Final Exam
Study guide Art I 8000
Elements of Art
I. Line
Line is one of the seven elements of art. It is considered by most to be the
most basic element of art.
In terms of art, line is considered to be a moving dot. It has an endless number
of uses in the creation of art.
The most common use of line is showing where an object ends. This type of
line is called a contour line. Contour lines are most commonly called outlines.
Line can also create the illusion of form in a drawing. Line quality is the
thickness or thinness of a line. By varying the line quality an artist can show
form in a drawing with just the use of line.
Line can also indicate shadow and form through the use of cross contour lines.
Cross contour lines follow the contours of the object. Much like running your
finger around the form of an object.
Kinds of lines
Vertical lines- lines that move up and down without any slant
Horizontal lines- lines that are parallel to the horizon
Diagonal lines- lines that slant
Zigzag lines- lines made from a combination of diagonal lines
Curved lines- Lines that change direction gradually
Hatching and crosshatching- using lines to create value
Hatching- lines going in the same direction
Crosshatching- lines that cross
II. Shape
A shape is created when a line is enclosed. Shape is one of the seven elements
of art and it has a variety of uses in the creation of art.
Shape is a two-dimensional area that is defined by a change in value or some
other form of contrast.
All shapes are two-dimensional, meaning that they have only length and width.
Shapes defined by objects are positive space.
Shapes defined around objects are negative shapes (space.
Shape-Terms
Shape- an element of art that is a two-dimensional area that is defined in some
way. A shape may have an outline around it or you may recognize it by its
area.
Geometric shapes- precise shapes that can be described using mathematical
formulas. Ex. Circle, square, triangle, oval, rectangle, parallelogram, trapezoid,
pentagon, pentagram, hexagon, and octagon.
Freeform Shapes- also called organic shapes, are irregular and uneven
shapes. Their outlines may be curved, angular, or a combination of both
Form and Shape are related. You can turn a shape into the illusion of form by
adding value and you can simplify a form from life into a shape.
III. Form
In terms of art, form refers to objects that are 3-Dimensional, or have length,
width, and height.
Form- an element of art, means objects that have three dimensions. I like to
think of form as a 3-D shape
Geometric forms have specific names associated with them and are typically
man-made.
Organic forms do not have specific names associated with them and are often
associated with naturally occurring forms.
We can create the illusion of form by understanding how light reacts on the
object. Adjusting different areas of an object with values of the local color will
result in the illusion of form in a drawing or painting.
IV. Value
Value deals with the lightness or darkness of a color. Since we see objects and
understand objects because of how dark or light they are, value is incredible
important to art. (I'll remind you that drawing and painting is about seeing.)
In order to draw or paint in a way that creates an illusion of what we normally
see, we must fully understand light and how it reacts on surfaces. Value is the
key to the illusion of light. This is why value is so incredibly important to
drawing and painting.
Successful Artwork has a Full Range of Value
Artworks that exhibit a full range of value are generally successful. As long as
there are dark values in harmony with light values, your artwork will most
likely be aesthetically pleasing. A full range of value means that they are ample
amounts of light values- called tints, and dark values- called shades.
The whole point to value is to create the illusion of light. So value is used to
basically create the illusion of highlights and shadows. Highlights and shadows
combine to create the illusion of a light source. Remember, without light we
cannot see. So technically, without a light source, you have no illusion.
Value-Terms
Value- Element of art associated with the darkness or lightness of a color
Light source- area in which light is originating from
Value scale- a guide to creating a range of value, good pieces of art have a full
range of value
Tints- light values
Shades- dark values
Highlights- areas on an object where light is hitting
Shadows- areas on an object where light does not hit
V. Texture
Texture- element of art that refers to the way an object feels to the touch or looks as
it may feel.
3-D Texture- refers to the way an object feels to the touch
2-D Texture- refers to the way an object looks as it may feel
Visual texture- the illusion of a 3-D surface
Simulated- imitate real textures
Invented- 2-D patterns created by the repetition of lines of shapes
Matte- surface that reflects a soft, dull light.
Shiny surfaces are the opposite of matte.
When drawing or painting texture, it is important to pay close attention to the valuesthey reveal the illusion of texture
VI. Space
In terms of art, space is the area around, above, and within an object. With
consideration to drawings and paintings, our goal is to create the illusion of space.
There are six ways an artist can create the illusion of space on a 2-Dimensional
surface:
1. Overlapping - occurs when objects that are closer to the viewer prevent the view of
objects that are behind them.
