The Elements &

Principles of Arts
 Meaning

“Elements of Arts are the

components or part which can be
isolated & defined in any visual
design or work of art. They structure
and carry the work.”
 Basic Elements of Arts

Following are the seven basic elements of arts

which are common throughout the field of
designing.
1. Point / Mark
2. Line
3. Shape
4. Forms
5. Space
6. Color
7. Texture
 Point (Mark)

 A point or mark is the smallest and most basic

element . It can vary in size, value, regularity or
irregularity, and can be used alone as a unit in a group.
 Marks can be used to form a value or pattern ( placed
close together forms a darker value, further apart
forms a lighter value), or to delineate space ( larger
means closer,etc.)
 Line

A line is a form with width and length, but no

depth.
Artist use lines to create edges, the outlines of
objects. The direction of a line can convey mood.
Broadly lines can be categorized into three types
1. Horizontal
2. Vertical
3. Diagonal
Example of Horizontal Lines

Horizontal lines are calm and quiet.

Example of Vertical Lines

Vertical lines suggest more of a potential for

movement.
Example of Diagonal Lines

Diagonal lines strongly suggest movements and

give more of a feeling of vitality to a picture.
 Shape
Shape is defined as an area that stands out from the
space next to or around it due to a defined or implied
boundary, or because of differences of value, color, or
texture.
A shape is formed when a line encloses an area.
Shapes have two dimensions, length and width and
can be geometric or free-form.
Activity 2 – Pencil Abstract Drawing
Activity 3 – Colored Abstract Drawing
 Forms
 Forms describes volumes and mass, or the 3D aspects of
objects that take up space.
 Forms can and should be viewed from any angles.
For example: When you hold a baseball, or a small sculpture,
you are aware of their curves, angles, indentations, & edges i.e.
their forms.
 Space
Space is a 3D volume that can be
empty or filled with objects. It has
width, height, and depth.
Space that appears three-
dimensional in a 2D painting is an
illusion that creates a feeling of
actual depth. Example for Overlapping
Several techniques can be used to
show such visual depth or space, for
example, overlapping, linear
perspective, etc..
 Other Examples

Detail (aerial or atmospheric perspective) Linear perspective ( converging lines )

 Color

 Color has three properties. The first is hue, which is the

name of the colors.
- the primary hue are Yellow, Red, and Blue.
- secondary colors are made by mixing two primaries.
- intermediate colors are mixtures of a primary & adjacent
secondary
color.
 The second property is Value, which refers to the lightness
or darkness of hue.
 The third property is Intensity, which refers to the purity of
the hue also known as “Chroma”.
 Examples

Color Wheel Value Scale

 Elements of Art
I. Color (Hue) - gives meaning, value, intensity and saturation to
an object. It has series of wave lengths which strikes our retina.
Example of Color and its meaning
Color Meaning
Black - Death, despair, gloom, sorrow,
Blue - Infinity, Freedom, Calmness,
Brown - Humility
Green - Nature, Freshness, Prosperity, Hope, Money
Orange - Sweetness, Cheerfulness,
Pink - Feminity, love,
Red - Bravery, Energy, Passion, War, Warm
Violet - Royalty, Dull
White - Purity, Clarity, Simplicity, Virginity, Peace
Yellow - Joyful, Life, Vibrant, Sunshine, Happiness
 Texture
Texture refers to the surface quality, both
simulated and actual, of artwork.
 Meaning

“The Principles of Arts are the

artistic guidelines used to
organize or arrange the
structural elements of art.”
 Basic Principles of Arts
Following are the six basic principles of effective
design/art which are common throughout the
field of designing (i.e. from print design to
lithography, typography, & industrial design).
1.Balance Principles
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2.Contrast
3.Emphasis
4.Pattern
5.Rhythm/Movement
6.Unity
 Balance
Balance refers to the appropriate arrangement of objects in a
design/art to create the impression of equality in weight or
importance. Balance provides stability and structure to a design.
Balance may be symmetrical and asymmetrical, but the goal
should be to achieve equilibrium.
 Symmetrical Balance can be described as having equal “weight”
on equal sides of a centrally placed fulcrum. It is also known as
formal balance.
 Asymmetrical Balance is more complex and difficult top picture.
It involves placement of objects in a way that will allow objects of
varying visual weight to balance one another around a fulcrum
point. It is also known as informal balance.
 Examples

Balance is formal when both Balance is informal when

sides are sides are not
symmetrical in terms of exactly symmetrical, but the
arrangement. resulting image is still
balanced.
 Rhythm

 Rhythm or movement is regarded as a visual temp or beat. It refers

to a regular repetition of elements to produce the look and feel of a
movement.
 Rhythm can be achieved through the careful placement of repeated
components. It can be directed for example, along edges & by
means of shape and color.
 Rhythm can be categorized Random, Regular, Alternating,
Progressive, and Flowing.
 Emphasis
The term emphasis literally means to give importance.
 Emphasis in designing refers to give special attention to one
part of a work of art.
 It can be achieved through placement, contrast, colour, size,
repetition, etc.
For example: A dark shape in a light composition
 Contrast

 Contrast refers to the

combination of different
elements of design (for
example: rough & smooth
textures, dark & light values)in
order to highlight their
differences or create visual
interest , or a focal point.
 Contrast allows us to
emphasize or highlight key
elements in your design.
 Pattern

Pattern in a design simply refers to keeping your

design in a certain format.
It is often described as a regular arrangement of
alternated or repeated elements (shapes, lines,
colors) or motifs.
For example: One could plan to have curved
lines all around a design as a pattern
 Unity

Unity refers to the arrangement of elements to give

the viewer the feeling that all the parts of the design
or piece form a coherent whole i.e. designs must be
in harmony in which all sections of the pattern make
other sections feel complete.
It enables the design to be seen as one complete
piece of art or design.
 Activity #4
Make/draw/paint an example of Arts showing the elements
and principles of Arts using illustration board,poster paint or
water color. You can use realism or distortion
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