Elements &

Principles

of Art

Elements of Art The elements are components or parts which can be isolated and defined in any visual design or

work of art. They are the structure of the work, and can

carry a wide variety of messages.

Line, Shape, Space, Colour, Form, Texture,

Value

The Elements are similar to ingredients

in a recipe

Line • Line is the path of a

moving point. Lines can

be vertical, horizontal,

diagonal, curved,

angular, zigzag, bent,

straight, interrupted,

thick, thin, parallel,

cross-hatched, or spiral.

Lines can be implied, an

outline showing the edge

of something.

Piet Mondrian

Shape • The two-dimensional

are enclosed by an

outline; height and

width. Shape can be

realistic, geometric,

abstract, idealized,

naturalistic,

nonrepresentational,

amorphous and

biomorphic.

Henri Matisse

Space • The distance or area

between, around above, below, and within things. Negative spaces surround positive shapes. Artist create the illusion of a background, foreground, and middle ground.

Space and Perspective in the

Renaissance • The vanishing point is above the head of Jesus and flat spaces look

like they are going into the distance

Colour • Hue

• Primary colours

• Secondary colour

• Tertiary colours

• Complementary colours

• Analogous colours

• Intensity

• Warm colours

• Color colours

• Neutrals

• Tone

• Tint

• Shade

• Monochromatic

• Achromatic

Complementary colours

Analogous colours

Pablo Picasso and the “Blue

Period”

Form • The three-

dimensional height,

width and depth.

Forms can be cubes,

spheres, pyramids,

and cylinders.

Flowing

asymmetrical forms

are free form or

organic.

Texture • Real or actual

texture

• Implied or simulated

texture: those that

can be felt painted or

drawn texture

• Texture can be slick,

smooth, rough,

velvety, satiny,

bumpy,…

Texture

Value • The lightness or

darkness of a colour

or the lightness or

darkness of grey.

• For example, black

has greater value

than grey and white

has lesser value than

grey.

Principles of Art Principles of Art are the different

ways the elements of art have been used in artwork. The

elements of art are organized by artist to create a composition.

Balance, Repetition, Emphasis, Proportion, Rhythm,

Movement, Variety, Unity

Similar to a recipe for creating art!

Balance • The equilibrium or

stability of various elements may be arranged formal (symmetrical) or elements may be arranged informal (asymmetrical). Radial symmetry arranges elements from a central point.

Symmetrical Balance

Asymmetrical Balance

Radial Balance

Repetition • An overall interplay

of repeated or

corresponding parts.

Repeat colours, shapes, textures,

lines etc.

Emphasis • The center of

interest or focal

point, which may be

the largest,

brightest, or lightest

subject.

Proportion • Refers to

relationships

- The part in relation

to the whole;

- How objects relate to

each other;

- The relation of the

object to the frame.

Magritte

Regular rhythm

Flowing rhythm

Progressive rhythm

Rhythm • Rhythm is the repetition or

alternation of elements, often with defined intervals between them. Rhythm can create a sense of movement, and can establish pattern and texture. Regular:

• A regular rhythm occurs when the intervals between the elements, and often the elements themselves, are similar in size or length.

• Flowing: A flowing rhythm gives a sense of movement, and is often more organic in nature.

• Progressive: A progressive rhythm shows a sequence of forms through a progression of steps.

Movement

• When the elements

are put together to

have the illusion of

movement and

action. It invites the

eye to go from one

area to the next.

Variety • The use of

different elements to draw attention to their differences. Too much causes chaos.

Unity • The harmony of all

the visual elements in a composition. The feeling of completeness or wholeness of a balance and organized composition of the elements and principles.

Elements &

Principles

of Art

Balance, Repetition, Emphasis, Proportion, Rhythm,

Movement, Variety, Unity

Line, Shape, Space, Color, Form, Texture,

Value

Using the magazines and Google

Images, find examples of the

Elements and Principles of Design

and mount them using professional

lettering for labels and titles. Don’t

forget to include a title page!