Lesson 5

• The elements and principles of art do not exist in vacuum. They convey meaning, and express ideas and feelings. They are firmly rooted in psychophysical experiences in particular cultures, their values, their priorities, and their

  conventions.
• Elements of Art

  • Line is associated with the body’s axis as it moves toward different directions and adjusts to appoint of reference through various positions and actions such as walking, running, standing, sitting reclining, etc. In the visual arts, it also refers to the quality of the line, whether thin, broken, thick or blended, among others.
• EA

  Color is associated with our experiences of cold and warmth, and the quality of light in our tropical environment, the cycles of night and day, of darkness and light
• EA

  • Hues vary in saturation, intensity or brilliance. Another aspect, value or tone, refers to hue’s brightness or darkness.
• EA

  • Value refers to gradations of tone from light to dark, which can be an aspect of color but could also specifically refer to the play of light on an object or a scene.
• EA

  • Texture refers to how objects and surfaces feel and is most associated with the sense of touch or tactility. Textures are created when several lines combine. The combination may be described as smooth, translucent, fine, silky, satiny, velvety, sandy, furry, feathery, slimy, gritty, rough, rugged, jagged, thick, thin and so on.
• EA

  • Shape refers to forms that are two dimensional or three dimensional. Two dimensional shapes exist as planes having length and width. Three dimensional shapes possess length, width and volume. Shapes can either be geometric, biomorphic or free inventions.
• EA

  • Space in visual arts can be defined as a void, an emptiness which can either be positive or negative. The positive space refers to a space enclosed in a shape while the negative space denotes the opposite.
• Principles of Design

  The principles of design describe the ways that artists use the elements of art in a work of art.
• PD

  • Balance is the distribution of the visual weight of objects, colors, texture, and space. If the design was a scale, these elements should be balanced to make a design feel stable. In symmetrical balance, the elements used on one side of the design are similar to those on the other side; in asymmetrical balance, the sides are different but still look balanced. In radial balance, the elements are arranged around a central point and may be similar.
• PD

  • Emphasis is the part of the design that catches the viewer's attention. Usually, the artist will make one area stand out by contrasting it with other areas. The area could be different in size, color, texture, shape, etc.
• PD

  • Movement is the path the viewer's eye takes through the work of art, often to focal areas. Such movement can be directed along lines, edges, shape, and color within the work of art.
• PD

  • Pattern is the repeating of an object or symbol all over the work of art.
• PD

  • Repetition works with pattern to make the work of art seem active. The repetition of elements of design creates unity within the work of art.
• PD

  • Proportion is the feeling of unity created when all parts (sizes, amounts, or number) relate well with each other. When drawing the human figure, proportion can refer to the size of the head compared to the rest of the body.
• PD

  • Rhythm is created when one or more elements of design are used repeatedly to create a feeling of organized movement. Rhythm creates a mood like music or dancing. To keep rhythm exciting and active, variety is essential.
• PD

  • Variety is the use of several elements of design to hold the viewer's attention and to guide the viewer's eye through and around the work of art.
• PD

  • Unity is the feeling of harmony between all parts of the work of art, which creates a sense of completeness.
• In sum, one has to be very observant and look at , feel, hear and sense the work closely-its

  material, techniques the artist used, the elements and principles of composition. All works of

  art, whether traditional, modern or contemporary need to be experienced at the level of the

  senses, emotions and the mind.