Line is an element of art that defines shapes and contours. Characteristics of line include width, length, direction, focus, and feeling. Color refers to reflected light and has characteristics such as hue, value, intensity, and primary/secondary/tertiary colors. Shape is a two-dimensional area that can be geometric or organic in form. Space refers to the area around objects and how depth is achieved through perspective. Texture gives the illusion of roughness or smoothness and can be real or implied. Value creates depth through varying degrees of lightness and darkness. Form is a three-dimensional area that has height, width and depth.

1. ELEMENTS
OF ART

2. LINE
DEFINITION
An element of art to define shape and contours (outlines); a
continuous mark made on a surface

3. LINE
CHARACTERISTICS
Width – thick, thin
Length – long, short, continuous, broken
Direction – horizontal, vertical, diagonal, curving,
perpendicular, oblique,
Focus – sharp, blurry, fuzzy
Feeling – sharp, jagged, graceful
Contour lines – lines that describe the shape of an object
(outline)
Implied lines – lines not actually drawn but created by a
group of objects seen from a distance

4. COLOR
DEFINITION
Refers to reflected light
Hue = Color (red)
Value = lightness or darkness
Intensity = How bright or dim

5. COLOR
CHARACTERISTICS
Primary, Secondary, Tertiary/Intermediate, Complementary
Colors, Analogous, Triadic, Monochromatic, Warm, Cool

6. SHAPE
DEFINITION
A 2-D area designed in some way; has height and width, but
no depth.

7. SHAPE
CHARACTERISTICS
Geometric shapes- shapes that are sharp and found in math
Organic shapes – shapes that are found in nature; round

8. SHAPE
VISUAL

9. SPACE
DEFINITION
Refers to the area in or around an object; the arrangement of
objects on a picture plane; depth can be achieve in space
through perspective

10. SPACE
CHARACTERISTICS
Positive = space in; occupied by an object
Negative = space out or around an object where there is
nothing there

11. SPACE
VISUAL

12. TEXTURE
DEFINITION
The surface quality of an object; the illusion of roughness or
smoothness in a picture

13. TEXTURE
CHARACTERISTICS
Real texture – the actual texture of an objects
Implied Texture – how the texture appears to feel but may not
actually feel that way

14. TEXTURE
VISUAL

15. VALUE
DEFINITION
The range of lightness and darkness within a picture; creates
depth within a picture, making an object look 3-D

16. VALUE
CHARACTERISTICS
TINT
SHADE
CROSS HATCHING
HATCHING
BLENDING
STIPPLING

17. VALUE
VISUAL

18. FORM
DEFINITION
A 3-D area that is defined in some way; has height, width, and
depth

19. FORM
CHARACTERISTICS
Geometric, organic

20. FORM
VISUAL