Lesson 6: Elements and Principles of Art

Let’s Talk about It

In the chapter on subject and content, it was mentioned that arts have a specialized language. And
to be able to understand this language, the familiarity with some of the elements and principles that make
it legible is required. Think of it as the letters – the stringing of letters to formulate words, and perhaps
even the different pronunciations and enunciations that assist comprehension.
The next chapter endeavours to take art and it into its smaller parts. Like a scientist who takes a
splice or a sample and places it under a microscope, the next lesson will allow for a better view, not of the
financial picture, rather, the parts that complete it.

What Do I Think?

What’s on your mind about this

painting?

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Figure 6.1

a. ELEMENTS of ARTS
The elements of painting are the basic components or building blocks of a painting (and art
generally). In Western art they are generally considered to be:

1. Color
- Is the most basic element of a painting. Every color has three aspects to it: hue or name, value or
tone, and intensity.
 Hue – Pure Color (Red, Blue…..).
 Value – Amount of Black or White in color.
 Intensity – Degree of Purity of color.
2. Tone/Value
- Refers to the degree of lightness or darkness of an area.
- Tone varies from the bright white of a light source through shades of gray to the deepest black
shadows.
3. Line (a narrow mark made by a brush, or a line created where two things meet)
- Is used to control our eye, create unity and balance. Help construct meanings.
- Line can be described as a moving dot. Line is perhaps the most basic element of drawing.
4.Shape

- An element of art that is a two-dimensional area that is defined in some way. A shape may have
an outline around it or you may recognize it by its area.
  Geometric shapes - precise shapes that can be described using mathematical formulas.
Ex. Circle, square, triangle, oval, rectangle, parallelogram, trapezoid, pentagon,
pentagram, hexagon, and octagon.
 Freeform Shapes - also called organic shapes, are irregular and uneven shapes. Their
outlines may be curved, angular, or a combination of both
 Form - an element of art, means objects that have three dimensions. I like to think of
form as a 3-D shape
5.Space / Volume
- Is the area around, above, and within an object. With consideration to drawings and paintings,
our goal is to create the illusion of space.
- Six (6) ways an artist can create the illusion of space on a 2-Dimensional surface:
 Overlapping - occurs when objects that are closer to
the viewer prevent the view of objects that are behind
them.

 Placement on the paper - Objects placed higher

within the picture plane will appear further away.

 Detail - Objects that are further away should have

less detail than objects that are closer to the viewer.

 Color and Value - Objects that are further

away are lighter in value, while objects that
are closer are typically darker in value.

 Perspective - Linear perspective is a drawing

method that uses lines to create the illusion of space
on a flat surface.

6.Texture /Pattern
- Implied – suggested roughness or smoothness of objects in the composition.
- Real – what it would feel like if you touch it.
Principles of Design Design:
The composition of an artwork. Intentionally arranging the elements of art (listed above) using
the principles of organization to create a unified artwork
1. Balance: Parts of a composition can be described as having weight or dominance. The
arrangement of these elements to create a sense of visual stability or tension is called balance.
This is sometimes also referred to as symmetry.
 Balance can be symmetrical (or formal), asymmetrical (informal), or radial (around a
central point, like a flower)
2. Emphasis/Dominance: The importance given to certain objects in an artwork. Where your eye
goes first. The center of attention.
 The “center of attention is also called the focal point. A painting can have a main focal
point with secondary focal points.
 Contrast creates emphasis and determines the focal point. This can be contrast in color,
value, texture, shape, space or line.
3. Proportion: The relationship of the parts of an artwork to the whole, or of one part to another.
Related to size or scale. (Can also refer to quantity or degree.)
an artwork or imply a sense of motion. (Some sculpture, video etc. may have actual motion.)

4. Rhythm is a special kind of movement created by repeated components in an artwork. It refers

to the visual tempo or beat as the viewer’s eyes jump rapidly or glide smoothly from one
related element to the next.
5. Repetition/Pattern: An element that is repeated in a planned way to create rhythm or unity.
6. Variety: Using the art elements to create differences in an artwork that add visual interest.
7. Harmony: The accentuating of similarities within an artwork to create unity. The opposite of
variety. Components that share common traits.
8. Unity: A successful combination of art elements that creates a sense of wholeness and visual
completion in an artwork. How the artwork functions as a whole, unified peice.

References:

Bernardo Narciso Caslib,Jr. et al Arts Appreciatin, 2018, pp. 78-104

For more information visit the link below:

https://www.slideshare.net/mobile/kpikuet/elements-and-principles-of-art-presentation