2. Placement on the paper - Objects placed higher within the picture plane will
appear further away.
3. Size - Objects that are smaller will appear further away from the viewer.
4. Detail - Objects that are further away should have less detail than objects that are
closer to the viewer.
5. Color and Value - Objects that are further away are cooler in color temperature,
while objects that are closer are warmer. Objects that are further away are lighter in
value, while objects that are closer are typically darker in value.
6. Perspective - Linear perspective is a drawing method that uses lines to create the
illusion of space on a flat surface.
One point perspective uses one vanishing point to accomplish this illusion.
Two point perspective uses two vanishing points to create the illusion of space.
Space-Terms
Space- element of art, refers to the emptiness or area between, around, above, below,
or within objects
Positive Space- the shapes or forms of interest
Negative Space- the empty space between the shapes or forms
3-D Space can be defined as the space over, under, through, behind, and around a
form. Architecture, sculpture, weaving, ceramics, and jewelry are three-dimensional
art forms
2-D space can best be described as an illusion. We perceive depth by creating an
illusion of 3-D space on a 2-D surface.
Point of view- refers to the angle at which you view an object.
Illusion of form-is manifested by creating an image with a range of value. By
accurately placing highlights and shadows an artist can create the illusion of form.
Illusion of depth- is manifested through the use of several factors:
Perspective- a graphic system that creates the illusion of depth and volume on a twodimensional surface
Overlapping- when one object covers part of a second object, the first seems to be
closer to the viewer. Size- Larger objects appear to be closer to the viewer than smaller
objects
Placement- Objects placed low on the picture plane seem to be closer to the viewer
than objects placed near eye level
Detail- objects with clear, sharp edges and visible details seem to be close to the
viewer. Objects that are less detailed seem further away
Color- Brightly colored objects seem closer to you, and objects with dull, light colors
seem to be further away
VII. Color
Color is the element of art that refers to reflected light. Color has an affect over how
we feel about objects, how we behave, and how our bodies react to circumstances.
The Color Wheel
The color wheel was developed by Sir Isaac Newton by taking the color spectrum and
bending it into a circle. If you follow around the color wheel, you will find the same
order of the color spectrum- red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo (blue-violet), and
violet.
The color wheel is made up of three different types of colors- Primary, Secondary, and
Tertiary.
The primary colors are red, yellow, and blue. No two colors can be mixed to create a
primary color. In other words, primary colors can only be created through the use of
natural pigments.
The secondary colors are orange, green, and purple. Secondary colors are created
by mixing equal parts of any two primary colors.
Tertiary colors are created by mixing equal parts of a secondary color and a primary
color together. There are six tertiary colors- red-purple, red-orange, blue-green,
yellow-green, blue-purple, and yellow-orange. Notice that the proper way to refer to
tertiary colors is by listing the primary color first and the secondary color, second.
Color Schemes
Color schemes are ways colors are put together in an intelligent way
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Monochromatic- literally means one (mono) color (chroma). So a
monochromatic color scheme is made up of one color and its shades and tints.
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Analogous colors- are colors that are next to each other on the color wheel.
When used as a color scheme, analogous colors can be dramatic. Ex. Blue, bluegreen, green, and yellow-green; red, red-purple, purple, blue-purple
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Complementary colors- are colors found directly across from each other on
the color wheel. Complementary color scheme provide strong contrast. Ex. Blue
and orange, red and green, yellow-green and red-purple.
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Warm colors- colors that are usually associated with warm things. Ex. Red,
yellow, orange
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Cool colors- colors that are usually associated with cool things. Ex. Blue,
purple, green
Color-Terms
Color- Element of art derived from reflected light. We see color because light
waves are reflected from objects to your eyes.
Color wheel- color spectrum bent into a circle.
Primary colors- The most basic colors on the color wheel, red, yellow and blue.
These colors cannot be made by mixing
Secondary colors- colors that are made by mixing two primary colors together.
Orange, green and violet (purple)
Tertiary colors- colors that are made by mixing a primary color with a secondary
color
Tints- are created by adding white to a color
Shades- are created by adding black to a color
Principles of Design
I. Movement
This refers to the way your eye moves through the composition. You can create dynamic
or static movement depending on your intent.
II. Unity/Harmony
The quality of wholeness or oneness created by a composition.
III. Variety
Having different forms or types within a composition. These differences can create visual
and conceptual interest.
IV. Balance
Arranging a composition so that no one part overpowers or feels heavier than another
part. Also, symmetry vs. asymmetry.
