (closed composition)
Incomplete; viewer’s attention drawn outside the composition (open composition)
Use of color, line, shape to pull the objects together

16. Focal Area
Where one’s attention is drawn
Can have more than one focal area

17. Perspective
Making a two-dimensional object into the illusion of three-dimensional
Linear (1-point) perspective
Converging line to achieve the sense of distance
Aerial perspective
Color, detail, size to create sense of distance

18. Contrasts of light and dark
Chiaroscuro
Contrasts of light and dark

19. How lively or stable/stolid does the picture seem?
Dynamics
How lively or stable/stolid does the picture seem?

20. Continuum From real (representation) to nonobjective (iconic)
Subject matter
Continuum
From real (representation) to nonobjective (iconic)

21. Our knowledge of the history of the use of elements also contributes to the meaning of the object.