Jason Kishell
Elements of Art
Taken from the visual and tactile experience of making art
Line: The path of a moving point that provides direction and detail to a work of art. An implied line is a series
of points that the eye connects.
- Actual
- Implied
- Contour (3D)
- Outline (2D)
Space: (1) The implied or real sensation of two or three dimensions; or (2) the actual location of something
- 2-Dimentional
- 3-Dimentional
- Perspective; one-point, two-point, or multiple-point
- Volume: The amount of space taken up by a shape or form, as defined by length times height
(shape: L x H), or length times width times height (form: L x W x H)
- Mass: The amount of material used by a shape or form; bulk, density
(mass is usually solid, and volume is usually hollow)
- Weight: The actual or visual force that a defined area of space exerts
- Shape: A two-dimensional area that stands out from the surrounding space because of an identifiable
boundary. The shape itself occupies positive space, while the surrounding area is the negative space
- Positive and Negative
- Geometric and Organic
- Form: A three-dimensional area that stands out from the surrounding space because of an identifiable
boundary. The form itself occupies positive space, while the surrounding area is the negative space
- Actual or implied
- Geometric or Organic
Light: The measure of illumination or shadow in a full range of colors.
- Value: The light and dark in a work of art independent of color.
Color: A property of light determined by specific light wavelengths, known as the hues. A color will have a
hue, a value, and a saturation/intensity.
- Hue: Pure color; primary, secondary, and intermediate (tertiary)
- Saturation: A measurement of purity in hue
- Shade: Hue mixed with black
- Tint: Hue mixed with white
- Tone: Hues mixed with grey
- Complementary and analogous
Texture: The tactile surface qualities of a work of art that appeal (vicariously) to the sense of touch. These can
be actual or visual.
- Actual or Visual (implied)
Time: As past, present, or future; an indefinite and continuous duration
- Implied or Actual
Motion: The action or process of moving or of changing place or position; movement
- Implied or Actual