V. Emphasis/Focal Point
Creating a point of interest within a composition that attracts the viewers eye.
VI. Contrast
Refers to the differences in value within a composition. Low contrast would include a
shallow range of values while High contrast ranges from black to white.
VII. Proportion
The size and space relationships of all elements within a composition. Can be used to
create the illusion of largeness or smallness in an artwork.
VIII. Pattern/Rhythm
The use of repetition within a composition. Can be used to create movement and action.
Concepts
Line
Line: The path of a moving point made by a tool, instrument, or medium as it moves across an
area. A line is usually made visible because it contrasts in value with its surroundings. Threedimensional lines may be made using string, wire, tubes, solid rods, and the like.
Contour: In art, the line that defines the outermost limits of an object or a drawn or painted
shape. It is sometimes considered to be synonymous with outline; as such, it indicates an edge
that also may be defined by the extremities of dark, light, texture, or color.
Cross-contour: A line that moves across a shape or object to define the surface undulations
between the outermost edges.
Hatching: Repeated strokes of an art tool, producing clustered (usually parallel) lines that create
values.
Cross-hatching: In cross-hatching, similar lines to previous hutching pass over the hatched lines
in a different direction, usually resulting in darker values.
Blending: Create a smooth transition from light to dark or dark to light. In color, the same
transition from one color to another.
Line grossening: Change in thickness of any line. The thickness of the lines can change value
within the area: wide lines appear dark and narrow lines appear light.
Perspective
One-point perspective
Two-point perspective
Color
Color Wheel
Primary Color Wheel Chart
Primary Colors: Colors at their basic essence; those colors that cannot be created by mixing
others.
The primary colors are red, blue and yellow. All other colors are derived from these three colors.
Secondary Color Wheel Chart
Secondary Colors: Those colors achieved by a mixture of two primaries.
The secondary color wheel chart comprising of yellow, orange, red, purple, blue, green contains
colors formed by mixing together the three primary (or pigment) colors.
Tertiary Color Wheel Chart
Tertiary Colors: Those colors achieved by a mixture of primary and secondary hues.
The tertiary color wheel chart is made up of colors created by mixing a primary (or pigment)
color and secondary color together. Tertiary Colors are most commonly given a two word name
such as yellow-orange, red-purple, red-orange, blue-green, blue-purple and yellow-green.
Complementary Colors
The colors that are positioned opposite one another are complementary colors.
Analogous Colors
Analogous Colors: Those colors located close together on a color wheel.
Warm and cool colors
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Advancing hues are most often thought to have less visual weight than the receding hues.
Most often warm, saturated, light value hues are "active" and visually advance.
Cool, low saturated, dark value hues are "passive" and visually recede.
Tints or hues with a low saturation appear lighter than shades or highly saturated colors.
Some colors remain visually neutral or indifferent.
Color Shade and Tints
Value
Value
1. The relative degree of lightness or darkness.
2. The characteristic of color determined by the degree of lightness or darkness or the quantity of
light reflected by the color.
Local value
The relative lightness or darkness of a surface, seen in the objective world, that is independent of
any effect created by the degree of light falling on it.
Highlight
The portion of an object that, from the observer’s position, receives the greatest amount of direct
light.
Shadow
The darker value on the surface of an object that suggests that a portion of it is turned away from
or obscured by the source of light.
Cast shadow
The dark area that occurs on a surface as a result of something being placed between that surface
and a light source.
High-key value
A value that has a level of middle gray or lighter.
Low-key value
A value that has a level of middle gray or darker.
Shape
A two-dimensional, close, or implicitly closed configuration.
Form
The shape, configuration, or substance of an object.
Volume
The quality of a form that has height, width, and depth; the representation of this quality.
Three-dimensional
The illusion of volume or volumetric space—that is, of space that has height, width, and depth.
Sculpture
Sculpture in the round
Sculpture that is fully three-dimensional and finished on all sides. Also known as free-standing.
Relief sculpture
Sculpture in which the figures or forms are united with a background.
Types of Relief sculpture:
1. Low or Bas-relief sculpture
Relief sculpture in which flattened figures or forms project only very slightly from the
background
2. High relief sculpture
Sculpture in which the forms project substantially from the background.
3. Sunken relief sculpture
An Egyptian style of relief sculpture in which the figures are recessed into the surface. Also
known as incised relief.
4. Pictorial relief sculpture
Sculpture that conveys an illusion of depth by using a subtle transition from high to
progressively lower relief.