Study Guide Term 2

ART ELEMENTS:

• Line - Line has physical properties:

o Measurement - long, short, thick, thin, ...

o Direction - horizontal, diagonal, curved, ... o Location - edge, surface, sketch, link, ..

o Character - mechanical, controlled, soft, hard, winding, wild, nervous, light, dark, precise, organic, sensitive…

Lines can be descriptive (describe the shape), expressive (evoke a feeling), static or dynamic (feeling of stability or
movement).

Lines that can be used together to create tone, texture, pattern, rhythm, space, or depth.

• Shape and Form

Shape is a two-dimensional area (flat) with a recognizable edge. Form is a three-dimensional shape. A form has
height, width, and depth. It also refers to the illusion of volume in a two-dimensional work. Two-dimensional shape
can be natural (organic) with irregular lines; or it can be man-made (inorganic / geometric) straight lines. A positive
form is the true form or object, while the negative form refers to the space or background that surrounds the
positive form.

• Colour

Colour is so familiar that most of us take it for granted. Colour theory:

o 3 Primary colours (red, yellow, blue) that cannot be made by mixing other colours.

o 3 Secondary colours (orange, purple, green). Each of these colours is made by mixing two primary colours. (Red
and yellow = orange / yellow and blue = green / red and blue = purple)

o 6 Intermediate colours (red-orange, yellow-orange, yellow-green, blue-green, blue-purple, red-purple). These

colours are between the primary and secondary colours on the colour wheel.

o Tints are colours mixed with white. Shades are colours mixed with black.

o Intensity of colour is related to the brightness or dullness of a colour. Colours can be grouped in different ways.

o Complementary - There are 3 pairs of complementary colours. (Red and green / yellow and purple / blue and
orange). These are always in pairs: one is a primary colour and the other is the secondary colour directly opposite
each other on the colour wheel. When placed next to each other, they illuminate each other.

o Monochromatic - a monochromatic painting uses variations of only one colour. Use a pure colour alone as well as
mixed with black and white.

o Colour has a psychological effect. Some colours can be described as warm e.g. red, orange, and yellow. These
colours seem to stand out in space. They create a sense of excitement. Cool colours are blue, green, and lemon
green. They appear to recede in a painting. They have a calming effect.

o Colours have symbolic meanings. This meaning may differ in different cultures. A colour usually has two opposite
meanings e.g. red is a symbol of danger or love.

• Tone

Tonal values refer to the degree of light and dark. Forms do not have outlines. They are defined by light - without
light we see no form. When drawing with tonal values, we must carefully observe how the light falls on a shape /
form. When we use tonal shades, we give shapes / forms a sense of three-dimensionality.

• Texture
Texture refers to the surface quality or feel of an object. In visual art, texture can be visual (seen) or tangible (felt).
We can see the surface texture of something by looking at it, or we can feel it, by touching it. The surface quality of
objects can be described in many ways such as: coarse, smooth, hairy, sticky, soft, hard, wet, sharp, blunt, shiny,
reflective, calm, wavy, pointed, wrinkled, flaky, bumpy, etc.

• Space

In a two-dimensional work of art, artists create a sense of three-dimensional space and depth using perspective. Line
perspective is based on the observation that parallel lines appear to meet on the horizon at one or more vanishing
points. Objects become smaller as they move further away. Aerial perspective (atmospheric perspective) is where
the atmosphere softens shapes and colours in the distance. When you are near a tree, you can see the individual
branches and leaves. At a distance, it all seems to be merging.

DESIGN PRINCIPLES:

• Pattern:

Anything can be used to create pattern. The rule is to repeat an object.

• Contrast:

It can be used to emphasise certain parts of an artwork. It refers to the visual differences of an artwork. You can
create contrast by colour (bright-dull), shape (organic-geometric), tone values (light-dark), texture (smooth-rough),
size (small-large), etc.

• Emphasis:

This can be the focal point of the artwork. It is an important part in the artwork. It is closely related to proportion,
scale, and perspective. Children tend to draw bigger things that are important to them.

• Balance:

Balance refers to the arrangement of art elements to create stability in an artwork. Visual balance is looked at.

Symmetrical balance:

this is where both sides are similar in visual weight and almost reflect each other. It often looks more rigid and
formal. Asymmetrical balance: this is where both sides are similar in visual weight, but not the same. This usually
creates more interesting compositions. Radial balance: This balance is not very common in art compositions, but it is
arranged like a sunflower with everything arranged around the centre.

