Elements and Principles of Design

Elements: Line Shape Form Color Value Texture Space

Principles: Balance Emphasis & Focal Point Contrast Movement Variety Pattern & Repetition Unity Harmony/Gestalt

Line A line is defined as a mark with length and direction, created by a point that moves across a surface. A line can vary in length, width, direction,

curvature, and color. Contour, Diagonal, Broken, Curved, Outline, Implied, Vertical, zigzag, Horizontal, Wavy, Slanted, Continuous, Solid, Narrow, Bold

Jasper Johns, 0-9 (continuous line) � Gesture drawing �

line

Jackson Pollock, Autumn Rhythm�

Andy Goldsworthy

LINE

Keith Haring

Shape Shape is an enclosed space defined by other elements

of art. Shape is 2-Dimensional

Shape can be: Geometric: Angular, man-made concept Organic: curvilinear - found in nature

Fernana Leger, The City� Matisse, from the series “Jazz”�

Picasso, Three Musicians

FORM Forms are 3-Dimensional Shapes. They have volume.

MC Escher, Self Portrait

Tamara de Lempicka Portrait of Ira P. 1925

Vincent Van Gogh, Shoes

Value

An element of art that refers to luminance or luminosity – the lightness or darkness of a color.

Value is an especially important element in works of art

when color is absent. This is particularly likely with drawings, printmaking, and photographs

Kathe Kollwitz,�Self portrait �

Value

Chuck Close �(made w/ thumbprints!) �

Edward Weston, Pepper �(photograph)

Texture Texture refers to the surface quality or "feel" of an object, such as

roughness, smoothness, or softness. Actual texture can be felt while simulated textures are implied by the way the artist renders the surface

area

Oppenheim�Fur-lined cup �

Texture

Actual and Implied

Golsdworthy�

Albrecht Durer �Rhinocerus �

Color Is an element of art with three properties 1) Hue, the name of the color, e.g. red, yellow, etc. 2) Intensity or the purity and strength of the color 3) Value, or the lightness or darkness of the color

Delauney�

Jasper Johns, Target �(primary colors)

Primary Colors

Piet Mondrian Wassily Kandinsky

Warm Colors

•  Colors that are often described as being higher in temperature

•  Reds, oranges, yellows •  Associated with fire and sun •  Optically, appear to advance •  Stimulating and passionate

Ex. Warm

Cool

•  Colors that are often described as being lower in temperature

•  Greens, Blues, and Violet •  Associated with water, sky, and spring •  Optically, they appear to recede •  Calming and depressing

Ex. Cool

Color and Mood

Picasso, the Old Guitarist �

Van Gogh, the Night Cafe

Space Space is the empty or open area between, around, above, below, or within objects. Shapes and forms are made by the space around and

within them. Space is often called three-dimensional or two- dimensional.

MC Escher �

Space Positive space is filled by a shape or form. Negative space surrounds a shape or form.

Space/Depth

May be created by overlapping, change in scale, perspective placement, color theory, or projection toward the

viewer.

David Hockney Place Furstenberg, Paris, August 7,8,9, 1985 -#11985

Balance Balance is a sense of stability in the body of work.

Balance can be symmetrical (formal) or assymmetrical (informal)

Wayne Thiebaud, Around the Cake (formal balance) �

Diane Arbus, Twins

Symmetrical/Formal Balance

Leonardo da Vinci, The Last Supper 1495-1498

Symmetrical Balance

Asymmetrical Balance

Edgar Degas (informal balance) �

Asymmetrical Balance

Variety When elements are changed in scale, color, or form.

Andy Warhol�

Stuart Davis�

Movement Movement adds excitement to your work by showing action and directing the

viewers eye throughout the picture plane.

Edward Munch, the Scream�

Movement

Marcel Duchamp, Nude Descending Staircase �Umberto Boccioni, �

Unique forms of continuity in space�

Dominance & Subordination The part of a composition that is emphasized. It is the most important, powerful, or influential part in the composition

Emphasis & Focal Point Emphasis - Any forcefulness that gives importance to some feature or features of

an artwork; something singled out, stressed, or drawn attention to by means of contrast, anomaly, or counterpoint

Focal Point = portion of an artwork's composition on which interest or attention

centers

David Hockney�

Emphasis & Focal Point

Barbara Kruger � Rene Magritte �

Pattern & Repetition Involves multiples of the same element. Repeated elements can vary in size, color, or axis placement. Repeated elements can create a pattern. The use of

repetition may be applied to all Visual Elements. Motion can be created by repetition.

William Morris �Arts and Crafts Movement �

Pattern & Repetition

Chuck Close, Self Portrait, detail�

Contrast A large difference between two things,

such as light and shadow, color and black/white

Andy Warhol�

Contrast

David, the Death of Marat�

Economy

Unity & Harmony The quality of wholeness or oneness (Gestalt) that is achieved through the

effective use of the elements and principles of design.

Claude Monet �Haystacks�

Unity

Cezanne �

Wayne Theibaud�

Unity

Van Gogh “Starry Night”�

What Elements and Principles stand out?

What Elements and Principles stand out?

Goya, “The 5th of May”

Gauguin

What Elements and Principles stand out?

What Elements and Principles stand out?