Elements of Visual Art

 The elements of art are the individual parts that make up the whole
of an artwork. The elements are the visual properties or qualities of
the artwork. Not all the elements of art need be used in a work of
art, but most of all works have at least some small aspects of each
element
Color

 Have you ever noticed that it is harder to see colors when the light is dim? Color
relies on light. In fact, color is what the eyes see when light is reflected off an
object. Color refers not only to the hue but also to the value, which means the
amount of white or black in the hue, intensity or brightness.
 Colors are classified in several ways. Based on how they are produced, colors
are classified into primary, secondary, and intermediate. According to their
position in the color wheel, they are adjacent or complementary. Based on their
effect on the visual sense, they are either cool or warm. According to value, they
are either light or dark. Based on intensity, they are either bright or dark.
Color Harmonies

 Colors are classified in several ways.

Based on how they are produced, colors
are classified into primary, secondary,
and intermediate. According to their
position in the color wheel, they are
adjacent or complementary. Based on
their effect on the visual sense, they are
either cool or warm. According to value,
they are either light or dark. Based on
intensity, they are either bright or dark.
Complementary

The high contrast of

complementary colors
creates a vibrant look
especially when used at full
saturation. This color scheme
must be managed well so it is
not jarring.
Complementary colors are
tricky to use in large doses,
but work well when you want
something to stand out.
Analogous

They usually match well and

create serene and comfortable
designs.
Analogous color schemes are
often found in nature and are
harmonious and pleasing to the
eye.
Make sure you have enough
contrast when choosing an
analogous color scheme.
Choose one color to dominate, a
second to support. The third color
is used (along with black, white or
gray) as an accent.
Triad

Triadic color harmonies tend

to be quite vibrant, even if
you use pale or unsaturated
versions of your hues.
To use a triadic harmony
successfully, the colors should
be carefully balanced - let
one color dominate and use
the two others for accent.
Split complimentary

In addition to the base

color, it uses the two colors
adjacent to its
complement.
This color scheme has the
same strong visual contrast
as the complementary
color scheme, but has less
tension.
Tetradic (rectangle)

This rich color scheme

offers plenty of possibilities
for variation.
The tetradic color scheme
works best if you let one
color be dominant.
You should also pay
attention to the balance
between warm and cool
colors in your design.
Square

The square color scheme is

similar to the rectangle, but
with all four colors spaced
evenly around the color circle.
The square color scheme
works best if you let one color
be dominant.
You should also pay attention
to the balance between
warm and cool colors in your
design.
Line

 A line is a series of connected dots. It is an important element of visual arts

because all painters, sculptors, and architects use lines as springboard of their
finished products. All works classified under the graphic arts and plastic arts start
with lines. Lines are classified according to position, direction, and shape; they
carry meaning by themselves.
Vertical lines

It is associated with the body

in upright standing position
and generally express poise,
alertness, equilibrium, firmness,
strength, at the same time
that it connotes a static
position though not without
tension. On the moral plane, it
is translated into qualities of
uprightness, integrity, dignity,
and formality, as well as the
impersonality of law,
intellectual order and
discipline.
Horizontal line

This indicates rest, repose,

calmness, quietness and
inaction. A dead or reclining
man, a serene sea, a resting
animal and a cemetery are
presented with horizontal lines.
Diagonal line

It is associated with the body

forward and charging
purposefully towards an
objective. It signifies energy,
dynamism, impulse, will power,
aspiration and passion as well
as emotion.
Weak diagonals, as those,
which form angles less than 45
degrees with the base,
convey uncertainty, instability
and a sense of impending
collapse.
Curved line

It shows action, life and

energy. It suggests grace and
beauty and is associated with
the body in movements that
create a rhythm of curved
lines in space. Curved lines
are allied to feelings, impulse,
play, charm, romantic
yearning, and sentimental
pleading.
Zigzag line

It is made from combined

diagonal lines, can create
a feeling of confusion or
suggest action.
Shape

 It is the element of the visual arts which contributes to the final form
of the artwork. Circles and polygons (triangles, rectangles, squares,
pentagons, hexagons, heptagons, etc.) are put together to make
up the whole object.
Geometric shape

Look as though they were

made with a ruler or
drawing tool. The square,
the circle, the triangle, the
rectangle and the oval are
the five geometric shapes.
Organic shape

Also called free form.

Organic shapes are not
regular or even. Their
outlines may be curved or
angular, or they may be a
combination of both, to
make free-form shapes.
 Perspective

 Perspective is synonymous with

point of view, angle of vision, or
frame of reference. It is the
point where the artist stands to
view his subject as he creates
his artwork. He may show the
front view, side view, or top
view of the subject for his
painting or sculpture.
Form

 It refers to the overall composition of

the artwork. It describes the entire
shape or organization of the thing or
object created. For example, a
pyramid is presented as one triangle
if the front view is used as perspective,
whereas two triangles are shown if
the left or the right side view is used
as perspective.
Space

 Space is an element of art that refers

to the distance between, around,
above, below, and within things. In
both two and three-dimensional
works of art, the shapes or forms are
called positive area. The empty
spaces between the shapes are
called negative area.
Texture

 Texture is an element of art that

refers to the way things felt or
perceived (whether smooth or
rough), as to how they might
feel if touched. (implied and
actual)
Principles of Art
Harmony

 Also called unity, harmony is

achieved when all the elements of a
thing are put together to come up
with a coherent whole. Every part of
a work of art is necessary to the
composition to the extent that all the
parts exhibit a sense of belonging
together and a pleasing relationship
with one another.
Balance

 Known as physical equilibrium, balance is stability produced by

even distribution of weight on each side of the thing. It is classified
into formal and informal.
Formal balance

 It is also called symmetrical balance

because the thing displays symmetry
(same measure). Bilateral symmetry is
present when the left and the right sides
appear the same; the right side mirrors
the left side of the human body.
Informal balance

 It is present when the left and the

right sides of the thing, though not
identical in appearance, still display
an even distribution of weight. It is
also called asymmetrical or occult
balance.
Rhythm

 It is the repetitive pattern of a

succession of similar or
identical items
Proportion

 It is the comparative
relationship of the different
parts in relation to the whole.
Emphasis

 It is giving proper importance to one

or more parts of the thing or the
whole thing itself. It is achieved by
means of size or proportion, shape,
color, line, position and variety
Variety

 Variety is a principle of art

concerned with combining
one or more elements to
create interest by adding slight
changes
Movement

 Artists use the principle of movement to lead the viewer’s eyes throughout the
work. Movement is the principle of art used to create the look and feeling of
action and to guide a viewer’s eye throughout the work of art.