Elements and Principles of Art

Studio to School Program, November 2015

Elements of Art: the artist’s toolbox

These are the building blocks used by artists to create a work of art. You can also think of them as the tools in an artist’s tool box. There are seven elements of art. All artists use one or more of these elements in order to create art.

1.Line 2.Shape3.Form4.Color

5.Value6.Texture7.Space

The Seven Elements of Art

Elements of Art: Line

A line is a mark that spans the distance between two points. A line has length, width, and direction.

Thick

Thin

Curly

Curved

Parallel

Spiral Vertical

Horizontal

Dashed

Dotted

Diagonal

ZigzagOutline

(Contour)

Perpendicular

Line

Elements of Art: Shape

A shape is an enclosed figure with two dimensions (width and length).

Shape

Elements of Art: Form

A form is an object that has three dimensions (width, length, and height). Forms take up space.

Form

Elements of Art: Color

Colors used in art come from the three primary colors and black and white. Color is produced when light, striking an object, is reflected back to the eye.

HueHue is the name of the actual color. So, for example, blue is a hue.

Color

Elements of Art: ValueValue refers to dark and light. The difference between values is called value contrast.Using line to create value

change Value: Value refers to how light or dark a color is. Darker values are called shades. Lighter values are called tints. Thus dark blue is a shade of blue and light blue is a tint of blue; these are two different values of the hue, blue.

Value

Elements of Art: TextureTexture describes the feel of an actual surface. A sculpture may have a rough surface, and this is an actual texture that you can feel. A drawing can be made to look like a textured surface and has implied texture, because it may look like texture, but actually is on smooth, flat paper.3-Dimensional

Texture2-Dimensional Texture

Texture

Elements of Art: SpaceSpace refers to the area in which art is organized. With a sculpture or other three-dimensional work of art, the artist works in actual space. In two-dimensional artworks, artists can only give the illusion of depth.

Negative/Positive

Illusion of Depth

Space

Principles of Art: How the artist uses the tools

This refers to how the artist uses the building blocks or elements. The Principles of Art help artists organize any kind of artwork so it feels more comfortable to the viewers. The principles are usually used in combination with each other. Some artwork might include some or all of them.1.Balance 2.Emphasis3.Pattern4.Movement

5.Rhythm6.Proportion7.Unity8.Variety

The Eight Principles of Art

Principles of Art: BalanceBalance is the impression of equilibrium in a work of art. The three types of balance are symmetrical, asymmetrical, or radial.

Symmetry : A picture that can be

folded in such a way that one-half of it is an exact

reflection.

Asymmetry: Two sides of art

work are different but are

visually balanced.

Radial: A type of balance in which the parts of the

picture are regularly

arranged and radiate from a central point.

Balance

Symmetry

Radial

Asymmetry

Principles of Art: EmphasisEmphasis: : Emphasis refers to the created center of interest, the place in an artwork where your eye first lands.

Using Color Using Size Using Space

Emphasis

Principles of Art: PatternPatterns in art are created by repeating art elements—such as line, color, and shape—throughout a work of art.

Using Line

Using Shape

Using Color

Pattern

Principles of Art: MovementArtists use visual movement to guide the viewer’s eye throughout the artwork. The use of line or pattern may often lead the viewer’s eye to the focal point of the work.

Using Line

Using Pattern

Line with focal point

Movement

Principles of Art: Rhythm

Artists create rhythm in an artwork by repeating elements in a particular order

Rhythm

Principles of Art: Proportion

Proportion is the size relationship of parts to a whole and to one another.

Proportion

Principles of Art: UnityUnity occurs when all the parts of a work of art are viewed as belonging together (opposite of random), which gives the work of art a sense of completion. However if the artist uses unity alone without any variety, the artwork might seem boring.

Unity with variety in size and color

Unity with variety space/placement

Unity with variety in color

Unity

Principles of Art: VarietyVariety adds visual interest to a work of art. Variety and unity go hand in hand. Without unity, an image is chaotic and confusing; without variety it is dull and uninteresting. Artwork needs a balance of unity and variety; the elements need to be alike enough so we perceive them as belonging together and different enough to be interesting.

Variety

Review: What elements and principles do you see?

Review: What elements and principles do you see?

Review: What elements and principles do you see?

Review: What elements and principles do you see?