Elements of Art &

The Principles of Design

Elements

• The Building Blocks

Line Shape Color Form Space Texture

o The Elements of Art are the building blocks that we use to make a piece of art.

o They are…. o Line

o Shape/Form

o Color

o Value

o Texture

o Space

Line • Line is an element

of art that is the path of a moving point through space

• It is used by an artist to control the viewer’s eye movement

• 5 kinds of line: • Vertical

• horizontal

• diagonal

• curved

• zigzag

LINE

The Times of the Day

Alphonse Mucha, 1899

LINE

Melancholia I

Albrecht Durer, 1514

LINE

Melancholia I

Albrecht Durer, 1514

Shape/Form • Shape is a two – dimensional

area that is defined in some way; only has height and width; -geometric

-organic (free-form)

. Form is an object that has 3 dimensions:

-height, width and depth

-geometric

-organic (free-form)

SHAPE

The Knife Thrower

Henri Matisse, 1943

FORM

Reclining Figure

Henry Moore, 1951

FORM

Indefinite Divisibility

Yves Tanguy, 1954

Color • Colors is a element

of art that is derived from reflection of light.

• 3 properties: hue, value and intensity.

• Artists organize colors using different schemes to evoke a feeling, emotion or theme.

COLOR

A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grand Jatte

Georges Seurat , 1884

COLOR

A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grand Jatte

Georges Seurat , 1884

Value • Value is the element of art that

describes the darkness or lightness of an object.

• Value depends on how much light reflects off the surface; artists use shading techniques to create value.

• Texture refers to how things feel (actual) or look as if they feel if touched (simulated). Texture is perceived by touch and sight.

• Objects can have rough or smooth textures and shiny or matte surfaces.

TEXTURE

No 1

Jackson Pollock, 1948

Space/Perspective • Space is the element of

art that refers to the emptiness of an area-between, around above, below or within objects.

• Shape and form are defined by space can be positive or negative.

SPACE

Snow in New York

Robert Henri, 1902

The Principles of Design • The Principles of Design are how you use the building

blocks of art (Elements) so that the whole thing “works.”

• They are: – Balance – Emphasis – Movement – Repetition – Rhythm – Contrast – Variety – Unity

Balance • Balance is the distribution of the

visual weight of objects, colors, texture, and space.

• If the design was a scale, these elements should be balanced to make a design feel stable.

• In symmetrical balance, the elements used on one side of the design are similar to those on the other side

• in asymmetrical balance, the sides are different but still look balanced.

• In radial balance, the elements are arranged around a central point and may be similar.

Emphasis • Emphasis is the part of

the design that catches the viewer’s attention.

• Usually the artist will make one area stand out by contrasting it with other areas. The area could be different in size, color, texture, shape, etc.

Movement • Movement is the path

the viewer’s eye takes through the work of art, often to focal areas.

• Such movement can be directed along lines, edges, shape, and color within the work of art.

Repetition and Pattern • Pattern is the repeating of an object or symbol all over

the work of art.

• Repetition works with pattern to make the work of art seem active.

• The repetition of elements of design creates unity within the work of art.

Rhythm • Rhythm is created

when one or more elements of design are used repeatedly to create a feeling of organized movement.

• Rhythm creates a mood like music or dancing.

• To keep rhythm exciting and active, variety is essential.

Contrast • Contrast is the

arrangement of opposite elements in a piece of art.

• For example, light vs. dark colors, rough vs. smooth textures, large vs. small shapes, etc.

Variety • Variety is the use of several elements of design to

hold the viewer’s attention and to guide the viewer’s eye through and around the work of art.

Unity • Unity is the feeling of

harmony between all parts of the work of art, which creates a sense of completeness.