Elements and

Principles Present in
Contemporary Art
Forms
 Learning
Competency
• Evaluates contemporary art forms based on the
elements and principles
 Learning Objective
• I can assess and review a specific masterpiece of
contemporary arts based on its elements and principles and not
on personal impression through writing an art analysis
ART EVALUATION: INTRODUCTION

The task of evaluating a work of art requires a

combination of objective information and
subjective opinion
ART EVALUATION: INTRODUCTION

The whole point of art appreciation is to

explain why we like or dislike something, not
simply WHETHER we like it or not.
Steps to Critiquing an
Artwork4.
Judgment
3.
Interpretation
2. Analysis
1. Description
 Description
Think of facts.
1. What’s the title of the artwork?
 Description
Think of facts.
2. Who is the artist?
 Description
Think of facts.
3. When and where was it created?
 Description
Think of facts.
4. What media was used?
 Description
• Think of facts.
5. Is there a primary subject in the piece?
 Description
Think of facts.
6. What specific elements of arts can you find within this piece?
 Elements of Arts
• Space
• Line
• Shape and Form
• Color
• Value
• Texture
 Space
• In visual arts, it can be defined as a void, an
emptiness which can either be positive or negative
• In other art forms, it can be referred to as an interval
or pause
 Line
• Basically, it is the extension of a point or long
mark drawn or carved on a space
• Line is defined differently in other forms of
arts like in theater arts and dance
 Shape and Form
• Shape can be described as a figure separate
from its surrounding area and can either be
geometric or organic
• Form is slightly similar to shape except from
the fact that form is 3-dimensional
 Color
• It is a sensation created by visible wavelengths
of light caught in a prism
• Color creates a mood or tone
 Value
• In visual arts, value is the degree of lightness
and darkness of a color
• Like the other art elements, value is defined
differently in other forms of arts
 Texture
It is the surface of an artwork. A texture can
be actual or tactile, meaning, it can really be felt
by touch; or it can be simulated or illusory,
which means it can only be seen, not felt
 Elements of Arts
• Space
• Line
• Shape and Form
• Color
• Value
• Texture
•
ANALYSIS
Be 100% objective
• How do elements of art interact with each other?
• What specific elements stand out?
• What PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN can you find?
 Principles of Design
• Harmony
• Variety
• Rhythm
• Proportion
• Balance
• Movements
• Emphasis and Subordination
 Harmony
• This refers to the wholeness of the design, the
pleasing arrangement of parts, and the
agreement between parts of a composition,
resulting in a united whole
 Variety
• It pertains to the assortment or diversity of a
work of art
 Rhythm
• It is the regular, repeated pattern in the
elements of art. It is a flow, or feeling of
movement.
 Proportion
• Elements in an artwork or masterpiece that
have a relationship with one another
relationship is called proportion
 Balance
• This refers to the even distribution of weight
• It is the principle that deals with equality
• There are two types: the symmetrical and
asymmetrical
 Movements
• This principle of designs refers to a way in
conveying feelings and emotions
 Emphasis and
Subordination
• Emphasis is the principle that gives
importance or dominance to a until or an area
while subordination gives less importance to a
unit or area
 Principles of Design
• Harmony
• Variety
• Rhythm
• Proportion
• Balance
• Movements
• Emphasis and Subordination
 Interpretation
• It is the subjective and requires thought on
your part
• What is the artist trying to communicate?
• What thoughts or feelings come up when you
see the piece
• Express your opinion but always back it up
with evidence
 Judgment
• Combination of steps 1,2 and 3
• Do you like it? Why or why not?
• Is the artwork effective?
• What criteria do you thinks are
important that helped you in
concluding your judgment?
 Conclusion
• Understanding the steps to art
criticism and implementing them in a
structured way in critique, will lead
to stronger artworks.