ELEMENTS AND PRINCIPLES OF ART

• what are the elements of art? (ortiz et al., 1976)

  The elements of art are the "building blocks" of art. 

  They are joined together in a variety of ways to formulate art. 
• what are the elements of visual art?

  • Line 
  • Shape 
  • Form 
  • Space 
  • Color 
  • Texture 
  • Planes and Perspective 
• what are the elements of music?

  • Rhythm
  • melody
  • harmony
  • tone color
  • texture
  • form
• what are the elements of fiction?

  • character
  • setting
  • theme
  • language
  • style
  • point of view
• what are the elements of poetry?

  • connotation
  • figurative language
  • imagery
  • sound and rhythm
• what are the elements of drama?

  • character
  • conflict
  • discovery, reversal, dramatic irony
  • language and idea
• what are the elements of dance?

  • content (theme)
  • movement
  • music
  • spectacle
• what are the elements of film/cinema?

  • time
  • space
  • framing
  • sound
• what are the principles of design? (Mittler, 2006)

  multiple ways the elements of art can be used to create an artwork. 
• what are the principles of design? (Mittler, 2006)

  • Balance 
  • Emphasis 
  • Harmony 
  • Variety 
  • Gradation 
  • Movement 
  • Rhythm 
  • Proportion 
• What is Balance? (Mittler, 2006)

  • combining elements to add a feeling of equilibrium or stability to a work of art.  It can be symmetrical, asymmetrical, or radial. 
• balance example

  • katsushika hokusai
  • saucer
  • swags and rosettes
• what is emphasis? M,2006

  • emphasis or contrast, is a way of combining elements.
  • contrast element often used to direct and focus the viewers attention
• emphasis examples

  • lacer padler
  • landscape
• what is harmony? M,2006

  • way of combining similar elements in an artwork
  • is accomplished through repetitions and subtle, gradual changes
• harmony examples

  • glass oinochoe
  • panel with horse heads
• what is variety?


  combining elements in involved to create intricate and complicated relationship
• variety examples

  • landscape
  • stocklet palace
• what is gradation? m,2006

  • combining elements by using a series of gradual changes
• example of gradation

  • gradual change from small shapes to larger
  • from a dark hue to a light hue
• what is movement?

  • used to create the look and feeling of action
  • used to direct the attention to center of interest
• movement examples

  • marble statue
  • bronze statuette
• what is rhythm?


  created by careful placement of repeated elements to cause visual tempo or beat
• what is proportion?

  • principle of art concerned with relationships of elements
  • proportion is often closely connected with emphasis