CHAPTER

UNIT-I:
FUNDAMENTALS OF PAINTING
1 THE ELEMENTSOF ART
Any artwork begins with a
brush. First thing that appears is sketch or ascribble with a
a dot that becomes a line, andbasic tool, be it a pencil, pen or a
that can be recognised as an then this line starts taking a form
object,
the clements of art at play. They are a figure, a flower and so on. All this activity is
to understand them in technique and the blocks that build up the whole composition. It isnothing but
of the skill but also in words to master the skill. They not only help in important
appreciating art. Let us try and understand them: better learning
1. POINT
Point-a dot, is the first and simplest element of art. It
can still act as a focus of a visual. has very small
When several points are combined existence in space but
more and more effective as they start paving a
path that
together, they become
finally forms a line.
2. LINE
Line is a dot that went for a walk"
-Paul Klee
Aline is a path that a point takes
from
of art taking shape. For any surface we oneaplace to another through space. Line is the beginning
line is drawn from one point to another, put mark and start drawing all kinds of lines. When a
it becomes a line
The line has direction as well as
position. Whether
drawing/sketch which has a meaning.
along with it. straight or curved it tends to draw our eyes

diagonal
thick thin
straight wavy

vertical

dashed dotted
V
zigzag spiral
horizontal

NANROKOIASIATEENONL
 thin, dotted,vertical, horizontal.,
Lines are of many types. They can be bold,
straight, wavy, zigzag etc. curved, diagon:
Lines create a variety of visual effects and emotions. Some of them are as follows :
1. Thin line has sharpness and finesse.
2. Bold line shows emphasis and draws attention towards itself
3. Vertical line shows height, aspiration, dignity and strength.
4. Horizontal line expresses repose, calmness, peace, balance and stability.
5. Diagonal line gives a sense of movement and restlessness.
6. Conical lines look clashing, agitated and stiff.
7. Radial lines have grace and centrality.
8. Spiral lines have an engaging motion, mystery and psychedelic effect.
3. SHAPE AND FORM
Shape is two-dimensional with height and width. It can be geometrical or natural/orean
Form is three-dimensional with height, width and depth.
Or in other words form is a shape of volume and mass.
A triangle is a shape and a cone is a form because it has
volume as well as mass. Similarly a circle is a shape and
a sphere is a form.
Form can be Symmetrical or Asymmetrical/Organic.
In Symmetrical form, one half is the same as the other Shape Fom

half, or both are identical to each other. For example sphere, cube, equilateral triangle, sQr
rectangle, cone etc. Whereas, in Asymmetrical form, one half is different from the other l
For example all the polygons and many natural forms. Formscan also be free flowing.
As is the case in Line, All forms too have different effects. Rectangular form gives aniillusi
of strength, unity and stability whereas Triangular form shows development in its ppirnnacle.O
form has grace and charm, and at the same time Circular form has sense of Fullness, motlva
equality and completeness.
ol
4. COLOUR
Colour is a property possessed by an object to withthehelpol
produce
reflection of light. Every surface has its own quality differentor sensations
to reflect absorb light eitherlessre
more.

Types of Colours
On the basis of purity and mixture of colours, we can broadly divide them intothreetypesOn
1. Primary Colours: Primary colours are those which cannot be obtained bymixing!
 wo colours. They are pure and are found in
nature as it is. The primary colours are Blue, Red Tertiary
Colors
nd Yellow (Inner circle of the colour wheel).
2. Secondary Colours : The colours Secondary
Colors
obuined by mixing two primary colours are called
secondary colours. Secondary colours are also
three violet, green and orange (Middle circle of Primary
Colors
the colour wheel).
e.g., Red + Blue = Violet
Blue + Yellow Green
Red + Yellow =
Orange
3. Tertiary Colours : When we mix one
primary and one secondary colour we get a tertiary
colour(Outer most circle of the colour wheel).
e.g., (a) Violet + Blue Indigo COLOUR WHEEL
(b) Orange + Red Saffron
(c) Yellow + Orange = Golden Yellow or Deep Yellow and so on

Futher Classification
Colours can also be classified as follows :
1. Analogous colours : These are the colours of one category or we can say shades of a
colour such as yellow, orange, lemon yellow, cadmium yellow, Naples's yellow, yellow ochre etc.
2. Complimentary or opposite colours : The secondary colour obtained by mixing two
primary colours is also opposite or complimentary to the third :
Blue Yellow Green, which is opposite to Red
Similarly, Red Yellow Orange, which is opposite to Blue
Blue + Red Violet, which is opposite to Yellow
3. Warm and cool colours: The colours which give the illusion of heat or have maximum
wave length are called warm colours. There are two warm colours--Red and Yellow.
The colours which give the effect of coolness or have minimum wavelength are called cool
colours. These are two i.e. Blue and Green.
4. Neutral colours : The colours which are neither strong or bright nor have any hot or
cold effect are called neutralcolours. These are Black, white and shades of brown and gray.
Properties of Colour
There are three main properties of a color :
1. Hue : Hue means a true color e.g. Red, yellow and violet are hues.
2. Value : It is the degree of lightness or darkness of a color. In other words Tints and
Tones of a color. Adding white to a color lightens it and creates a tint while adding black to a
color darkens it and creates a tone.
Red + White = Pink (Tint)
Red + Black = Maroon (Tone)
3. Intensity : It is the strength of a
color-brightness or dullness of a
a bright color whereas Olive green is a dull color. color e.g. Mage
5. TEXTURE
Texture is the surface quality of materials, either visual or tactile. It is the
of an object actually feels. Examples of this include sandpaper, cotton balls, treeway the sur
cane basket, rubber tyres, brick and stone walls, etc. Following are a few bark, lea
around us: textures that we

