Elements and Principles of Art
SECTION 1
Elements of Art
Form
Line
Shape
Color
Texture
Space
Value
SECTION 2
Emphasis
Balance
Harmony
Variety
Movement
Rhythm
Proportion
Unity
Form is an element of art that is
three-dimensional and encloses
volume. Cubes ,spheres,and
cylinders are examples of
various forms. Line is an
element of art which refers to the
continuos mark made on some
surface by a moving point. It may
be two dimensional, like a pencil
mark on a paper or it may be
three dimensional(wire) or
implied( the edge of a shape or
form) often it is a outline,contour
or silhouette. Shape is an
enclosed space defined by other
elements of art. shapes may take
on the appearance of two-d or
three- objects. Color Is an
element of art with three
properties1) Hue, the name of
the color, e.g. red, yellow, etc. 2)
Intensity or the purity and
strength of the color such as
bright ness or dullness. And 3)
value, or the lightness or
darkness of the color. Texture
refers to the surface quality or
"feel" of an object, such as
roughness, smoothness, or
softness. Actual texture can be
felt while simulated textures are
implied by the way the artist
renders areas of the picture.
Space refers to the distance or
area between, around, above or
within things. It can be a
description for both 2 and 3
dimensional portrayals. Value
describes the lightness or
darkness of a color. Value is
needed to express Volume.
Principles of Art
Emphasis in a composition
refers to developing points of
interest to pull the viewer's eye to
important parts of the body of the
work. Balance is a sense of
stability in the body of work.
Balance can be created by
repeating same shapes and by
creating a feeling of equal weight.
Harmony is achieved in a body of
work by using similar elements
throughout the work, harmony gives
an uncomplicated look to your
work. Variety refers to the
differences in the work, You can
achieve variety by using difference
shapes, textures, colors and values
in your work. Movement
adds
excitement to your work by showing
action and directing the viewers eye
throughout the picture plane.
Rhythm is a type of movement in
drawing and painting. It is seen in
repeating of shapes and colors.
Alternating lights and darks also
give a sense of rhythm.
Proportion or scale refers to the
relationships of the size of objects
in a body of work. Proportions gives
a sense of size seen as a
relationship of objects. such as
smallness or largeness.
Unity
is seen in a painting or drawing
when all the parts equal a whole.
Your work should not appear
disjointed or confusing.
CREATIVE PRINCIPLES
Grade: 7-8
Age: 12-14
Submitted by: Ruth Hand, an art educator at Middle School in Emmetsburg, Iowa.
Dot Line Examples
click on small pics for larger versions
This is a series of simple design exercises to further understanding of the Principles of Design and how each can
be developed within a structured composition.
Time Frame:
Two to three weeks depending on age level, how often class meets, length of class period, number of designs
assigned, etc.
Objectives:
Students will:
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Review the basic Principles of Design (balance, unity, movement, rhythm, pattern, contrast and emphasis).
Understand each principle more completely.
Provide "aerobic exercise" for the right side of their brain.
What You Need:
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Video "Principles of Design" Gerald Brommer
Elements and Principles of Design poster sets (Crystal Video Productions ph: 516-928-4420)
8 ½" x 11" white typing paper (cut into 4 ¼" x 5 ½" rectangles)
Variety of colored pencil point magic markers
Classical Music CDs and CD player (optional during class)
What You Do:
1. View the video. Students may take notes if desired. Afterwards, review the information discussed by having
groups of 2-3 students take one of the seven principles posters and present it to the class emphasizing two
or three important points talked about in the film.
2. Pass out 15-25 small-size sheets of the white typing paper for each series of designs that students will be
working on. They can identify their own sheets by using pencil to mark initials on the back side. Make sure
each student has, or can share, at least 4-6 colored pencil point markers for variety. (Large markers are too
clumsy and do not make as neat a design.)
3. Do a quick review of the elements of design (specifically line, color, space). Explain to students that they
will be creating a series of designs, first using dots, then lines, and finally, a combination of both. Each
design should illustrate at least three or more of the principles they have discussed. Stress that, while
designs need not necessarily fill the entire paper, they must be complete and well developed as space is
an important consideration. Also, all designs must be totally abstract; no recognizable objects, shapes,
letters, numbers, symbols, etc. are allowed.
