ELEMENTS AND

PRINCIPLES OF ART
ELEMENTS OF ART
Click icon to add picture

LINE
LINE
A path made by a moving point, a series of dots, a prolongation of points
An intended mark made by the artist to convey meaning beyond it physical description
Kinds of Lines
 Straight lines are called rectilinear; geometric and impersonal and differ in the direction that they take.

Kinds Definition Emotion Implied

Horizontal Move from left to right or vice verse Calmness, serenity and rest
Vertical Start from bottom going up or vice versa Balance, strength and stability
Indicates poise and independence
Diagonal Slanting lines Indicate action or movement
Feeling of uncertainty, stress or defeat
Zigzag Angular lines resulted because of abrupt Portray tension, conflict, chaos of violence
change in direction

 Curved lines are called curvilinear; found in nature and living organisms and suggest grace, movement, and flexibility
indicative of life and energy.
EXERCISE
Identify the kind of lines present in the following art work
Click icon to add picture

COLOR
COLOR
A property of light.
A series of wavelengths which strike the retina of the eye
Any object has a color quality called pigmentation.
Gray is described as impure white and is created by the partial reflection of all
wavelengths of color.
Black, white and gray have no pigmentation.
They are called neutrals:
COLOR
2 color systems:
Lights are additive in the sense that when these colors are combined, the result will
be white.
Pigments/paints are subtractive that when combined, the result will be the
cancellation of he brightness of the other. Combination of all colors of pigments
results in black.
PROPERTIES OF COLOR
1. Hue. The name given to a color.
PROPERTIES OF COLOR
2. Value. Refers to lightness or darkness of a color.
When black is combined with a hue, a shade is produced, when white is added to it,
a tint results.
PROPERTIES OF COLOR
3. Intensity. Denotes the brightness and dullness of a color.
Hues become less intense (dull) when white is added because the color becomes
lighter in value.
When black is added, the intensity diminishes, as the value darkens.
When gray is added, the result will be a variation in intensity without any change in
value. The color becomes less bright, but neither lighter nor darker in its tone.
CREATING COLOR HARMONY
Monochromatic harmony. When a single color in the composition is varied in
intensity and value by adding white or black.
CREATING COLOR HARMONY
Complementary Harmony. When two colors that are opposite in the color wheel are
placed side by side.
CREATING COLOR HARMONY
Analogous Harmony. When hues that are adjacent or beside each other in the color
wheel is used in the composition.
CREATING COLOR HARMONY
Color Temperature. Refers to the relative warmth or coolness of a color.
Click icon to add picture

SHAPE
SHAPE
Is formed when two ends of a line meet to enclose an area.
Two-dimensional. Flat
Three dimensional. Solid identified by either mass and volume.
Picture plane. Any flat surface onto which the artwork is created.
SHAPE
Negative shapes. Areas that are not occupied by any form between the shapes of
figures.
CLASSIFICATION OF SHAPES
 CLASSIFICATION OF SHAPES
Abstract shapes are those that have little or no resemblance to natural objects.
They have a recognizable form, but are not real. They are stylized or simplified versions of
organic shapes.
 CLASSIFICATION OF SHAPES
Non-objective or Biomorphic shapes seldom have reference to recognizable objects, but
most often show a similarity to some organic forms.
ACTIVITY
Make your own mandala using different kinds of lines (straight:
horizontal, vertical, diagonal and zigzag; curved lines) and shapes
Color it using either of the three: monochromatic, complimentary,
or analogous.
At the back of your artwork, identify and explain the elements of
art you used.
EXAMPLE:
EXAMPLE:
EXAMPLE:
EXAMPLE:
EXAMPLE:
 Click icon to add picture

LIGHT AND SHADOW

(VALUE)
LIGHT AND SHADOW (VALUE)
Focuses on the what is known as achromatic value. This refers to the changes in the
amount of reflected light which ranges from black to gray to white and vice versa.
This gives the illusion of depth and form.
 LIGHT AND SHADOW (VALUE)
Chiaroscuro. Techniques of manipulating light and shadow in painting.
Tenebrism. Also called ‘dark manner’ means exaggerating the use of shadows to n extreme.
ACTIVITY
Turn on the light of your phone and put it on the boiled
egg.
Notice the light and the shadow you created and draw it
using either pencil or charcoal.
Click icon to add picture

TEXTURE
TEXTURE
is the feel or tactile quality of the surface of
an object.