Rocks Bricks Wood

help of color
In a painting texture is shown by an artist's skill and expertise with the The
strokes. The texture may be rough, fizzy, grity, but cannot actually be felt. texture of
fall of a dran
calm or animated, the texture of leaves and bark, the texture of the smooth
still life are all mastered by showing the details in a texture.
6. SPACE
Forms, to be seen clearly, need space around them to create a sense of edge that der
their shape. Space is a working area within which we compose a picture. If no space Wa
between two printed lines of a page, we would feel strain on our eyes. Space is essei
divided into Positive s
space around the page gives emphasis to the text. Technically it is
and Negative space. Positive space refers to the space of a shape representing i
matter. Negative space refers to the space around and between the subject matter. woul
We
Imagine a room where there is no space left for us to walk. In such a room negative
as if we are imprisoned. The utility of the room depends on the empty space ie. the
the beh
One kind of space which we must also know lies between the work of art and marvel
a
Such aspace is called an aesthetic distance. Take the example of the Taj Mahal, building
and architecture. When we enter the gate we see a huge garden before the white
as aes
gap between the gate and the main building explains the importance of the spacecalled building
distance. The visual appeal would be lost if no space was left in front of this huge
The study of these elements of art helps that the desired
in using themjudiciously so our aesthetic
can be achieved. The knowledge of these elements also helps in
and ability to appreciate art.
polishing
 CHAPTER

2 PRINCIPLES OF ART

*SHADANGA-SIX LIMBS (CANONS] OF ART

In 1" century BC India, Sage
Vatsyayana gave the following principles of art:
"Roopabhedah pramanani bhava-lavanya-yojanam I
Sadrishyam varnakabhangamn iti chitram shadakam ||"
Rupa Bheda The knowledge of form and
Pramanam appearance.
Correct measurement and structure
Bhava [Proportion).
Expression of feelings in the forms.
Lavanya Yojanam Artistic representation or infusion of grace or outer
beauty.
Sadrisyam Similitude, Resemblance or Actuality.
Varnika Bhanga Artistic manner of using art material such as brushes,
pencil etc. How the completed artwork is to be colours,
hanged at framed and
proper place.
The principles of art are used to organize the
artist, art student and a person who can appreciateelements of art to make a composition. Every
art already has a basic understanding of the
principles of art. An art work is complete only when the principles of art are successfully
executed.
The following are the principles of art:
1. BALANCE
Balance is the arrangement of art elements (line,
produce visual symmetry in a composition. The visual form, shape, colour, space, texture) to
justified otherwise there is a discomfort in the visualweight and stability should be steady and
three main types: appeal. Balance can be classified into
(i) Formal or Symmetrical balance : It is
achieved by the artist, placing objects in the
work in an equal-sided arrangement, almost
like a mirror-image.
(üi) Informal or Asymmetrical
balance : It is achieved by the artist, placing objects in
the work in slightly uneven or unequal
size or any otherelement.
arrangement. The difference can be of shape,
Not in Syllabus
 (iüi) Radial balance : It occurs within a circle where
The figure given below shows all three :
drawing extends from
he
cet

() (ii)
(ii)
2. EMPHASIS/DOMINANCE
Dominance/Emphasis is the stress or insistence on one part over
tothat part in a composition. Emphasis refers to the created center of
another to
the place where your eye first lands. It occurs when the artist interest draw
of a ate
elements of art so that attention is drawn to a particular area. In the and focal.
manipulates
has used space and color contrasts to create the desired emphasis. fol owing picturearsatge
he

3. RHYTHM /MOVEMENT
Rhythm or movement refers to the
It is the repetition of art suggestion of motion through the use of
elements provide a progressive and
to various ele
an art work,
consciously or sub-consciously our eyes move related movement. Whea
repetition or reoccurrence of a design in a rhythm. Generally ap
visual beat. Inthe element is used to create
following images the repetition of colour rhythm which establis
and pattern is creating avisual

