The Elements

and

Principles

of ArtJohn Richard Zollo

Elements of ArtThe Building Blocks of Creating Art

Work

LineLineShapeShapeFormFormSpaceSpaceTextureTextureColorColorValueValue

•A line is an identifiable path created by a point moving in space.

•Lines often define the edges of a form.

•Lines can be horizontal, vertical, or diagonal, straight or curved, thick or thin.

•They lead your eye around the composition and can communicate information through their character and direction.

Example of Line

LineLine ShapeShapeFormFormSpaceSpaceTextureTextureValueValue ColorColor

•Shape has only height and width. •Shape is usually, though not always, defined by line, which can provide its contour.

Example of

Shape

LineLineShapeShape FormFormSpaceSpaceTextureTextureValueValue ColorColor

•Form has depth as well as width and height.

•Three-dimensional form is the basis of sculpture, furniture, and decorative arts.

• Three-dimensional forms can be seen from more than one side

Example of Form

LineLineShapeShapeFormForm SpaceSpaceTextureTextureValueValue ColorColor

•Space in a work of art refers to a feeling of depth or three dimensions. It can also refer to the artist's use of the area within the picture plane.

•The area around the primary objects in a work of art is known as negative space, while the space occupied by the primary objects is known as positive space.

Example of

Space

LineLineShapeShapeFormFormSpaceSpace TextureTextureColorColorValueValue

•The surface quality of an object that we sense through touch. All objects have a physical texture. Artists can also convey texture visually in two dimensions.

•In a two-dimensional work of art, texture gives a visual sense of how an object depicted would feel in real life if touched: hard, soft, rough, smooth, hairy, leathery, sharp, etc.

• In three-dimensional works, artists use actual texture to add a tactile quality to the work.

Example of

Texture

LineLineShapeShapeFormFormSpaceSpaceTextureTexture ColorColorValueValue

Color is light reflected off objects. Color has three main characteristics: hue (red, green, blue, etc.), value (how light or dark it is), and intensity (how bright or dull it is). Colors can be described as warm (red, yellow) or cool (blue, gray), depending on which end of the color spectrum they fall.

Example of Color

LineLineShapeShapeFormFormSpaceSpaceTextureTexture ColorColor ValueValue

•Value describes the brightness of color. Artists use color value to create different moods. Dark colors in a composition suggest a lack of light, as in a night or interior scene. Dark colors can often convey a sense of mystery or foreboding.

•Light colors often describe a light source or light reflected within the composition. In this painting, the dark colors suggest a night or interior scene. The artist used light colors to describe the light created by the candle flame.

Example of Value

Principles of ArtCombining Elements and Creativity

to Make a Masterpiece

RhythmRhythm Movement Movement BalanceBalance ProportionProportion VarietyVariety EmphasisEmphasis HarmonyHarmony UnityUnity

•Rhythm is a type of movement in drawing and painting. It is seen in repeating of shapes and colors. Alternating lights and darks also give a sense of rhythm.  

Example of

Rhythm

RhythmRhythmMovementMovement BalanceBalance ProportionProportion VarietyVariety EmphasisEmphasis HarmonyHarmony UnityUnity

•Movement adds excitement to your work by showing action and directing the viewers eye throughout the picture plane•Movement shows actions, or alternatively, the path the viewer's eye follows throughout an artwork.

•Movement is caused by using elements under the rules of the principles in picture to give the feeling of action and to guide the viewer's eyes throughout the artwork

Example of

Movement

RhythmRhythm Movement Movement BalanceBalance ProportionProportion VarietyVariety EmphasisEmphasis HarmonyHarmony UnityUnity

•Balance is arranging elements so that no one part of a work overpowers, or seems heavier than any other part.• The three different kinds of balance are

•Symmetrical (or formal) balance is when both sides of an artwork, if split down the middle, appear to be the same. The human body is an example of symmetrical balance. •The asymmetrical balance is the balance that does not weigh equally on both sides. •Radial balance is equal in length from the middle. An example is the sun

Example of

Symmetrical

Balance

Example of

Asymmetrical

Balance

Example of

Radial Balance

RhythmRhythm Movement Movement BalanceBalanceProportionProportion VarietyVariety EmphasisEmphasis HarmonyHarmony UnityUnity

•Proportion    or scale refers to the relationships of the size of objects in a body of work. Proportions gives a sense of size seen as a relationship of objects. such as smallness or largeness

Example of

Proportion

RhythmRhythm Movement Movement BalanceBalance ProportionProportionVarietyVariety EmphasisEmphasis HarmonyHarmony UnityUnity

•Variety refers to the differences in the work,

•You can achieve variety by using difference shapes, textures, colors and values in your work.

Example of

Variety

RhythmRhythm Movement Movement BalanceBalance ProportionProportion VarietyVarietyEmphasisEmphasis HarmonyHarmony UnityUnity

•Emphasis in a composition refers to developing points of interest to pull the viewer's eye to important parts of the body of the work

Example of

Emphasis

RhythmRhythm Movement Movement BalanceBalance ProportionProportion VarietyVariety EmphasisEmphasisHarmonyHarmony UnityUnity

•Harmony is achieved in a body of work by using similar elements throughout the work, harmony gives an uncomplicated look to your work.

Example of

Harmony

RhythmRhythm Movement Movement BalanceBalance ProportionProportion VarietyVariety EmphasisEmphasis HarmonyHarmonyUnityUnity

•  Unity is seen in a painting or drawing when all the parts equal a whole. Your work should not appear disjointed or confusing.

Example of Unity

Questions?

Now complete the following question:What Principle fits best with the pieces

given?

Work CitedDefinitions:• http://www.getty.edu/education/teachers/bu

ilding_lessons/elements.html#color

• http://www.msdsteuben.k12.in.us/jrider/elements_and_principles_of_art.htm

Images:• Personal artwork…(not to be reproduced)