ELEMENTS OF ART
Line

An element of art that is the path of a moving point
through space.
Van Gogh – Thatched Cottage in Cordeville
What types of lines do you see? What do the lines do?
Piet Mondrian – Kompositsioon A
Describe the lines in this work. How are they different from the lines Van Gogh
used?
Shape

A defined two dimensional area. Has height and
width. May be geometric or free form.
Ellsworth Kelly – White Black
Shape is used in this work to make a striking statement. How do you think people
reacted to this sort of art when it was new?
Georgia O’Keefe
Describe how shape is used in the work of art.
Form

An object with three dimensions. Has height, width,
and depth. May be geometric or free form.
Richard Sweeney – Paper Sculpture
What kind of form would you describe this as? Geometrical or free form? Why?
Richard Deacon – Between Fiction and Fact
This sculpture uses a mixture of both Geometrical and Free Forms. Why do you
think the artist gave it this title?
Example 1
Notice the symmetry. This is a very complex form that uses repeated shapes to
create a three dimensional structure.
Example 2
This piece is quite different. Also symmetrical, there is a very fine balance that
allows it to be supported by one “foot” at the far end. What does this form
remind you of?
Example 3
This is a completely different approach. This artist had a definite form in mind
that is based on reality. You can see the roof lines, the staircases, door, and
windows of this Japanese Pagoda.
Example 4
Another sculpture intended to depict a form from everyday life. Aside from color,
this artist has used paper to depict a very life-like representation of this truck.
Texture

The element of art that refers to how things feel, or
look as if they might feel if touched.
Rough
Smooth
Matte
Shiny
Anselm Kiefer – The Unknown Painter
Concerning Texture, what do you think this painting would look like in person?
Why?
Space

The elements of arts that refers to the emptiness or
area between, around, above, below, or within
objects. Shapes and forms are defined by space
around and within them.
Vermeer – Girl with a Pearl Earring
How is space being used in this portrait?
Value

The element of art that describes the darkness or
lightness of an object.
Francisco de Goya – Saturn Devouring his Son
What do you notice about the value of the light in this painting? How does it help
set the mood or the work?
Color

An element of art that is derived from reflected
light. The sensation of color is aroused in the brain
by response of the eyes to different wavelengths of
light.
Color Terms
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Primary – Red, Yellow, Blue
Secondary – Orange, Green, Purple (Violet)
Intermediate (Tertiary) – Mixed colors of Primary and Secondary
Intensity – Hue is full intensity
Hue – Pure color
Shade – Pure + Black = Duller
Tint – Pure + White = Brighter
Primary
Secondary
Tertiary/Intermediate
Color Harmony
Analogous – colors next to each other on the
wheel
 Complementary – colors across the wheel

Analogous

Colors next to each other on the wheel
Complementary

Across the color wheel
Triadic

Triadic colors are high-energy colors that are found
by choosing three colors that are separated by 120
degrees on the color wheel. The primary (red, blue,
and yellow) and secondary (purple, orange, green)
colors are examples of triadic colors
Andy Warhol – Shot Orange Marilyn
How would you describe the use of color in this print?
Summary

Write a 2-3 sentence summary
Art Criticism
Look at the painting to the
right (The Old Guitarist by
Pablo Picasso). Think
about what you see
specifically the
subject/object, use of
elements of art, the
mood/meaning, and your
judgment of the work. As
a class we’ll discuss it
using the steps of art
criticism.