6
PROPORTION
Pronortion is the size of parts in relation to a whole
to one another. Our eyes and nose in relation to our
ee and also our face in relation to our whole body has
he drawn in correct proportion. In a landscape,
vervthing is made in proper proportion and perspective
pbtain a sense of real1sm. The size of the following animals in proportion to each
other is
ery important while sketching them together.
VARIETY
Variety means the use of various elements to make
ne art work more interesting. Variety of colors, variety
fforms, textures, etc. is what makes art attractive.
at the same time too much of it can be very messy.
herefore it has to be used in a balanced and harmonious
nanner. The following pictures shows an interesting
ariety of patterns in harmony.
HARMONY/UNITY
Paul Cezanne (an artist from post impressionism) stated,
"When
armony appears by itself. The more numerous and varied they are,paintings are done right,
the more the effect is
bained and agreeable to the eye".
Unity is achieved when the components of a work of art are
iVing the work a sense of completion. In a good work of perceived as harmonious,
art, all aspects create a sort of
armony. Harmony is achieved in any work by using similar or related
ork. Harmony gives an uncomplicated look to a piece of art. elements throughout the
ature can be taken here as example. All masterpieces and beauty of
All these principles studied above must become a part
of your vocabulary while you
rt or when you talk or write about art.
From now on, whenever you see an art work, youcreate
o just say "Nice" but should also speak about the must
rt piece. elements and principles that you like in the
 POSTER COLOURS
Paints are classified on the basis of binderrand other additives
used to
LThis binder also decides what the solvent will be-water or oile
ster paint is adecorative and inexpensi pant that iS mostly used for
the colo hoold
The binder is gum-watergum arabic or glud comes in bottles and jar
powderedform which can be mixed in water to form a required is also
consistency
OPoster colours are highly gpaque, vibrant and dense buL also fade in lioh elore ave
nohly ginded which esule in their opacity and densit
Nhey look he pig
well as coloured paperLight colaur can be used overa dark colour too good
be corrected to alarge extent. To0 much layering and mixing of too therefore
equally
and should therefore be avoided. TEMAERA VS PosTeR many colours Can
sometimes, Poster paints are also called a form of empera colour R
ok
longer history than poster paints. They were used in the form of egg
was mixed as a binder. Their finish is more matte than poster colours. tempera in whiche
4. WATER COLOURS
As the name suggests, water colours are water soluble and are used
consistency to create different tonesn these, pigment is held ina water with water in
Arabig hey come in cakes and tubes and are not very expensiye. soluble binder e
than artist quality watercolours. Student quality is c
is atransparent and a luminous medium
and develop deep tones by building up many which has a unique ability to form delice
finely ground pigments that are used in making different layers of coloursaThis ability isam
them. These pigment
Lhe paper to create asmooth wash
which allows the papg# to show particles
from
spread eg
colours also change effect and lighter after dryinThe unpredictableunderneaS
colours creates beautiful effects become
and because of this very nature they nature oi
difficult medium to master.n are also considers
(7) While using water colours, the
easiest method is to follow the Principle of light e
According to this principle, the light colours
avoided for the rest of the painting. Maskingmust bejsapplied before dark colours andthen
applied to the white or light areas that fluid a very effective tool in this
need to be preserved and reganu
(0) Eine hair removed later as and when te
bnishes,are used to
water colour paper only, as this paint with water colours. These colours give best resulb
geting peeled off from the paper has maximum capacity to endure multiple washes
covering in aframe in case ofsurface. Paintings done with water colours need a glass or a
an effective
Water colour pencils are
effects. damp brush applied also used
preservation for a long period.
A widely which are more convenient and Create e
water colours. after rubbing them on paper
spreads the colour justliketheon
Water colour inks also
a
concentrated called(iquid water
are very vibrant and liquid in them. They can colours jare also very popular. They c comeinb
give great results. be used after further or as they
diluting
14
 (6)Sculpture
NAME : LION CAPITALFROM SARNATH
TITLE
MEDIUM : STONE
MEDIUM
PERIOD : CIRCA 250B.C.E PERIOD
DYNASTY : MAURYAS-ASHOKA DYNASTY
COURTESY : SARNATHARCHAEOLOGICALMUSEUM. UP LOCATIO
DESCRIPTION DESCRIP
The Sarnath lion capital, sculpted on a Nataraj' m
monolithicPillar was erected at the Deer Park in ncers. The
Sarnath, the outskirts of Varanasi. Here Buddha ith four hand
had preached his first sermon and set the wheel ur directions
oflaw in motion-Dharma Chakra Pravartana. hd south. Su
Ircle of f1
The capital, made of polished sandstone is presents the
more than twometers (7ft) in height. It comprises ndless cycle
of four roaring lions placed back to back ne flame is
on a
round slab called abacus. The abacus is ear palm
by a bell supported estruction v
shaped-inverted-lotus
of the abacus are carved four
base. On the side estruction o
elephant, bull and horse moving animals-lion,
in a clockwise
Tm across
manner. These animals carved with great ointing do
alternate with four smaller skill nudra tow
wheels of law. The four lionsdharmachakras or praised le
stylized with very little hint ofon top are highly ramples a
mane of the lions is carved as naturalness. The lwarf Apas
bunches of hair. The animals onlittletheflame shaped gnorance.

energetic and are defined carefully. Petalsabacus look Siva's

lotus are rhythmically carved. of the raised in al
these pillars has a mirror like The surface of not" gestu
finish. right rear
dumroo
beat of
represent
around h
wavy ray
symboli
kunde

34 N