ART PRINCIPLES AND ELEMENTS

• Contemporary art forms based on the Elements and Principles
• 7 main Elements of Art

  • Line
  • Shape
  • Color
  • Space
  • Texture
  • Value
  • Form
• Line


  An element of art that is used to define shape, contours, and outlines. Also to suggest mass and volume. It may be a continuous mark made on surface with a pointed tool or implied by the edges of shape and form
• Two characteristics of Lines

  • Form
  • Direction
• Form of Lines


  Curved, dotted, or broken lines
• Direction of Lines


  Vertical, horizontal, or diagonal line
• Different characteristics of line and their meanings

  • Horizontal Line - creates an impression of serenity and perfect stability
  • Vertical Line - creates an impression of strength and perfect stability
  • Diagonal Line - creates an impression of action
  • Curved Line - creates an impression of gradual change of direction
  • Circular Line - creates an impression of abrupt change of direction
• Types of Lines

  • Outlines are made by the edge of an object or its silhouette.
  • Contour Lines describe the shape of an object and the interior detail.
  • Expressive Lines catch the movement and gestures of an active figure.
  • Sketch Lines capture the appearance of an object or impression of a place.
  • Calligraphic Lines are the elegant handwriting or lettering done by hand.
  • Implied Lines are lines that are not actually drawn but created by a group of objects seen from a distance.
• Shape


  An area that is enclosed by a line or lines. Shapes are two dimensional figures with height and width.
• Different kinds of shapes


  • Geometric Shapes
  • Organic Shapes
  • Abstract Shapes
• Types of Shapes


  • Geometric Shapes
  • Organic Shapes
  • Positive Shapes
  • Negative Shapes
  • Static Shapes
  • Dynamic Shapes
• Color


  The way we see light reflected from a surface or refracted through a prism. Colors we see in nature are reflections of light on the surfaces around us.
• Classifications of Color


  • Primary Colors
  • Secondary Colors
  • Tertiary Colors
  • Analogous Colors
  • Complementary Colors
  • Monochromatic Colors
  • Warm Colors
  • Cool Colors
• Space


  Distances or areas around, between or within components of a piece and refers to the arrangement of objects on the picture plane (two-dimensional). Positive space refers to a part which is enclosed in a shape. Negative space refers to the opposite part which the shape is enclosing. Perspective is a technical means by which we perceive distance in painting.
• Types of Perspective


  • One-point Perspective
  • Two-point Perspective
• Texture


  The element that appeals to our sense of feel on things - rough or smooth, bumpy or slippery. It is the character of the surface of an artwork.
• Types of Texture


  • Real Texture
  • Implied Texture
• Value


  The lightness or darkness of a color in a given artwork. Value can be changed by adding white or black to a color and these described as tint and shade.
• Types of Value


  • Tint
  • Shade
• Form


  The three-dimensionality of an object. It has dimensions of height, width, and length.
• 8 Principles of Art

  • Rhythm
  • Movement
  • Balance
  • Proportion
  • Contrast
  • Variety
  • Emphasis
  • Harmony
• Rhythm


  The repetition of certain elements to produce a pattern. Rhythm refers to the movement within a piece of art that helps the eye travel through the to a point of focus.
• Movement


  The illusion of motion in a painting, sculpture, or design. Movement is the principle of design used to give artists the ability to lead a viewer's eyes around an art piece.
• Balance


  The visual weight in a picture. It refers to the even distribution of positions of elements in an artwork. Can be symmetrical or asymmetrical.
• Proportion


  The relationships of the size of objects in a body of work. Refers to the dimensions of a composition and relationships between height, width and depth.
• Contrast


  Shows differences between elements of art in an artwork. Shows how stronger each element of art in relation to one another.
• Variety


  The diversity or the different elements used in an artwork to make it more interesting.
• Emphasis


  The greater impact or highlight given to a certain element in an artwork.
• Harmony


  The unity of an artwork. It is about the arrangement of the related elements that makes an artwork to be viewed as a whole.