This document provides an overview of how to study art by learning about elements, principles, design psychology, and materials techniques. It discusses key art elements like line, shape, form, value, color, texture, light and space. Principles of design like contrast, harmony, balance, rhythm, unity and emphasis are also covered. Compositional functions of lines and shapes are explained through examples. Different types of art are defined as representational, abstract and non-representational. The importance of technique and using various materials to successfully translate ideas and emotions into art is highlighted.

1. LESSON 2: HOW
DO I STUDY ART?
MAKING ART

2. Learning objectives:
 Learn how art communicates colors,
symbolic quality of shape, management,
quality of texture, the drama of lighting, and
many others
 Be able to read design principles behind
some effective and though providing art form
and graphic designs.
 Explore materials and techniques through
firsthand experience.

3. INTRODUCTION
These lesson will cover these topics;
Element and principle, design psychology, and
materials techniques. These are meant you to
gain first-hand experience on the creative
process and what goes on inside an artistic
pursuit. In the same way, we can learn to
appreciate art by taking time to carefully look
at the ``ingredients`` that make up the
different art forms.

4. Art and Elements and Principles
Element of Art – are the formal or
tangible aspects of art.
Principles of Design – are long held
composition techniques which have
been proven and used by both fine and
graphic artists to communicate ideas
and concept effectively.

5. ART ELEMENTS
a. Line - lines can be expressive and have a quality of its own, like: scribbles,
whimsical or naive lines, implied lines, blurred lines, and calligraphic lines.
b. Shape – three basic kinds: geometric, biomorphic and amorphous. Shape can
also be implied (shapes produced by the negative space)
c. Form – three dimensional shape. Can refer to the quality or likeness of an
entire mass, let us say the form of a woman. It employs several techniques like
shading perspective and lighting.
d. Value – the lightness and darkness of a hue or a color often represented in a
local value scale, it has two parts the tint (light tones) and the shades (darker
tones). A tone is a general term for a certain value.
e. Color – also known as hue. Scientifically, it is the light that bounces off a
surface. In art we use subtractive colors , i . e , colors that are from pigments .
Additive colors refer to a property of light.

6. ART ELEMENTS
f. Texture – can be used in paintings like impastio , shamping and scratching in
poetry when making paints and many others contemporary artists have also
used the elements of texture to convey certain emotion.
g. Light – without light , all the previous elements will not be possible. Light
creates the illusion that color, form, and texture exists light can be applied,
natural or artificial (as with a digital rendition). The lightning of an artwork
has a very strong effect on its overall impact. An example of strong and
theatrical lightning is called chiaroscuro.
h. Space – an areas where the other elements can interact. Two types: positive
and negative space. Double negative space refers to a blank space used as
negative space by, let us say, a field of color pigment.

7. Quick Facts
What is representational, abstract, and non-representational art?
Representational – simply means it mimics what is real
or what can be seen. The image is recognizable as
interpreted by the artist.
Abstract – is a modified interpretation of something
that exists, but it becomes hardly recognizable.
Non-Representational art – is purely concerned with
forms, shapes, colors and the rest of the elements. It
does not represent any other subject matter outside of
itself.

8. Principles of Design
Contrast – are design principle which uses the element of value to create
dept and dimension. Light also plays an important role in creating good
contrast.
Harmony – elements are related to each other in terms of form color, theme,
etc.
Balance – ( Symmetrical and asymmetrical ) aesthetic quality of a work
marked by a sensible balance between two areas, right and left, top and
bottom.
Rhythm and Movement – creating a sense of direction through repetition of
element movement direct the viewers eye towards something.
Unity and Variety – elements should be seen as a whole and unity, variety still
give as sense of wholeness but the elements differ in a some aspects and
provide more interest to the work.

9. Principles of Design
 Emphasis and Subordination - n area or a specific subject is
given focus hence other parts of the picture are
subordinated
 Scale and Proportion -this can be either an appropriate use
of scale and proportion or it can also be an effective way of
changing the scale to achieve a certain visual goal. It also
shows relationship between the object and the space.
 Depth and Perspective -shows three-dimensionality of a
space through the use of perspective lines and vanishing
points.

10. Compositional Function of Lines and Shapes
A composition is basically how the element
are arrange and space with the intension of artistic
expression. Here are some compositional devices use by
classical artist and are still evident these days.
 A half circle - often used in domes for some classical
paintings
and even modern architecture symbolizes femininity
because of its womb like shape. Since it has no corners,
it also resonates eternity .Socialism in art has a
different connotation for the circle ,which starts about

11. Compositional function of lines and
shape
 A Triangle - when used in a composition
suggests relationship. ‘’Leonardo De
Vinci’s’’. ’’Madonna of the rocks’’. The
triangular arrangement of figures with the
Madonna at the apex may suggest stability
and inclination towards the central figures.
 An Implied Line or Line Movement in a
painting may intentionally lead a viewers to
a local point of the subject matter.

12. ABSTRACTION
 More often than not, you might encounter a time in your life
where you can envision a painting or a sculpture that depicts an
idea, an emotion, or an experience of your own. As one writer says,
we all have a work of art in our minds. However, not all of us can
translate this into reality. This is where the skill or the knowledge
of techniques and materials become essential. That is why there
are artists-skilled and talented individuals who can help us address
our non-verbal yet significant human expressions. Also, we should
not miss the fact that because lots of materials are now available
and have become valid forms of art, our expressions need not be
limited to drawing or painting Technique, on the other hand, takes
fine and practice. Combining the two, excellent techniques applied
to materials, art expression becomes more successful.