CHAPTER 5

LANGUAGE OF ART: ELEMENTS AND THE PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN

I. Intended Learning Outcomes

In this Chapter, you will be able to:

1. compare and contrast the use of the different elements of art in art pieces;
2. identify the different kinds/variations of application among the elements of art;
3. demonstrate how the elements of art are employed to change the values and
appreciation of art;
4. analyze the expressive characteristics and interpretations of the different
applications of the elements in works of art;
5. compare the applications of art principles to organize the elements of artwork;
6. utilize principles of artwork in the creation and understanding of art; and
7. provide visual solutions to organizing cohesive art pieces.

II. Learning Contents

A. Elements of Art

1. Line Element

The perception of lines is some of the things we do every day. You see lines along
the roadside, in the corner of your rooms, in the guidelines of your notebook sheets, etc.
lines are even utilitarian that you use them when you write, when you navigate through
directions, slice your favorite meat or vegetables, etc. but most importantly, lines are
essential elements to art. Lines create art and they provide the impression of path and
movement along a space.

Nature of Line
Lines create the impression of movement. As such, when you see artworks in lines,
your eyes make a movement in following its direction or path. So, when given a visual
image, lines lead your eyes into several directions that allow you to navigate the general
space.
Lines can also be differentiated based on length and width. Lines can be slim or
thick depending on your approach. Essentially, lines provide a one-dimensional theme to
the piece of artwork. Dimension, in this regard, is the amount of space the line takes up
in a particular art. To make lines two-dimensional, they need to have an impression of
height and depth. Lines can also be drawn using different media like pens or pencil, using
sticks or even technological media. Even solidly perceived objects like threads, wires,
spiderwebs, tree trunks are configured to provide perceptions of lines. While all of them

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can be perceived as lines, they differ in terms of the level of dimension they give to the
viewers.
Some lines are even implied in application. When you perceive edges of objects,
there are essentially outlines but not intended to become explicit lines. So, there may be
approaches in the use of lines that intend to simulate the gestalt in the human mind by
interpreting implied lines as real. For example, when you see a series of dots or dashes,
stitches of sewn dress or a trail of footprints create impressions of implied lines.

Types of Lines

a. Vertical lines – the movement direction is upward or downward. Common

applications are upright trees or standing body of humans, buildings or
infrastructures.
b. Horizontal lines – the movement direction is from left to right or vice-versa. Common
applications are body lying down and the horizon.
c. Diagonal lines – these are slanted lines. They create an impression of rising or falling.
The Leaning Tower of Pisa conveys a diagonal or slanted line.
d. Zigzag lines – these are connected combinations of diagonal lines. They create angular
perspectives of lines. Common examples are thunders or animated drawing of stars.
e. Curved lines – these are lines that do not appear linear, hence, directions are not
clearly established. Examples of which are the outline of clouds, leaves and edges of
flowers.

Line and Value

Value is defined as the darkness or lightness of an object. Essentially, the value of
a line or the artwork in general may differ in terms of how much light the surface absorbs
and expresses light. The artwork may have a dark value with little light reflection or light
value with more light reflection. So, applying the line principles to value, lines may have
light or dark value, when pencils for example, are pressed or rubbed harder on a sheet of
paper. Artists use the technique called crosshatching to create darker themes or value.
This is a technique using crossed lines to create darker shades of a line. Different number
types of pencils can also be made to create different line values. Even using a crayon that
stroked a wall surface or sheet of paper may create broken lines or solid lines,
respectively.

Expression of Lines
You may have known in basic fashion technique that wearing longitudinal stripes
can make you look slimmer than latitudinal ones. Hence, lines have different capacities in
terms of expression an idea or an emotion. Essentially, lines speak a language that artists
can comprehend.

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a. Movement of line
Vertical and horizontal lines convey static and at rest impressions. It may
mean the lack of activity and stability. Artist may use them to show dignity,
formality, or stiffness. Horizontal lines, specifically, show the feelings of
prominence and solid foundation such as that of the ground or floor. Horizontal
lines provide foundation to vertical lines and it may provide artistic impressions of
strength. Sometimes, it portrays the feeling of calmness or relax such as the
horizontal lines created by the sea surface.

Curved lines, on the other hand, may show expression of relative activity.
This may depend on the amount of curve it makes. The less active curve may
indicate more calm or repetitive feelings. Spiral lines require you to focus on a
central point and may have the tendency to be hypnotic.

Diagonal lines are used by the artists to express the feelings of instability,
tension, or excitement. Their instability provides feelings of being uneasy or
discomfort. But their expression can be altered when done with symmetry. For
example, two diagonal lines that converge to create the roof of a house may
instead mean stability.

