7

Special Program in the Arts

Quarter 1: Visual Arts
Module 1: Elements and Principles
of Art and Design

©JAM2020
 MALABON NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
SPECIAL PROGRAM IN THE ARTS

Lesson
Elements and principles of
Arts and design
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Expectations
In this lesson, we are going learn and appreciate the basic foundation of any artwork in the context of
Philippines arts and craft.

Pretest:
Back when you were in elementary school, you have learned the basic elements and principles used to
create an artwork. Elements such as color and shape, principles such balance and pattern.
Activity: Look Out!

Harana 2

1. The picture above is an artwork created by Nell

Campos a Filipino artist.
2. List down the elements and principle you can see.
3. Write your answer in a separate sheet of paper.

Lesson
Knowing basics of elements of art can help any artist to create a well-balanced and beautiful work of art.
In order to understand and appreciate art, you must understand its language so, if Art is a language, what is its
grammar or structure? We’ll find the answer in the Elements and Principles of Design

The Elements of Art are the key components of a work of art. It is the artist’s decision in how
they want to put them to use. Each element is very important to a piece of art, but some are stressed more than
others. When looking at a work of art, which elements do you notice? What kind of mood does it create? The
Elements of Art The Elements of Design are: Line, Shape, Form, Space, Value, Texture and Color These are
considered to be the “grammar” of art As you study visual art, and the world around you, you will notice that
these Elements and principles never appear by themselves.

Activity: Let’s practice!

What elements do you see used in this geranium?
1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

VISUAL ARTS
©JAM2020
 MALABON NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
SPECIAL PROGRAM IN THE ARTS

Now we will be learning the meanings for our new “grammar”

ELEMENTS
1. Line- A mark on a surface that describes a shape or outline It can create texture and can be thick and thin
Types of line can include actual, implied, vertical, horizontal, diagonal and contour lines They also help
communicate an idea or feeling.
2. Shape- Shape is a 2-dimensional object (it is flat) It has height and width but no depth Shapes can be
either geometric or organic Geometric shapes ---circles, squares and rectangles---are regular and precise.
They can be measured Organic shapes are irregular---seashells, leaves, flowers, etc.
3. Shape - A form is 3-Dimensional It has height, width AND depth As with shapes, forms can be regular
and precise or irregular and organic 3-D art, such as sculptures, architecture and crafts, is composed of
forms In 2-D art, artists can only create the illusion of form Ex. A triangle can be drawn to look like a
pyramid. Form may be created by the forming of two or more shapes It may be enhanced by tone, texture
and color Form is considered three-dimensional showing height, width and depth Examples of this are
sculpture, theater play, figurines
4. Value - Value refers to the lightness and darkness of a color Value is commonly known as “shading” of
an object Very important in drawings and paintings Sometimes referred to by the Italian word
“chiaroscuro” (literally “light/dark”), Value is often described visually by a scale with varying shades of
gray arranged between black and white.
5. Texture- Texture is the tactile, quality of a surface Rough, smooth, sticky, fuzzy, soft or slick Refers
which refers to the way the paint feels on the surface of the canvas Artists can create texture by using of
a paint brush, palette knife, or any type of tool or medium they would like. Texture is related to value, in
that it’s created by modifying the light on a surface Texture is a powerful art element because it can
quickly evoke memories and emotions Start becoming more aware of textures all around you— the
carpet, in the clothes you’re wearing, and the fur on your cat
6. Color - The effect of color can have a strong impact on your feelings. Do you remember the last rainy
day, when it was dark and dreary outside? How did your mood change when sun came back out and
lightened everything up? In art, dark, dreary colors often depict sadness, while cheerful yellows and
orange are used for happiness. Color is a property of light. When we say an object is red, we mean that
its surface absorbs certain wavelengths of light that we call red, we identify the object as red in color. If
all wavelengths of light are absorbed, we identify the color as black, if all wavelengths of color are
reflected, we see white. Color has 3 characteristics: hue, value and intensity. Hue is actually the color we
see—such as red. Value refers to the lightness and darkness of a hue. For example, maroon is a dark
value (shade) of red and pink is a light value (tint) of red.

7. Space- In a 2-D work of art, space is limited to the

picture plane. By using color and/or value you can
make objects appear to advance (come forward) or
recede (go back) into space to create an illusion of
depth. Objects with clear surface detail appear nearer
to the viewer than fuzzy or plain objects. Also, an
illusion of space can be accomplished when objects
overlap or are placed higher on the picture plane.

VISUAL ARTS
©JAM2020
 MALABON NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
SPECIAL PROGRAM IN THE ARTS

PRINCIPLES- Unity, Variety, Balance, Emphasis, Pattern, Proportion, Movement and Rhythm. These are like
the “rules of grammar”; they form the guidelines that artists follow when they combine the various elements of
design.
1. Rhythm is a pattern of movement caused by colors, shapes, values, lines, etc. that occur in organized
repetition.
In a work of art, movement may be the course that a viewer’s eye takes as it moves across the
surface. Moving from color to color, shape to shape or value to value, the eye traces a path
around the picture.
2. To understand Balance, think of the balance beam. When objects are of equal weight, they are in
balance. If you have several small items on one side, they can be balanced by a large object on the other
side. Visual balance works in much the same way. It can be affected not only by the size of objects, but
also their value (ie. lightness or darkness, termed visual weight).
3. Unity is a sense of cohesiveness, a feeling that all the parts of something belong or work together. This is
an important principle because a unified work looks complete and orderly. There are many ways to
create unity in a work of art; a dominant theme or idea, a texture or repeated color, line, shape, etc.
Variety generally accompanies unity in a work of art; it adds visual interest by giving the eye
different things to focus on. Artists create variety by including shapes, textures, lines, etc in
many sizes and/or contrasting colors.
4. Harmony is a principle of design, it refers to a way of combining the art elements to accent their
similarities and bind the picture parts into a whole. It is often achieved through the use of repetition and
simplicity. Brings together a composition with similar units If your composition was using wavy lines
and organic shapes you would stay with those types of lines and not put in just one geometric shape
5. Pattern means the repetition of an element (or elements) in a work.
6. Emphasis is the stressing of a particular area of focus rather than the presentation of a maze of details of
equal importance.
7. Proportion in art is the comparative harmonious relationship between two or more elements in a
composition with respect to size, color, quantity, degree, setting, etc.;

Activities
1. On a drawing paper, create an artwork that showcases the Philippine culture using the elements
and principles you’ve learned.
2. List down the elements and principles you’ve used and
3. Explain how the elements and principles of art were used in your design.

1
Wrap-Up
Complete the Sentence. Write your answer in a separate sheet of paper.

Today I have learned that

.
There are

VISUAL ARTS
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