Elements and PrinciplesThe ingredients of Art The recipe used to create Art

Elements

• The ingredients of Art. Most basic forms.

LineThe path left by a moving point. A continuous mark.

ColourThe colour wheel consists of primary, secondary and tertiary colours. Secondary colours are achieved by mixing three primary colours together. The colours of the colour wheel are called hues.

ToneIs the degree of lightness or darkness of aspects of an artwork, such as colour or light.

ShapeIs a two-dimensional area that can be drawn or cut. Shapes can be organic or geometric.

TextureTexture can be implied or real.

FormIs an element of art that is three-dimensional. It has height, width and depth and encloses space or volume.

Principles

The recipe to create Art. A way to arrange the elements

CompositionIs an arrangement or combination of the design elements.

BalanceThis may be symmetrical where elements are mirrored on opposite sides of the composition, or asymmetrical where the elements are not mirrored and the composition appears unbalanced

Symmetrical Asymmetrical

Balance

This may be symmetrical where

elements are mirrored on

opposite sides of the composition, or asymmetrical where

the elements are not mirrored and the composition

appears unbalanced.

Symmetrical balance

Asymmetrical balance

ContrastContrast should always be thought of in terms of creating tension between opposites: ie: large –small, light – dark, soft – hard

Focal PointIs the main area of interest in an artwork. The artist will arrange or use certain elements to draw the attention of the viewer. Artists can create focal points using certain techniques including contrast within a particular element, the size and placement of certain elements and by using line and rhythm to draw our attention.

UnityIs achieved in an artwork when all the elements work together to create a strong sense of connection with the artwork. The elements may all be used in a similar way, thus creating unity. An example of this is repetition. When elements are the same size and type are placed in a particular pattern they are said to be unified through repetition. Harmony within elements can also create a sense of unity, such as the harmonious colours in a work. Often when elements are repeated there will be an aspect that is different to create variety.

RhythmThe repetition of elements in an artwork creates a sense of rhythm. The repetition of art elements creates a pattern and encourages the viewer’s eye to move around the artwork. Rhythm is generally created by the ordered pattern of shapes, space and colour in the work.

SpaceWhen an artist arranges the art elements in the artwork, they create the artwork in space. In two-dimensional artworks, three dimensional space is given in an illusion or is created, In three-dimensional artworks the artist is working with three dimensional space. Often artists creating installation works are creating the artwork in a pre-existing space.

RhythmThe repetition of elements in an artwork creates a sense of rhythm. The repetition of art elements creates a pattern and encourages the viewer’s eye to move around the artwork. Rhythm is generally created by the ordered pattern of shapes, space and colour in the work.