• Proportion & Scale:

It is the relationship between different shapes by comparing each other in terms of shape, scale, and position.
Sometimes proportion is ignored, enlarged, or unrealistically portrayed. This is done to create certain effects and
make statements.

• Harmony & Unity:

This refers to the whole image that stems from the successful combination of the elements of an artwork. Everything
fits well together and forms a pleasant unit.

• Rhythm & Movement:

It refers to the ways in which art elements are combined to create the feeling of flow and movement in a work of
art. It is obtained through the repetition, alternation, or development of the elements.
 Elements of Art
https://youtu.be/HZPIbqDFLI8
Understanding the Elements of Art –
https://youtu.be/wQhuN1iR_9Q
ELEMENTS OF ART IN FAMOUS ARTWORKS –
https://youtu.be/Con-UORKeg4
7 Principles of Art and Design || narrated
step by step –
https://youtu.be/cD39UWKfhZE
The Principles of Design –
https://youtu.be/ZK86XQ1iFVs
Understanding the Principles of Design –
https://youtu.be/65WjYDEzi88

Elements of Art & Principles of Design Movie –

https://youtu.be/-R18bjGoU2k
How to Look at an Artwork –
https://youtu.be/AZoKElBwKCs
See Think Wonder | How to Look at Art – https://youtu.be/LjUx7nTKi8U
Who decides what art means? - Hayley Levitt –
https://youtu.be/HoXyw909Qu0
How to See Like an Artist | Scott Mallory | TEDxAbbotsford –
https://youtu.be/mqIMtpXKsEY
Why look at art? –
https://youtu.be/0OloYD_kSbU
Read and discuss the following artwork:
Use the questions below to guide you in exploring the art work:

Sunlight (Sonlig)

Original painting by Lisette Forsyth

Material used: Acrylic and ink on a page of the Cape Times dated 1923, Framed with glass

Size: W:57cm x L:76cm x D:3.5cm

• What is the media used in this art work?

• Briefly describe the scene in the painting.

• Describe any lines you see in the artwork.

• Describe the colours used in this artwork. (Is it bright, dead, etc.?)

• Discuss the tonal values and textures in this painting.

• Composition means how people, buildings and / or other elements are arranged within the space or format of a
painting. Describe it in your own words.

• What is the focus of the painting and how is it achieved?

• Is the painting ‘busy’, close / nearby or claustrophobic, or are there open spaces?

• Is there a sense of balance and / or rhythm in the work and how was it achieved?

• Is there depth in this work? Motivate your answer.

• How is the name of the artwork visually communicated?

• What do you think is the deeper message in this painting?

For some, the road to education lies between the thorns

(Vir sommige lê die weg na onderwys tussen die dorings)

Original painting by Peter Clarke

Material used: Linocut/print 28cm x 34.5 cm

Size: 28cm x 34.5 cm

• What is the media used in this art work?

• Briefly describe the scene in the painting.

• Describe any lines you see in the artwork.

• Describe the colours used in this artwork. (Is it bright, dead, etc.?)

• Discuss the tonal values and textures in this painting.

• Composition means how people, buildings and / or other elements are arranged within the space or format of a
painting. Describe it in your own words.

• What is the focus of the painting and how is it achieved?

• Is the painting ‘busy’, close / nearby or claustrophobic, or are there open spaces?

• Is there a sense of balance and / or rhythm in the work and how was it achieved?
• Is there depth in this work? Motivate your answer.

• How is the name of the artwork visually communicated?

• What do you think is the deeper message in this painting?

Know the definitions of the following:

4.1 symbolic language is the use of characters or images to represent concepts and
imagery to communicate meaning by displaying an accessible concept, the
signifier, to represent a signified concept.

4.2 An artist as a contributor: brings inspiration, joy and interaction to communities.

Artists also offer critiques of social, political and economic systems; this can
motivate others to become socially responsible and more involved in society.

4.3 "Social Commentary artists try their best to create artworks in order to convey
messages to the community." Due to the fact that the photos are of real life
situations, the contents can be perceived to be more confronting than other
visual forms of social commentary.

4.4 Popular Culture: a set of practices, beliefs, artistic output (also known as,
popular art or mass art) and objects that are dominant or prevalent in a society
at a given point in time

4.5 Craft denotes a form of work, involving the creation of physical objects, by the
use of hands and brain. Art relies on artistic merit whereas craft is based on
learned skills and technique. Art is well known for serving an aesthetic purpose.
Grade 8 only