BASIC ELEMENTS OF ART: line, shape, form,
value, color & texture
 1. LINE: mark made with a moving pointed tool.
 There are five basic lines
 What do they transmit? or what words would
describe them?
 Vertical: static, inactive, stable, motionless,
dignity and formality
 Horizontal: calm, peaceful, tranquil, rest,
content and relaxed
 Diagonal: unstable, movement, active
 Zigzag: tension, crazy, chaotic

Curved: elegant, softness, movement





We also have:
Implied lines: series of points that the
viewer’s eyes automatically connect
Outline: Line that shows or creates the outer
edge of an object only
Contour lines: defines the edges and surface
ridges of an object
Calligraphy/Calligraphic lines: Calligraphy
means beautiful writing . Calligraphic lines are lines that
go from thick to thin in ONE stroke.

GESTURE LINES: expressive line, transmits a
mood or a feeling. Very little detail. Usually done
very quickly as well.
SHAPE

SHAPE: a two dimensional area that is defined
in some way ( you can tell what it is)
GEOMETRIC SHAPES: can be described using a
mathematical formula like a circle a square, a rectangle
& a triangle. You can combine these and create a
trapezoid a pentagon an octagon, an oval etc.
 FREE FORM: irregular and uneven forms, their outline
can be curved or angular.
 ORGANIC SHAPES: are often found nature, can
also be irregular and uneven, but can also be
symmetrical
 In art work, the shapes or forms themselves are called
Positive space/shape
 and the spaces or shapes around or in between an
object/subject are called negative shapes/space

Next element of art : FORM











FORM: is any object that has 3 dimensions ( length, width, and
depth)
In order to be able to represent a 3 dimensional object on a 2D
surface (paper), you must use changes in value (how dark or light it
is )
VALUE: how dark or light something is
Highlights are your brightest spots.
To create values we can use a variety of shading techniques.
SHADING: is the use of light and dark values to create the illusion of
form.
HATCHING: shading using small diagonal parallel lines all in the
same direction
CROSSHATCHING: shading using crisscrossing lines
BLENDING: artists blend by changing the value little by little ( using a
finger or a blending tool )
STIPPLING: values created by dot patterns, it is also referred to as
pointillism.
VALUE CHART: organized arrangement of values from dark to light
or light to dark.
PRINCIPLES OF ART
Rules that govern how artists organize the elements of art
VISUAL RHYTHM: created by repeating positive shapes, separated by negative
shapes/spaces. Indicates MOVEMENT by REPETITION
MOVEMENT: P of A to create the look and feeling of action, guides the viewer’s
eyes throughout the art piece.
PATTERN: Decorative and visual repetition
BALANCE: P of A that equalizes elements/forces/objects in art. Balanced work
looks like elements are arranged in a satisfying way, Imbalanced work looks like
elements should be re-arranged. ( formal/symmetrical, informal/asymmetrical and
radial )
PROPORTION: concerned with the size relationships of one part to another
VARIETY: differences, and contrasts, not everything is the same
EMPHASIS: P of A that makes one object/element more dominant over another
HARMONY: Creates unity by stressing the similarities of separate but related
parts
UNITY: The quality of wholeness or “oneness” that is achieved through the
effective use of elements and principles of art.
CONTRAST: ability to create a focal point by using differences in the elements of
art
COLOR( intro to art)
HUE: the NAME of a color in the color
wheel
 PRIMARY COLORS: red, yellow, blue
 Secondary: you create them by mixing 2
primary colors ( R+Y=O, B+Y=G, B+R=V)
 TERTIARY: Adding more of one of the
primary colors to an already mixed
secondary ( RedViolet, RedOrange,
YellowGreen, YellowOrange, etc)
 COLOR: Element of art that is derived
from reflected light

COLOR cont…..Intro to art
TINT: when you combine color and white. You
MUST always add color TO the white.
 TONE: When you add black and white
( gray) to a color
 SHADE: When you combine a color with black.
(black can be overpowering so use a little amount
at once)
 COMPLIMENTARY colors: colors directly
OPPOSITE from each other in the color wheel.
 INTENSITY CHART: is one where you create a
range of values using ONLY 2 complimentary
colors.

LAST ELEMENT OF ART:
TEXTURE



TEXTURE: element of art that refers to how
things feel if you actually touch them ( tactile
texture or real texture) , or how they might feel if
touched ( visual texture ) rough or smooth.
Invented texture: Texture that is made up, it
doesn’t exist, but it gives you the illusion of what
it might feel like
Simulated/visual texture: would be a drawing
or painting of something with real texture.