4. Discuss and establish some basic criteria for each group of designs. The following work well for dot
designs (define a dot as the beginning of a line, regardless of its size):
o use only two colors per design (keep it simple).
o dots must be round and colored solid.
o dots within each design should vary in size (change can be sudden or gradual but is important for
providing contrast, thereby avoiding "chicken tracking").
o
dots may "follow the leader," touch, overlap, stack on top of each other, run off the edge of the
paper, etc.
Dot Design Examples
click on small pics for larger versions
5. Basic criteria for line designs might include the following:
o use only two or three colors per design.
o lines should begin thin, grow in thickness and return to a thin line again...or run off the paper (so
they remain lines instead of becoming shapes).
o lines should vary in length (short, medium, long) and may expand/contract in any form or direction.
o lines may be straight, curved, zigzag, twist; cross over, build on top of or weave under and through
each other, etc.
Line Design Examples
click on small pics for larger versions
Line Design Examples
click on small pics for larger versions
6. All of the above criteria apply to dot/line design combinations. Limit each design to three colors to ensure
that the designs do not become more about color than about design. Make certain students understand
that this is a form of brainstorming and there is no "right/wrong." Designs that appear to be incomplete can
always have something added. Encourage them to relax and let their right brain take over. Explain that,
often, our best ideas come when we "space out" or daydream while doodling.
Dot/Line Design Examples
click on small pics for larger versions
7. Tell students to look for new ways that dots and/or lines can be drawn or interact with each other and still
remain dots and lines. If they do come up with something new, for example, dots passing through each
other, have a round table discussion to reach consensus that it still meets basic criteria. These discussions
can grow into interesting exchanges as students take positions and offer differing opinions/explanations as
to why they believe some designs may or may not pass muster. Focus on constructive criticism.
8. As designs are completed, they should be laid out on the tables in front of students for continual reference.
Midway through each class, allow students to take a break, not only to rest their right brain, but also so they
may walk around and observe the work of others. This provides opportunity for "idea building," especially
for those students who get "stuck in a rut." Stress the fact that if they see another design they really like,
they can create a similar one by changing or adding to it rather than copying.
Original design
Expanded ideas created from original
click on small pics for larger versions
9. When each design series is completed, have students choose what they consider to be their best designs
to represent each principle and lay them out in separate marked areas. Again, have round table
discussions as to the merits of various designs. Students should name the principles they see illustrated
and comment on what might be lacking in some designs, for example, no unity or contrast, unbalanced
components, etc. Emphasize that the best designs may show all seven principles.
10. Ask students to point out designs which show:
o unity between all parts of the design.
o formal (symmetrical), informal (asymmetrical) and radial balance.
o areas of movement and rhythm.
o several different kinds of contrast.
o any obvious patterns.
o a focal point or center of interest.
o all seven principles due to outstanding organization of the basic elements within the design.
11. Allow students to select their best designs for putting up in a large display area. Ask for volunteers or
choose students to plan the arrangement and put it all together.
Follow up Activity:
Introduce students to the abstract styles of several different artists including Margo Hoff (Marathon, Street Music ),
Piet Mondrian (Composition with Red, Yellow and Blue), Jackson Pollock (Full Fathom Five, Autumn Rhythm),
Mark Tobey (Universal Field), and Henri Matisse (L'escargot, Beasts of the Sea, The Wine Press, Sorrows of the
King). After viewing and discussing examples of each, have them create their own more complicated abstract
design composition using geometric as well as organic lines and shapes and unlimited color choices. Provide a
variety of medium, such as charcoal, India ink, colored pencil, oil pastels, tempera paint, and an assortment of
different kinds of paper. Encourage students to use a combination of several of these. Have students write an
evaluation of their completed work using what they learned from studying the Principles of Design.
