Elements and Principles of Art Explained
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This document provides information on the elements and principles of art including line, shape, form, color, value, texture, space and perspective, balance, contrast, emphasis, movement, rhythm and pattern, variety, and unity. It defines each element and principle and provides examples. It also includes discussion questions to help understand how each element and principle is used in artwork.
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Elements and Principles of Art Explained
- 3. LINE Artists use lines to define the edges of their images. Lines can have many different qualities, they can be: Thick, Thin, Curvy, Jagged, Broken, Short, Long, Spiral, Geometric, Organic, Etc… Can you find several more examples of lines in use around the room?
- 4. SHAPE A shape is an enclosed space, the boundaries of which are defined by the other elements of art. Shapes are always two dimensional. Geometric shapes have clearly defined edges. Examples of geometric shapes include circles, rectangles, squares and triangles. Organic shapes have natural, less well-defined edges. Examples of organic shapes include clouds, leaves and puddles. Do you believe that there are any geometric shapes in nature?
- 5. FORM A form is a three-dimensional geometrical figure. A sphere, cube, cylinder and cones are all examples of forms. What do you believe is the most popular form used in architecture? why do you believe it is so popular ?
- 6. A color wheel logically arranges color in a sequence of pure hues. A basic three part color wheel is broken into three categories: Primary colors: Blue, Yellow and Red Secondary Colors: Orange, Violet and Green Tertiary Colors: Yellow-Orange, Red- Orange, Red–Violet, Blue-Violet, Blue-Green and Yellow-Green. COLOR What is your favorite color? Why do you think you prefer that color over all the other colors?
- 7. VALUE Value is the lightness or darkness of a color. Artists use value to shade images and add light and shadow. How many different values can you identify in this landscape?
- 8. TEXTURE Texture is the surface quality of an image. Texture can be the way a surface looks as well as the way it physically feels. If an artist were going to try and paint our classroom, what kinds of textures would they need to be able to recreate?
- 9. SPACE/PERSPECTIVE Space refers to distances or areas around, between or within parts of an artwork. Space can be: Positive (white or light) or Negative (black or dark), Open or Closed, Shallow or Deep, Two-Dimensional or Three-Dimensional. Artists who paint or draw create the illusion of space on a flat surface, while sculptors create it using physical space. Would an artist draw an object larger or smaller if they wanted it to appear farther away?
- 11. BALANCE Balance is the equalizing force in a work of art. There are three types of balance: Symmetrical- The parts of an image or object organized so that one side duplicates or mirrors, the other. Asymmetrical- The parts of an image or object are organized so that one side doesn't duplicate the other. Radial (circular)- Images that have equal radius lengths from the center to the edges, all around the circumference. Is the human body primarily symmetrical or asymmetrical?
- 12. CONTRAST Contrast is a great difference between two elements. For example the highest value contrast is between white and black. Other examples of contrasts would be between sizes of short and tall, big and small, and smooth and rough textures. Can you identify other examples of contrast within the classroom ?
- 13. EMPHASIS Emphasis can be achieved with any of the elements. Emphasis is when one element in an artwork is dominant and stands out more than all the other elements. Emphasis is what helps create a focal point for the viewer. What elements are used to create emphasis in these two photographs?
- 14. MOVEMENT Movement leads your eye through a composition. It can suggest an action. The principle of movement is closely related to the principle of rhythm. Which of these three images has the greatest sense of movement and why?
- 15. RHYTHM/PATTERN Rhythm/ Pattern is the repetition of an element in an artwork to make the image seem active. This principle is closely related to the principle of movement. Where do we see patterns used in our everyday lives?
- 16. VARIETY Variety is combining one or more elements. Variety is important because it allows an artist the ability to create interest by adding slight changes in their artwork. What elements where changed to create variety in these two photographs?
- 17. UNITY Unity is the arrangement of the elements and principles in a manner that creates a feeling of completeness or harmony. Which one of these three images has the greatest use of unity and why?
- 18. INDEX WORKS CONSULTED Works Consulted: Scholastic Art, Elements and Principles of Art, September/October 2012 ,vol. 43 no. 1 http://www.artsconnected.org/toolkit/index.html Images used: All images are approved for use under Creative Common’s licenses http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Simultaneous_Contrast.jpg http://www.flickr.com/photos/morgaine/3069473778/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/justsketchy/6256330063/sizes/m/in/photostream/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/neetesh/7145618719/sizes/m/in/photostream/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/rohandumbre/6084279082/sizes/m/in/photostream/ http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattmendoza/3248172557/sizes/m/in/photostream/ http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Mobile_(sculpture)_in_the_style_of_Alexander_Calder.jpg http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:VanGogh-starry_night_ballance1.jpg http://www.flickr.com/photos/49264038@N02/4521237231/sizes/m/in/photostrea/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Color_star-en.svg