Elements & Principles

Of Art

Element Line

is a mark on a surface that describes a shape or outline.

Element Shape

is a 2-dimensional line with no form or thickness. Shapes are flat and can be grouped into two categories, geometric and organic.

Element Color

How the human eye perceives

light reflected off

an object

Element Texture

is about surface quality either tactile or visual.

Element Form

is a 3-dimensional object having volume and thickness or the illusion of a third dimension.

Element Value

is the degree of light and dark in a design. It is the contrast between black and white and all the tones in between.

Element Space

refers to illusion of depth (foreground, middle ground and background.

Negative & positive Space (negative space is unoccupied and black…positive is occupied and white.

Principles Balance

is a feeling of visual equality or stability in a piece of artwork.

Symmetry: the same on both sides

Asymmetrical : not the same

Principles Unity

When all the elements work together to create harmony in a piece of artwork.

Principles Contrast

A large difference that creates tension or interest in a piece of artwork.

Principles Emphasis

is an area that first attracts attention in a composition, a focal point.

Principles Movement

is a visual flow through the composition

Principles Rhythm

When an elements repeats in a piece of artwork. 

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Proportion The comparative

relationship of one part to another with respect to size, amount or quantity.

Principles

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PrinciplesPattern

Identical Repetition.