READING

VISUAL ARTS
Chapter 4:
Visual Design Elements
and Principles of Art
ELEMENTS OF ART
It is the stylistic features that are include within
the art piece to help the artist communicate. The
elements of art are components or parts of a work
that can be isolated and defined. They are building
blocks used by artist to create a work of art.
When analyzing these intentionally utilized elements,
the viewer is guided towards a deeper understanding
of the work.
The seven most common elements include line,
shape, texture, form, space, color and value.
Line- a line is an identifiable
path created by a point moving
in space. It is one dimensional
and can vary in width,
directions, and length. Lines
often define the edges of a
form. Lines can be horizontal,
vertical, or diagonal, straight or
curved, thick or thin. They lead
your eye around the
composition and can
communicate information
through their character and
direction.
 LINE
Horizontal lines suggest a feeling of rest or response
because object parallel to the earth are at rest. Horizontal
lines also help give a sense of space.
Vertical lines often communicate a sense of height
because they are perpendicular to the earth, extending
upwards towards the sky.
Diagonal lines convey feelings of movement object in
diagonal position are unstable. Because they are either about
to fall or are already in motion.
Curve lines can convey energy. Soft, shallow curves recall
the curves of the human body and often have a pleasing,
sensual quality and a softening effect on the composition
 SHAPE & FORM
Shape is a close line. Shape
can be geometric, like squares
and circles; or organic like
free-form or natural shape.

Form are often used when

referring to physical works of
art, like sculptures, as form is
connected most closely with
three dimensional works.
 Geometric shapes and
forms includes mathematical,
named shapes such as squares,
rectangles, circles, cubes,
spheres and cones, geometric
shapes and forms are often man-
made. However, many natural
forms also have geometric
shapes.
Organic shapes and forms
are typically irregular or
asymmetric. Organic shapes are
often found in nature but man-
made shapes can also imitate
organic forms.
 SPACE
Real space is three-
dimensional.
Space in a work of
art refers to a feeling
of depth or three-
dimensions. It can
also refer to the
artist’s used of the
area with the picture
plane
Elements of Art : SPACE
 *The area around the primary objects in a work
of art is known as negative space, while the space
occupied by primary objects is known as positive
space.
*Positive and negative space, the relationship of
positive to negative space can greatly affect the
impact of a work of art. The space around objects is
often called negative space; negative space has shape
*Three-dimensional space the perfect illusion of
three-dimensional space in a two-dimensional work of
art is something that many artist’s, such as Pieter
Saenredam, labored to achieve.
 COLOR it is an
element consisting of
hues, of which there
are three properties;
hue, chroma or
intensity, and value.
Color is present when
light strikes an object
and it is reflected back
into the eye, a
reaction to a hue
arising in the optic
nerve. Color has three
main characters.
 3 Properties of Color:
Hue which is the distinguishable color, like red, blue,
green or yellow.
Value describes the darkness of color. Artist use color
value or create different moods. Dark colors in a composition
suggest a lack of light, as in a night or interior scene. Dark
color can often convey a sense of mystery or foreboding.
Light color often described a light source or light reflected
within the composition.
Intensity describes the purity or strength of a color.
Bright colors are undiluted and are often associated with
positive energy heightened emotions. Dull color has been
diluted by mixing with other colors and creates a sedate or
serious mood.
TEXTURE
Texture - is used to describe the surface quality of
the work, referencing the type of lines the artist
created.
The quality of an object that we series through
touch. It can be tactile (real) or strictly visual
(implied). In two-dimensional work of art, texture
gives a visual sense of how an object depicted would
feel in real life if touched: hard, soft, rough, smooth,
hairy, leathery, sharp etc. in the three-dimensional
works, artist used actual texture to add a tactile quality
to the work.
 VALUE
Value defines how
light or dark a given
color or hue can be.
Values are best
understood when
visualized as a scale
or gradient, from dark
to light. The more
tonal variants in an
image, the lower the
contrast.
PRINCIPLES OF ART
The principles of design are essentially a set
of criteria which are used to explain how the
visual elements are arranged in a work of art.
These principles are possibly the closest
thing we have to a set of objective criteria for
analyzing and judging art.
PRINCIPLES OF ART
1. Balance
2. Emphasis
3. Movement
4. Rhythm
5. Pattern
6. Proportion
7. Variety
8. Unity
 BALANCE- it is a distribution of visual weight of
objects, colors, texture and space. If the design was a
scale, these elements should be balanced to make the
design feel stable.
*Symmetrical Balance - conveys a sense of stability.
The elements used on one side of the design are similar to
those on the other side.
*Asymmetrical Balance - often conveys sense of
movement since the elements of the composition are
unbalance. The sides are different but still look balanced.
*Radial Balance- the elements are arranged around
the central point or may be similar. The parts of pattern of
the design seem to move outward from the center.
 EMPHASIS
Is the part of the design that catches the viewer’s
attention. Usually the artist will make one area
standout by contrasting it with other areas. The area
could be different in size, color, texture, shape, etc.
Dominance it is manner of creating one element
in an artwork as the strongest or most important
part.
Focal point (Center of Interest) is the process
that makes the element stand out from the pictorial
field.
 MOVEMENT- is
a path the viewer’s
eye takes through
the work of art,
often to focal areas.
Such movement can
be directed along
lines, edges shape
and color within the
work of art.
 RHYTHM- is
created when one or
more elements of
design are used
repeatedly to create
a feeling of organized
movement. Rhythm
creates a mood like
music or dancing. To
keep rhythm exciting
and active, variety is
essential.
 Types of Rhythm:
One-best Rhythm -repeatedly drawn from one another in
similar size with various warm color on an oversized ground (mural
size) exemplifies rhythm in a simple way or one-beat rhythm.
Alternating Rhythm -two geometric shapes painted or drawn
on alternating manner manifest alternating rhythm, like series of
square-triangle alternating each other in different size and position.
Progressive Rhythm -the repeated element is manifested in a
consistent change. Size can be good example wherein a series of
stars slightly larger than the other is shown.
Flowing Rhythm -is observed as a composition of repeated
element in a graceful movement. The manner of changes still
include the sense of consistency but distinct on a gradual
movement, like a flowing liquid above different strength of currents.
 PATTERN - is
the repeating of
an object or
symbol all over the
work of art.
Elements that are
in repeatedly used
like line, color,
shape, and texture
creates pattern.
 PROPORTION-
is the feeling of unity
created when all parts
(size, amount or number)
relate well with each
other. When drawing the
human figure, proportion
can refer to the size of
the head compared to the
rest of the body.
Proportion is identified as
normal and expected.
 VARIETY
Variety but leading to unity- is the used of
several elements of design to hold the viewer’s
attention and to guide the viewer’s eye through
the work of art.
Variety is employed in a work of art using
opposing or contrasting elements in achieving
visual interest; stimulating movement as often
observed in life the “contrast” may be subtle or
obvious but leading to unity.
 UNITY- is the feeling of harmony between all parts of
the works of art, which creates a sense of completeness. The
sense of feeling that everything that fits together.
Repetition method of the elements like shape, color, line,
etc. it achieves unity in art by way of consistent repetition.
Through simplicity a single major color, type of shape or
an appropriate visual element can be utilized to unify a work.
Harmony is an approach where the visual elements are
related, and may include medium.
Theme and variation an artwork works around one major
element, say a round shape in appropriate size. The rest of
the shapes are similar with major one in variations,
complementing the former.
END