Elements and Principles of Art

Visual Art
ELEMENTS OF ART

The Elements of Art

are the basic building blocks of all artwork.

Artwork can be broken down into these

Basic elements:

*Line * Texture * Shape * Value

* Color *Space * Form
LINE: A line is an identifiable path created by a point moving in
space. It is one-dimensional and can vary in width, direction, and
length.

different types:

///// \\\\\ diagonal

lllllll vertical

====== horizontal

different qualities:

thick
------- thin
jagged
~ ~ ~ ~ curved
. . . . . . . dotted
SHAPE:Shape and form define objects in space.
Shapes have two-dimensions, height and width, and
are usually defined by lines.
COLOR: Reflected light of an object. Organized on a color
wheel with three primary colors, three secondary colors, and
six intermediate colors.
Primary Colors: RED YELLOW & BLUE

Secondary Colors are created by mixing 2 primary colors.

Intermediate Colors are created by mixing 2 secondary colors.

Complementary Colors: Opposite colors on the color wheel.

Color Schemes:
Warm colors - red, orange, yellow

Cool colors - blue, violet, green

Neutrals - brown, black, white, gray

Tints - a color mixed with white, making it lighter

FORM - An object that can be seen
from many sides (3 dimensional),
an object that is not flat.
Value: The lightness or darkness of a color.

 The lightness or darkness of a color.

The lightness or darkness of a color.

Texture: the way something feels to
the touch or looks like it feels.
ACTUAL TEXTURE (REAL) VISUAL TEXTURE (IMPLIED)
Space: Space in a work of art refers to a feeling of depth
or three-dimensions. It can also refer to the artist’s use of the
area within the picture. (Positive & Negative)

NEGATIVE: AREA AROUND POSITIVE: AREA TAKEN UP BY

OBJECT OBJECT
Background: The part of a work of art that looks farthest away from the viewer.

Foreground: The part of a work of art that appears closest to the viewer.
This is often the most important part of the work.

Middleground: The part of a work of art that appears midway between two things, such as the foreground and
the background.

Overlap: One part (as a line, shape or color) covers some of another part.

Perspective: The technique of representing 3-D objects and depth on a 2-D surface.

Placement: The act of placing or arranging things in a composition/artwork.

overlap
PRINCIPLES OF ART

*Repetition * Balance
*Variety * Rhythm
* Movement * Contrast
* Center of Interest
 Repetition
The repeating of any object,shape, or design to create interest in a work.
*** ++*** ++ *** ++ repeating in a planned manner creates a pattern.
 BALANCE
Achieved in a work of art when opposite sides
contain elements of equal balance.
 Movement
This occurs when the artist uses elements to move the viewer's eye
across the work.
Contrast –This occurs when the viewer is meant to
compare opposite things in the artwork to attract the
viewer's eye
 VaRiTy
The artist uses a variety of the elements so the work is interesting/not dull.
 Center of Interest
Sometimes called emphasis, is the focal point of an
artwork....the first thing you want people to notice in the work. It grabs the
viewer's interest.