It has to do with the characteristic of surface,

whether it is rough or smooth, fine or coarse,
polished or dull, plain or irregular.
ACTIVITY
Draw something “rough.”
Try to make it appear as rough as the original.
Click icon to add picture

SPACE
 SPACE
An illusion in the graphic arts created by
techniques that adds depth and distance to
two-dimensional art.
It can be positive or negative, open or closed,
shallow or deep, and two-dimensional or
three-dimensional.
 METHODS OF CREATING
SPACE
Overlapping planes (interposition) occurs
when objects that are closer to the viewer
prevent the view of objects that are behind
them.
 METHODS OF CREATING
SPACE
Relative Size. Objects that appear
large/big indicate nearness and
small sized objects as distant.
 METHODS OF CREATING
SPACE
Position on the picture plane
(Relative Height). Objects found
at the bottom of the frame will
appear closer to the viewer.
Farther distances are indicated by
the positions of the objects higher
on the picture plane.
METHODS OF CREATING
SPACE
Horizon line. The line at the eye level which becomes the point of
reference.
A picture plane can be divided into 3 parts:
Foreground (bottom)
Middle ground (where the horizon is)
Background (topmost part)
Distance is perceived by the spatial position of objects on the
picture plane.
 METHODS OF CREATING
SPACE
Perspective deals with effect of distance on the appearance of objects.
Linear Perspective gives the perception distance by means of converging lines.
Aerial Perspective (gradient) is the effect of haze, mist or atmosphere on the object.
MOVEMENT
MOVEMENT
1. Actual movement. Results in kinetic art. It may be achieved
naturally using wind and water or mechanically through some
energy source (batteries or electricity).
Mobiles. Sculptures that are never stationary and looks different
every time it moves.
2. Implied movement. Results when a variety of lines are used
together, repeated, changed in position, or decreased/increased in
size. This gives an impression of movement in a stationary two-
dimensional art.
MOVEMENT
ACTIVITY
Draw a scene and try to create spaces using any of
the mentioned methods.
In the scene, include an object that implies
movement.
ELEMENTS OF THE
COMBINED ARTS
ELEMENTS OF MUSIC
Rhythm is a movement or pattern with uniform recurrence of accented and
unaccented beat.
Melody is the succession of tones arranged in such a way as to give it a
musical sense.
Harmony is the sounding of a series or group of tones at the same time.
 Concordance results when the combination of sounds are in agreement which make it
sound good.
 Dissonance results when the combination of sounds are not pleasant to hear (e.g. noise).

Timbre is tonal quality or the character of the tone that is produced by an

instrument or by the human voice.
ELEMENTS OF MUSIC
Form is the structure or framework of a composition.
Vocal Forms:
 Opera is a drama set to music complete with actions, costumes and scenery.
 Cantata is a religious story told in music without actions.
 Moro-moro is Philippine drama set to music which depicts the conflict
between Christians and Muslims.
Instrumental Forms:
 Sonata is a long composition for solo instruments (e.g. piano or violin).
 Symphony is a sonata for the orchestra.
ELEMENTS OF MUSIC
Dynamics is the loudness and softness of the sound in music
indicated by symbols to regulate the volume of the sound.
pp pianissimo Very soft
p Piano Soft
mp Mezzo piano Half soft
f Forte Loud
ff Fortesisimo Very loud
crescendo Gradually becoming louder
decrescendo Gradually becoming softer
ELEMENTS OF DANCE
Music plays an important role in the dance to which it is closely related.
Movement is how the dancers use their bodies to move and create organized
patterns.
Choreography refers to how the steps and movements are connected for it to
be performed in an organized manner.
Technique is the skill of the dancer in executing the movements.
Theme is the message of the dance.
Design is the planned organization or patterns of movement in time and
space.
ELEMENTS OF DRAMA
Plot is the over-all structure of the play. It is concerned with what
the story is all about.
 Exposition is the part that familiarizes the audience with the characters and the situation
they are in.
 Complication happens in the middle part of the play which develops the conflict. As the
conflict develops, it reaches a height called the climax where a turning point is expected.
 Resolution also called anticlimax or part of the story where conditions in the story are
normalized and the situation becomes stable.

Setting is the locale and period in which the story takes place.
ELEMENTS OF DRAMA
Characters are the persons involved in the story.
 Protagonist is the central character or the character around which the story
revolves.
 Antagonist is the character that challenge the role of the protagonist.

Dialogue refers to the words uttered by characters in the story.

Theme is what the story means.

