Elements and Principles of Visual Arts

• Line; the foundation of all drawings and is the first and the most flexible of the visual elements
• Line; can be used to suggest patterns, form, shape, structure, growth, depth, distance, rhythm, and movement
• Kinds of Line;

  1. Horizontal Line
  2. Vertical Line
  3. Diagonal Line
  4. Curved Line
  5. Zigzag Line
  6. Constructive Line
  7. Expressive Line
• Horizontal Line; generally moves from left to right to left (or right to left), and looks like they are lying down, at rest, or asleep
• Vertical Line; travels up and down and are perpendicular to the horizon
• Vertical Line; strong and rigid
• Vertical Line; their tallness and formality may also give the impression or dignity
• Vertical Line; seems to be extending, so they may seem encouraging like majestic trees or tall buildings
• Diagonal Line; angled and can either be a n incline or decline slope
• Diagonal Line; unstable in relation to gravity, are either about to fall or are already in motion
• Diagonal Line; used to indicate depth, an illusion of perspective that pulls the viewer into the picture, creating an illusion of a space that one could move about within
• Curved Line; are softer than straight lines
• Curved Line; are swept and turned gracefully between the endpoints
• Curved Line; less predictable and definite
• Curved Line; express fluid movements, which can look dynamic or calm depending on how curve it is
• Zigzag Line; are created by connecting diagonal lines together at their point
• Zigzag Line; create excitement and intense movement
• Zigzag Line; convey confusion and nervousness as they change direction quickly and frequently
• Zigzag Line; can imply danger and destruction as they break down
• Constructive Lines; sometimes called Classic Lines or Directional Lines provide a structure to the composition
• Constructive Lines; can be oriented to the horizontal, vertical, or diagonal axis to the surface
• Constructive Lines; are very measured, directional and angular, and appear to be man-made because of its precision
• Constructive Lines; straight lines provide visual stability while still giving direction to a composition
• Expressive Lines; are curved lines that add more dynamics and characters to the work of Art created
• Expressive Lines; are often rounded and follow undetermined paths
• Expressive Lines; tend to be found in nature and are very organic
• Element of Shape; can be created when a line becomes connected that it already encloses a space
• Element of Shape; help create complex drawing and paintings, affect the composition, and contribute to the balance within the work
• Element of Shape; are the outline or outward appearance of an object, and they are considered 2-Dimensional (2D), which means they can be measured through their width and height
• Organic Shapes; are shaped that are asymmetrical or irregular in appearance; they also have a curvy flow to them and have more complicated edges
• Organic Shapes; almost all of the shapes found in nature are organic in appearance, examples are flowers and leaves
• Geometric Shapes; defined as shapes that have regular appearance and are typically man-made
• Geometric Shapes; they have smooth edges and are measurable. This includes shape, triangle, and rectangle
• Form; a shape that has become 3 - Dimensional and has encloses volume
• Form; measured through its length, width, and depth/diameter
• Geometric Form; can be often be seen in built environment and architecture like buildings, or they can also be found in spheres of plant and bubbles
• Geometric Form; based on mathematical descriptions like sphere, cube, pyramid, cone, and cylinder
• Organic Form; are free-flowing, curvy, asymmetrical, and are not easily measures or named
• Organic Form; this type of form often occurs in nature, as in shapes of flower, branches, leaves, puddles, clouds, animals, and human figures
• Types of Forms;

  1. Geometric Form
  2. Organic Form