Elements of Art & Principles of Design

Girard Middle SchoolMs. V. Smith

Line

An element of art that refers to the continuous mark made on some surface by a moving point (pen,

pencil, etc.).

Shape

An element of art referring to a two-dimensional area clearly set off by one or more of the other visual elements such as color,

value, line, texture, and space.

ColorAn element of art made up of three

distinct qualities: hue, the color name, e.g., red, yellow, blue;

intensity, the purity and brightness of a color e.g., bright red or dull red; and value, the lightness or

darkness of a color.

Value

An element of art that describes the lightness or darkness of a hue.

Form

An element of art, it describes an object with three-dimensions.

Texture

The element of art that refers to the way things feel, or look as if

they might feel if touched.

Space

An element of art referring to the distance or area between, around,

above, below, or within things.

Balance

A principle of design, it refers to a way of combining art elements to create a feeling of equilibrium or stability in a

work.

Contrast

Closely related to emphasis, a principle of design, this term refers to a way of combining art elements to stress the differences between

those elements.

Emphasis

A principle of design, it refers to a way of combining elements to stress the differences between

those elements.

Movement

A principle of design used to create the look and feeling of action and to guide

the viewer’s eye throughout the work of art.

Pattern

A principle of design which serves to decorate surfaces with planned

repeated units.

Rhythm

A principle of design, it refers to the careful placement of repeated

elements in a work of art to cause a visual tempo or beat.

Unity

The look and feel of wholeness or oneness in a work of art.