Art 2 Element & Principle Project
Name_____________________________
Goal: To create a personal work of art in which there is a dominant element and principle of art that are
easy to recognize to the viewer.
Objectives:
I.V.1.1 Use art vocabulary to critique art.
I.V.2.2 Use experiences and observations to create content for art.
I.V.3.3 Analyze the relationship between process and product.
I.CR.1.1 Critique art based on personal and formal criteria.
Creative Problem Solving: How can you create a work of art whose content/subject matter can be
merged with your element and principle?
Directions:
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Design a project based on your element and principle. It must be representational and should have
some personal meaning. Choose a subject matter that you feel strongly about, whether it is your
favorite meal, an activity that inspires you, or perhaps a favorite memory you have.
Research the images you need to build your composition. Use the rule of thirds to your advantage.
Create 3 detailed thumbnail sketches of differing compositions. The subject matter should be the
same; you alter the composition by use of color or rearranging sizes and elements of the piece.
Make sure you include a background, middle ground, and foreground (subject matter).
Get feedback from your neighbor abut which composition is the strongest and possible ways to
improve your idea. Make alterations to your favorite composition as needed.
Before starting on your final artwork, you must get your idea approved.
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You may use any medium available to you; pencil, pastels, collage, paint, mixed-media, etc.
Project size is 12x12” or any equivalent in square inches, such as 10x14”, 8x18”, or 6x23/24”.
Craftsmanship, effort, and effective use of class time are essential.
Vocabulary:
Composition: The arrangement of objects and elements on a picture plane.
Principles of Design: The tools with which artists use to organize an artwork: balance, contrast, emphasis,
movement, pattern, rhythm, and unity.
Elements of Art: The essential building blocks of drawing: line, shape, color, value, texture, space, and form.
Objectively assess yourself by circling what grade you think you earned for each bullet point within each criteria.
Grading Criteria
Express:
All aspects of your
composition have
been considered
and integrated to
aid your expression.
Your artwork
communicate your
“big ideas”
effectively
Envision:
You develop your
initial ideas into a
finished artwork.
You found a unique
and personal visual
solution and
avoided obvious
cliches
Developing
Craft:
Your artwork shows
a developed skill
with the media
used.
Your artwork shows
attention to detain
and care and skill in
construction.
A
Studio work
goes well
beyond
expectations in
conveying
understanding
-A person
viewing your
artwork
immediately
recognizes your
element and
principle as
dominant.
-You wrote 3-4
sentences in
your reflection.
-Your
composition is
dynamic.
B
Studio work
shows a
thorough
understanding of
the concepts
C
Studio work
shows a
satisfactory
understanding of
the concepts
D
Studio work
shows very little
understanding of
the concepts
F
Studio work not
present or
completely
misses the mark
-A person
viewing your
artwork can
recognize your
element and
principle within
your artwork.
-Your element
and principle are
recognizable
within your
artwork.
-Your element &
principle are not
dominant.
-You cannot
identify your
element &
principle.
-You wrote 1-2
sentences in your
reflection.
-You have
sentence
fragments.
-Your
composition is
predictable.
-Your
composition
lacks interest
and originality.
-Your concept
lacks originality
and personal
insight.
-Did not
complete
written
reflection.
-You completely
copied another
work of art.
-You wrote 2-3
sentences in your
reflection.
-Your
composition is
interesting.
-The concept for
your artwork is
personal and
helps the viewer
learn something
about you.
-The concept for
your artwork
relates to you
but does not tell
the viewer
anything about
you.
-The concept for
your artwork is
general and has
some personal
meaning.
-Your project
idea has no
personal
meaning.
-Your
application of
media (lines,
blending, etc.) is
perfectly neat.
-Your application
of media is very
neat.
-Your application
of media is neat.
-Your application
of media is
sloppy.
-Unfinished.
-You made the
best use of class
time.
-You made very
good use of class
time.
-Class time could
have been used
wiser.
-You did not use
class time well.
-Project is
finished.
-You did not use
class time well.
-Project is
incomplete.
Reflection Questions: Answer in 3-4 complete sentences.
1. What do you see? Objectively observe your project and describe what you did well and what could be
improved.
2. What do you envision? How could you make your artwork even better?
3. What was your original intent for the artwork? How did you plan to emphasize your element and principle?
4. How did your original idea change throughout the creation of your piece?