Zigzag lines have been used to create feelings of confusion. Due to

combinations of diagonal lines, they may evoke feelings of too much excitement
or anxiety.

b. Contour Lines
These are applications of lines to create edges or ridges of an object. These
provide a certain degree of separation from one object to another.

c. Gesture Drawing
Gestures are usually expressive movements which are intended to capture
motion, activity and the feeling found in it. In artworks that emphasize the lines of
the hand, touching the face can convey feelings of anxiety or worry. Or hands
raising that are emphasized by lines can be done to manifest feelings of
excitement and activity.

d. Calligraphic Drawing
It is often associated with writing Asian characters usually with Chinese,
Japanese, Korean, and Thai language. In their culture, writing is not just about
knowing the alphabet. For them writing is a process of creating art using lines and
different strokes to represent character languages. In the Philippines, there are
different versions of baybayin with different ethno-linguistic bases. The Philippine
calligraphy is rooted on Indian, Sulawesi and Kawi, Indo, Arabic, and Islamic writing
arts.

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2. Shape, Form, and Space

The world may be considered as an art piece. It is a piece composed of several shapes,
sizes, forms, and even depth that are naturally existing in this space. Understanding
the nature and use of shape, forms and space, an art piece may have an important
meaning to express.

Shape
A shape conveys a defined two-dimensional area. It has an outline around and it
is recognizable through its form. In a sense, by just using an outline, shapes can be
formed. But shapes can be created without a boundary line. For example, they can be
created using a blot of yellow paint to create a circle like the imagery of a sun. they
are two-dimensional as well because of the flat surface they create. You can see them
in the shapes that are defined by the floor tiles, TV screens, walls, table tops, etc.
Usually, these are man-made shapes.

Geometric Shapes
Shapes can either be geometric or free-form. Geometric shapes are accurately
measured shapes, hence, having mathematical bases. The variations are square,
rectangle, triangle, circle, oval, trapezoid, pentagon, hexagon, etc. they are used to
express feelings of uniformity and organization. In a decorative sense, they show
balance and structure in one’s perception. This may be apparent in the shapes of flat
television, long and round tables, room doors, etc.

Free-form Shapes
These are the types of shapes that are irregular in structure. They may be
characterized by some combinations of curves and angles. They are not structural and
man-made, per se. most of them are organically existing in nature such as flowers,
animals, humans, islands, trees, etc.

Forms
Forms are the three-dimensional aspects of spaces and shapes. While shapes have
length and width or diameter, a characterizing component of form is its depth.
Example, a box or a cube is a form. However, there is an inherent relationship
between shapes and forms. So, if you are presented with a box, each side of the box
is represented by a square or rectangle shape. Or when you visit the Pyramids in
Egypt, you will still be identifying shapes of triangle along its sides.

Space
Space is an essential element to understanding art as it involves the outer and
inner spaces of an artwork. This refers to a hypothetical area in which the subject of
art and other elements of art operate. Like shapes and form, the impression of space
can be two- or three-dimensional. For example, with a window as your subject of an
art piece, it can provide a sense of two-dimension as it portrays a flat representation.

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 But this can become three-dimensional when the window has been cleared and has
shown a view of the outside. This may be the mountains, the river, or the grasslands.
In this sense, the space of the art has expanded as different layers of areas are now
included.

Expressive Qualities of Shape, Form, and Space

a. Outline and Surface

Outlines and variations in the surfaces may bring different kinds of messages. For
example, using free-form shapes may express the presence of life and fluidity. These could
also symbolize calmness and comfort.
Angular shapes, on the other hand, project the sharp and jagged realities of the world.
These could mean pain, anxiety, or tension. For example, you see broken glasses in a picture,
they may translate into vicarious interpretations of pain or hurt.
Geometric shapes may even suggest aspects of mechanical perfection. It projects a
certain sense of order and logic. In effect, they may tend to lack the emotional accessibility
to it. While they express those to viewers, the perceptions can be more mental and ideal
rather than affective.

b. Outline and surface

Density refers to the compactness of the object. Dense materials tend to be solid and
heavy looking. In sculptures, for example, dense materials may be difficult to alter in terms
of form unless technology or some machines are available.

c. Openness
Open shapes project open invitation. For example, if you draw an empty chair, most
viewers may tend to vicariously imagine sitting on that chair. If you see an art piece with an
open door, it may give you a sense of wonder of what could be inside or behind the door.
Closed shapes, on the other hand, project more solid and self-contained field of perception.
Closed doors and windows tend to be more restrictive to interpretation. A person with folded
arms tight to his body portrays emotion of tension, mystery, and privacy.

d. Activity and stability

Active shapes are those that defy gravity such as slanting or falling or running shapes.
Movement in shapes can be done by portraying them on diagonal positions. Static shapes, on
the other hand, seem to be motionless and stable.