The Elements and Principles of Art Through Photography
Line: The most basic element of art, it is defined as a mark that spans a distance between two points
taking any form along the way. In art, line pertains to the use of various marks, outlines and implied lines.
It is most often used to define shape. An implied line is the path that the viewer’s eye takes as it follows
shapes, colors and form along a path, but may not be continuous or physically connected.
*Connection Activity: Create a color pencil sketch using only lines to create not only shapes, but
also the light and dark areas of your photograph.
Shape: Shape pertains to the use of area in two-dimensional space that can be defined by edges, setting
one flat specific space apart from another. Shapes can be geometric (e.g., square, circle, etc.) or organic
(such as the shape of a puddle, leaf, etc.) Shapes are defined by other elements of art: space, color,
texture, value, color, and form.
*Connection Activity: Create the shapes in your photograph using tissue paper mounted on
drawing paper and covered with a solution of water and glue.
Form: Form is created as a three-dimensional shape (cube, pyramid, sphere, etc.) showing height, width
and depth. It may be enhanced by tone, texture and color. Form is the external appearance of a clearly
defined area.
*Connection Activity: Recreate the dimensions of a shape in your photograph using only pencils,
shading, and value. (Can also be created as a sculpture, using clay, or a computer generated design)
Value or Tone: Value or tone, refers to the relative degree of light and dark, shade and highlight in an
artwork. Sometimes referred to as tint and shade. Black and white photography depends entirely on value
to define its subjects. Value is directly related to contrast.
*Connection Activity: Recreate your photograph using pencils and shading. Cover the final
drawing with colored cellophane to show value and tone in color.
Color: Color pertains to the use of hue in artwork. It is the quality of an object or substance with respect
to the one reflected by it, and is measured by hue, brightness, and saturation. The primary colors (red,
yellow, blue) cannot be mixed in pigment from other hues. Secondary colors (green, orange, violet) are
directly mixed from a combination or primary colors. Further combinations create tertiary hues. Tint and
Shade are references to adding variations in value.
*Connection Activity: Recreate your photograph with watercolor or acrylic paint, using only the
primary colors plus black and white.
Texture: The texture is the quality of a surface, often corresponding to its tactile character, or what may
be sensed by touch. Texture may be used, for example, in portraying fabrics. It can be explicitly rendered
or implied with other artistic elements such as lines, shading, and variation of color.
*Connection Activity: Recreate the textures contained in your photograph by tracing or outlining
the basic shapes with a pencil and then using crayons or colored pencils to rub over the top of an object.
Balance: Balance is the principle of art that is concerned with the arrangement of one or more elements in
a work of art. They should appear symmetrical or asymmetrical in design and proportion.
*Connection Activity: Using a copy of the photograph, cut it in half down the center. Then use
colored pencils or pencils to recreate the other half creating a symmetrical pattern.
Movement and Rhythm: Rhythm is a principle of art using the regular repetition of particular forms or
elements occurring in a work of art. It suggests motion, and shows action along the path the viewer's eye
follows throughout an artwork.
*Connection Activity: From your photograph, cut out a figure in motion. Paperclip the figure on
to a stack of three papers of three different colors. Cut the figure out again. You will now have three
cutouts. Place them on black construction paper beside each other to show movement. (You may choose
to add a design of color, shape and line to the background as well). See below and the website:
http://afaithfulattempt.blogspot.com/2012/03/rhythm-movement-figures.html
Emphasis: Emphasis is the principle of art that refers to the created center of interest, the place in an
artwork where your eye first lands.
*Connection Activity: Recreate the object of emphasis in your photograph by tracing or drawing it
onto another sheet of paper. Then proceed to outline the shape over and over, in a rainbow effect using
several different designs. See below and the website:
http://www.incredibleart.org/lessons/SubPlans/subelem.htm
Proportion: Proportion is the principle of art that refers to a measurement of the size and quantity of
elements within a composition.
*Connection Activity: Choose an item in your photograph, and recreate it on a larger scale on
another piece of paper as compared to the other objects in the photograph. Use any medium to complete
the art.
Pattern: Pattern is the principle of art that refers to repetition and showing consistency with colors or
lines.
*Connection Activity: Create a stained glass pattern of your photograph using black or white
construction paper, glue to outline the pattern, and chalk to fill in the spaces.