Dot/Line Design Examples
click on small pics for larger versions
Resources:
Principles and Elements of Design
Elements of Design
Principles of Design
http://www.kinderart.com/drawing/creative.shtml
Homework Help: Art: Visual Arts: Principles & Elements of Design
Principles and Elements of Design is what this page will focus on. What exactly does "Principles and
Elements of Design" mean? Principles of design are the laws of designing anything! In other words, to
have a good design, you should consider these principles for the best design possible. Elements of design
on the other hand are things that are involved within making a design. The major difference between
principles and elements is that principles are rules you have to follow and elements are things that will
help you complete those rules for the best project outcome.
Principles of Design, as said before, are the laws of designing anything! When making a design the seven
principles are contrast, emphasis, balance, unity, pattern, movement, and rhythm. Consider each of these
carefully for any design and you'll be a guaranteed a great project!
Contrast means showing differences in two different sections of the design or showing somehow that the
design being created is very different from other designs because of its contrast. Contrast can also be used
to show emphasis in any part of the design.
Emphasis is given to an area within the design because that area is meant to be seen or is more important
to be noticed when compared to other places of the design. For example, your design might be to have
white parallel lines going up and down. In the center of this design, you could have a circle. This circle
would be a part on the design that is emphasized.
Balance means keeping your design like a pattern. A balanced pattern would be if you had a border on
your pattern in black. Unbalanced would be if approximately one-third of the border was orange and the
other two-thirds in pink. To keep your design balanced, make your measurements as accurate as possible.
Keeping your design symmetric is a good technique for good balance, but not necessarily the best for all
types of designs.
Unity means keeping your design in a sort of harmony in which all sections of the pattern make other
sections feel complete. Unity helps the design to be seen as one design instead of randomness all around
your design.
Pattern is simply keeping your design in a certain format. For example, you could plan to have wavey
lines all around your design as a pattern, but then you must continue those wavey lines throughout the
design for good patterns. It wouldn't look good if suddenly you stopped all the wavey lines and drew a
picture of a dog.
Movement is the suggestion or illusion of motion in a painting, sculpture, or design. For example, circles
going diagonally up and down from right to left could show that the design moves up and to the right or
down and to the left.
Rhythm is the movement or variation characterized by the regular recurrence or alternation of different
quantities or conditions. In simpler words, it's just like pattern and shows that the desing has a 'beat' or
'flow' going with it. A plain white box has almost no rhythm what so ever.
Elements of Design, as said before, are things that are involved within making a design. The seven
elements of design are color, value, texture, shape, form, space, and line. Elements of design will help
your design look a lot more unique from other designs, and can help make the design symbolize anything!
Color is an easy one. Just make sure your design's color is right for the mood! Also make sure that each
section's color matches another section's color. Colors is probably the biggest element to pay attention to.
Value is the relative darkness or lightness of a color. Just as said in the paragraph above, make sure the
colors you put on your design are dark or light enough for the proper mood. If you want to show a sad
figure in your design, most people would give the design a darker value. On the other hand to show happy
children playing around most people would recommend lighter colors.
Texture helps your design to be distinctive or have identifying character and characteristics. With the
proper texture, your design will look more fascinating than the average design.
Shape is something distinguished from its surroundings by its outline within your design. You can make
your whole work a certain shape besides the common square, and then have shapes within the design
shape. This makes the design more complex.
Form is similar to the idea of shape. Form is the structure of your design and how everything in the
design looks like it's meant to go together. If the form is well planned and then carried out, it almost
guarantees your design in black and white will be a success.
Space has to be included in your design. Space means leaving some blank areas. Why would you wanna
leave parts of the design blank? Sometimes a human's eye needs space to feel confortable, and space will
let the human's eye distinguish the part that's meant to be noticed compared to just the background.
Sometimes not including space in your design is ok, but make sure it doesn't make it look messy.
Line defines the position and direction of the design. If you have lines or shapes that seem to be running
horizontally, then the design would seem like it's running in a left and right line. Make sure your design
identifies some sort of line so that the human eye can recognize which side is the top of the design or on
which side the design is suppose to start with interest.
Homework Help: Visual Arts
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