Elements of Visual Art
Guidelines for Art Notes: Art
Elements
3 columns
Term
Definition
Illustration
Example:
Term
Subject
Definition
The central image of the work
Illustration
Subject
What is art?
*Art: “the visual expression of an
idea or experience created
with skill.”
* How is art created?
By using the elements and
principles of art.
elements: A fundamental and
essential component of a
product
principles: a rule or method
for using elements in a product
Terms
• Subject: the focus of the
painting
– A woman, man, dog, etc.
• Medium (media): the
material used to make a
piece
– Crayons, markers, paint, steel, wood
• Context: the influence of
time, place, and ideas on
a work
– 1800s, France, Paintings should show a brief
glimpse of an image
What is the subject?
Elements of Art
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Line
Shape
Form
Texture
Space
Value
Color
Line: A path that a point makes through
space. Lines can convey emotions.
Shape: a 2-D area that is enclosed with
a line
Form: a shape that has become 3D. Shows depth
Texture: the way the surface of an object
looks like it feels, such as paintings and
drawings
Space: the area inside, around,
under, etc. an area
Positive- Filled space
Negative- Empty space
Value: describes the darkness or lightness
of an object
Color: derived from reflected light.
(we see it because of light)
• Primary:
– can’t be made
– red, yellow, blue
• Secondary:
– made by two primary colors
– green, orange, violet
• Tertiary:
– a primary mixed with a
secondary
– red-orange, blue-green
• Complementary:
– opposite each other on the color
wheel
– red/green, blue/orange
• Analogous:
– next to each other on the color wheel
Color Terms
Hue: a name for a color on the color
spectrum ([primary and secondary). It’s
about LIGHT!
Intensity: the brightness or dullness
of a hue. LIGHT!
Principles of Art Notes
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Contrast
Rhythm, Repetition, Pattern- Movement
Emphasis
Balance: three types
Variety: a use of several elements
Unity:
Proportion
Guidelines for Art Notes: Art
Principles
3 columns
Term
Definition
Illustration
Example:
Term
Subject
Definition
The central image of the work
Illustration
Subject
Contrast: the technique for creating a
focal point using two different elements
What is the contrast?
Rhythm, Repetition, Pattern: the repetitive
use of an element to create a visual effect
(movement)
• Movement
– Arrangement elements in a way that makes
the eye follow a path through the composition.
Achieved by use of repetition and patterning.
Emphasis- when elements are used to
make one image dominant over
another
Balance: three types:
– asymmetrical: balance isn’t completely the
same on both sides
– Symmetrical: balance is the same on
both sides
Balance
• Radial: elements radiate out evenly from
central axis
Variety: use of several different
elements
Unity- the wholeness of the work
Additional Words to Make You
Sound Intelligent About Art:
http://www.businessweek.com/the_thread/blogspotting/archives/the-thinker4.jpg
Perspective
• a graphing system that creates the illusion
of depth and volume on a 2D surface
Perspective
• Linear Perspective:
– using lines to show distance and depth
– vanishing point
Perspective
• Atmospheric Perspective:
– effect of air and light on how an object is
viewed by the viewer
• the more air between the viewer and the object,
the more the object seems to fade
• A bright object seems closer to the viewer than a
dull object
• http://www.teachartathome.com/POD%20DW%20Images/Lesson%
2016_files/KB%2016%2013%20c.jpg
Which perspective?
The areas of art:
What area is what?
• http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/java/library/jj2d/Seurat_SundayAfternoonGrandJatte.jpg
What area is
what?