ELEMENTS OF THEATER
The Playwright’s role is to work out the plot in terms of the actual actions
to be performed and dialogue to be spoken by actor within the limited
facilities off the stage. The presentation of the playwright’s creativity is
called the play.
The Performers are the ones who portray the characters in a play.
The Director works with the playwright to present the play which is
interpreted and translated into dramatic action.
Production design includes the scenery, props, make up, costumes, lights,
music, sound and all other special effects used in a theater production.
ELEMENTS OF CINEMA
(MOTION PICTURE)
Acting and the Stars. Acting is the art of portraying or impersonating a
character in the story.
Set and Art Directors know the setting of the story and build artificial sets.
Music and Musical Director. Musical director is in charge of selecting,
composing new songs, writing orchestration, preparing background music,
creating musical scores and supervising all recording.
Color in the movies in an innovation in cinematography.
Make-up, Hair and Costume Design. There people are responsible for
applying the specific make-up, hairstyle and costume.
Sound, Camera and Special Effects Technicians. Sound technicians are
responsible for making the dialogue clear and music of fine quality.
PRINCIPLES OF ART
 3 KEY ELEMENTS OF THE
VISUAL ARTS
Form refers to how the specific
elements in the artwork are
organized to produce a unified
whole.
Form is further classified into:
Primary Features. This is how the
artwork appears to the viewers.
Secondary Features. This is how the
primary features of the artwork relate to
one another.
 KEY ELEMENTS OF THE
VISUAL ARTS
Content refers to the message the artist
wants to convey through his art.
3 levels of content:
 Factual. The literal interpretation of the
work, its imagery, describable attributes,
actions and poses.
 Conventional. Takes into consideration the
basic genres and the figurative meanings
usually indicated by familiar signs and
symbols and qualities of the work
 Subjective. Takes into consideration the
effect of the form and content on the viewers
of the art.
 KEY ELEMENTS OF THE
VISUAL ARTS
Context refers to the various
circumstances that influence how a
work of art was produced and
interpreted.
2 types of context:
Primary context. Pertains to the
characteristic of the artist
Secondary context. Pertains to the
setting.
PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN
Balance is the
distribution of visual
weight of objects, colors,
texture and space.
Types of balance:
Symmetrical
Asymmetrical
Radial
MANDALAS
are circular designs with
repeating shapes and they often
hold spiritual significance.
“mandala” comes from the
Sanskrit word for circle.
Many people find drawing
mandalas to be a very centering
and expressive activity.
PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN
Emphasis is the part of design
that catches the viewers
attention.
The artist will usually make
one area stand out by
contrasting it with other areas.
PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN
Movement is the path the viewer’s
eye takes when looking through the
work of art.
Such movements can be implied
along lines, edges, shape, and color
within the work of art.
 PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN
Pattern is the repetition of objects,
shapes, lines, or symbol all over
the space or picture plane.
PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN
Proportion is the feeling
of unity created when all
parts (sizes, amounts, or
number) relate well with
each other.
PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN
Repetition works with patterns
to make work seem active.
The repetition of elements of
design creates unity within the
artwork.
PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN
Rhythm is created when one or
more elements of design are used
repeatedly to produce a feeling of
organized, continuous, sometimes
flowing movement.
To keep rhythm exciting and
active, variety is important.
PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN
Unity is the feeling of harmony
between and among the parts of the
work of art, which creates a feeling
of completeness in the composition.
PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN
Variety is the use of several
elements of design that adds
interest in order to hold the
viewer’s attention and guide
the viewer’s eye through
and around the work of art.
 THE RULE OF THIRDS
Used by visual artists to create compositions that meet the requirements of a good
design.
 THE RULE OF THIRDS
Used by visual artists to create compositions that meet the requirements of a good
design.
THE RULE OF THIRDS
 ACTIVITY
On a felt paper, apply the rule of thirds in this asymmetrical painting:
 THE SEVEN DA VINCIAN
PRINCIPLES
Curiosity.
Approaching life with a
heightened level of wonder and
continuous search to know and
learn more
THE SEVEN DA VINCIAN
PRINCIPLES
Dimostrazione.
The commitment to test knowledge
and to persist in this task, which
includes experiencing both success
and failures in the undertaking.
 THE SEVEN DA VINCIAN
PRINCIPLES
Sensazione.
Experiencing life through
refinement of the senses.
THE SEVEN DA VINCIAN
PRINCIPLES
Sfumato.
“going up in smoke”
It is accepting life's paradoxes
and uncertainties.
It is knowing and realizing that
not everything has a cause and
effect and that events happen
that even logic cannot explain.
 THE SEVEN DA VINCIAN
PRINCIPLES
Arte/Scienza.
Finding balance between art
and science or logic and
imagination.
THE SEVEN DA VINCIAN
PRINCIPLES
Corporalita.
Taking care of one's body.
Ensuring that healthy habits
are practiced and sustained.
THE SEVEN DA VINCIAN
PRINCIPLES
Connessione.
Realizing that all things are
connected.
It is discovering patterns in
the way things work and how
things and lives work out.
Interconnectedness is seeing
how events in the past led to
the present state of affairs.