Topic 4: The Elements and Principles of Art

Introduction

This topic discusses the elements and principles of art and design are essential components of
art and design used as a guide to creating works of art. Different forms of art share the use of the
same concept of elements and principles.

Learning Outcomes
At the end of the topic, you are expected to:
a. identify the elements and principles of art
b. determine elements and principles use in hybrid or modified art of expression
c. create an artwork depicting the various element and principle of art

Learning Content
Elements of Art
Are stylistics features that are included within an art piece to help the artist communicate.
The seven most common elements include lines, shape, texture, form, space, color and value
with the additions of mark making, materiality. When analyzing these intentionally an element,
the viewer is guided toward a deeper understanding of the work.
What are elements of Art?
Elements of Art
-are the components or part which can be isolated and defined in any visual design or work of
art. They structure and carry the work.
Types of Elements of Art:
1. Line
2. Shape
3. Color
4. Texture
5. Size
6. Space
7. Value
8.
Line - can be used for a wide range of purposes: stressing a word or phrase, connecting content
to one another, creating patterns, dividing up space and much more.
- Lines can create a sense of movement or direction in your design.
Shape- can be used to create a pattern, organize and divide space, and draw the viewer’s attention.

Categories of Shapes:

 Geometric Shapes- circles, squares, rectangles and triangles. We see them in architecture
and manufactured items.
 Organic Shapes- leaf, seashells, flowers. We see them in nature and with characteristics
that are free flowing, informal and irregular.
 Positive Shapes- In a drawing or painting positive shapes are the solid form in a design
such as a bowl of fruit. In a sculpture it is the form of the sculpture.
 Negative Shapes- In a drawing it is the space around the positive shape or the shape
around the bowl of fruit. In sculpture it is empty shape around and between the
sculptures.

 Static Shape- Shapes that appears stable and resting.

 Dynamic Shape- Shapes that appears moving and active.
 Colors- Is used to generate emotions, create unity, make something stand out, and generally
create visual interest.

Categories of Color
Color wheel a tool used to organize color. It is made up of:


Primary Colors- Red, Yellow, Blue these colors can be mixed, they must be bought in some form.
 Secondary Colors- Orange, Violet, Green, and these colors are created by mixing primaries.
 Tertiary/Intermediate Colors- Red Orange, Yellow Green, Blue Violet, etc.; mixing a primary
with a secondary creates these colors.
 Analogous Colors- The analog colors are those colors which lie on either side of any given color.
 Complementary Colors- are colors that are opposite to each other on the color wheel. When placed
next to each other they look bright and when mixed together they neutralize each other.
 Monochromatic- is where one color is used but in different values and intensity.
 Warm Colors- are on one side of the color wheel and they give the feeling of warmth for
example red, orange and yellow are the color of fire and feel warm.
 Cool Colors- are on the other side of the color wheel and they give the feeling of coolness for
example blue, violet are the color of water, green are the color of cool grass.

Texture- refers to what the surface of an object looks and “feels” like. In a graphic design, you
can mimic the look of different textures to add depth, contrast, and visual interest.

Categories of Texture:

  Real Texture- is the actual texture of

an object. Artist may create real texture in art it visual interest or evoke a feeling.
  Implied Texture—is where a piece of art is made to look like a certain texture. Like a
drawing of a free trunk may look rough but in fact it is just a smooth piece of paper.

Size- is how small or large something is. Interesting

choices regarding size can attract attention or define the importance of an element in the design.

Space- is the area around or between elements of the design. It can be used to separate or group
information. Used effectively it can lead the eye through a design.

 Positive Space: the space the subject takes up.

 Negative Space: the space surrounding the subject.

Value – is how light and dark an area looks. Use value to create depth and light, to lead the eye,
or to emphasize.
Principles of Design
The principles of good design are the tools every artist uses to create an effective composition.
These tools are: balance, contrast, emphasis, movement, proportion, repetition, simplicity, space
and unity. How well an artist understands the uses these tools will determine if the composition
is a weak or strong one. The desired outcomes should be a work of art that is both unified and
aesthetically pleasing to look at. In a series of discussions well take a look to each one of these
principle.
What is Principles of Design?
Principles of Design- are the artistic guidelines used to organize or arrange the structural
elements of design.
What are the Principles of Design?
Principles of Design
Balance- is the concept of visual equilibrium, and relates to our physical sense of balance.

Kinds of Balance

Asymmetrical Balance - it involves placement of objects in a way that will allow objects of
varying visual weight to balance one another around a central point.

Symmetrical balance – described as having equal weight on equal sides of a centrally placed
fulcrum.
Bilateral symmetry – when the elements are arranged equally o either side of central axis.

Radial Balance - this axis may be horizontal or vertical. It is also possible to build formal balance
by arranging elements equally around a central point

Rhythm- refers to a regular repetition of elements of art to produce the look and feel of
movement. It is often achieved through the careful placement of repeated components which
invite the viewers eyes to jump rapidly from one to another

Emphasis- creates focal point in the design composition; it is how we bring attention to what is
important in it.
Contrast- is simply defined as difference. Difference between elements or subject with a work
of art or composition.

Movement- is a visual flow of your design.

It’s the path that you intended your viewer’s eye to follow.

Harmony- is a visual design means all part of the visual image relate to and complements each
other.

Repetition- helps to create patterns. When you repeat the use of any design element, it is also
creates cohesiveness.
Unity- refers how well the elements of design work together. Visual elements should have clear
relationship with each other in a design.

Proportion- refers to the size of an object in relationship to another object.

Assessment Task
Art Activity (Elements and Principles of Design Matrix)
Instructions: Briefly create about how the elements and principles work together to create a
strong composition in this particular work.

Balance Movement Repetition Contrast Emphasis Pattern Unity

Line

Shape

Form
Color

Value

Texture

Space