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The Elements and Principles of Design

The Language of Art:

Shape

Line

Space

Proportion

Rhythm and

Movement

Balance

Value

Color

Emphasis

Texture

Unity

Definition: Line is an element of art which refers to the continuous mark made on a surface by a moving point to define a space where its length

dominates its width.

Line

There are many different types of lines.

Sharp/jagged Soft Curvy Straight Feathery Rough

Element #1

This rope has a

curvy line quality in

it

There are lines all around us, look around!

Lines in a curvy road

Straight, tall lines in the city

The most important ones are horizontal, vertical, and diagonal.

Each of these implies a certain mood or feeling.

Horizontal=

Wide, calm, deserted

Vertical=

Tall, menacing Diagonal=action

Horizontal

Ve

rtic

al

Shape Definition: Shape is a closed form made out of lines. Shapes can be in the form of squares, circles, triangles, rectangles, and ovals.

Element #2

Things in nature are made up of shapes

like this fruit Round shape

Spikey

shape moon shape

You may also recognize shape used in artwork:

Helen Ward’s Fox Story

M.C. Escher Paul Klee

You can also use shape for your illustration!

Value Definition: Value is the lightness or darkness of something, which can create depth and contrast.

Element #3

Color Definition: Color is the element of art that is produced when light, striking an object, is reflected back to the eye.

Three Properties of Color

Hue: The name we give to a color Intensity:

How bright or dull a color is.

Value: Lightness or darkness. (To add white or black )

Element #4

Hue: The name we give to a color

Tip: Color wheels are a “map” for using color

Property of Color

Intensity (of color)

Piet Mondrian Had a dull Color Scheme in this painting. Fauvist Painters usually use bright colors.

Property of Color

Value of Color Property of Color

Tint: color mixed with white

Shade: Color mixed with black

Space

Outer space is not the same as

artistic space, but it still has a lot of

dimension.

Element #5

Definition: Space is The designed and structured surface of two-dimensional surface to create the illusion

of depth.

Here, space is created by the changing size of the objects.

David Weisner

More ways to create the illusion of space in art !

Here, Laura Numeroff used

perspective and overlap to create

space

Bird Baylor creates space

by making objects clear in

the front and fuzzy in the

back. This is called

atmospheric perspective.

Texture Definition: Texture is the surface quality or feel of

an object, its smoothness roughness, etc. Actual textures can be felt with the fingers while simulated textures are created by the artists to look like the surface has the specific texture.

Simulated Texture (snail illustration) Actual Texture (tree bark)

Element #6

Check out the different ways artists can use texture!

Van Gogh's paint strokes create

a texture on the canvas

Collage is one way

to create texture

like illustrator Jon

Sciezscka does.

This artist created

texture with words on

top of the face.

Balance Definition: Balance is the way the elements of art are arranged to create a feeling of stability in a work; a pleasing or harmonious arrangement or proportion of parts or areas in a design or composition.

Principle #1

SYMMETRICAL RADIAL

Three Types of Balance

ASSYMETRICAL

"I find sometimes I may want to end up with subtlety, but I have to start out boldly. I think you have to exaggerate to get it across. . . . All I can say is that you have to lean over a little to the left, and overdo it a bit, and then come back into balance, that ever-important balance.“- Andrew Wyeth (1917-), American realist painter.

Balance

The mirror image from one side to another. (Can be split down the middle and have

two identical sides.)

SYMMETRICAL

Diego Rivera- Flower Day Van Eyck- The Arnolfini Wedding

Balance

Not equal from one side to another. (Different on each side.)

Mariam Sharipo- Delaunay

Balance RADIAL

Radial Balance: Occurs when the elements of design come out/radiate from a central point.

Like a pinwheel! Buddhists create Mandala (circle) art with sand to show patience.

Proportion Proportion Definition: Proportion refers to the harmonious relationship of one part to another or to the whole with respect to size and ratio. You can measure and compare parts to create correct proportion.

Rhythm

Definition: When the regular repetition of particular forms or elements occurs in a work of art, that work is said to have rhythm. It suggests motion.

Piet Mondrian- Broadway Boggie Woogie Repeating shapes in this fence

photograph create rhythm

Rhythm (Con’d)

How does Jackson Pollock create rhythm in his artwork?

Rhythm (Con’d)

Repetition of colors

Repetition of curvy lines (splatters)

Movement

Emphasis

Unity

Variety Using different types of art elements in a picture to create

more diversity and interest.

Variety makes life more interesting too!

These artists use a variety of elements

to create interest in their art.

Jacob Lawrence-shape, color,

and theme

Barron Storrey- line and shape

Kandinsky-line, shape, color

Composition

The plan, placement or arrangement of the elements of art .

Much like a music composer, artists can create the effects they want by

planning their composition.