Elements and
Principles of Design
ELEMENTS OF ART
LINE
An extended point, a mark with length and direction(s).
Types include: vertical, horizontal, diagonal, straight or ruled, curved, bent, angular, thin,
thick or wide, interrupted (dotted, dashed, broken, etc.)
ELEMENTS OF ART
SHAPE
A connected line; 2-D line with no form or thickness. Shapes are flat and can be grouped into
two categories, geometric and organic.
ELEMENTS OF ART
FORM
A 3-dimensional object having volume and thickness.
ELEMENTS OF ART
VALUE
Value is the lightness or darkness of a color. Value is also called Tone.
ELEMENTS OF ART
TEXTURE
Texture is the surface quality of a shape - rough, smooth, soft hard glossy etc. Texture can
be physical (tactile) or visual.
SPACE
the area between and around objects. The object fills positive space while negative space
surrounds the object. Space is created in a two-dimensional artwork by using perspective,
overlapping, and color and value creating the appearance of depth or distance
ELEMENTS OF ART
COLOR
Light reflected off objects. Color has
three main characteristics: hue or its
name (red, green, blue, etc.), value
(how light or dark it is), and intensity
(how bright or dull it is).
Primary Colors
• RED, YELLOW, BLUE
Secondary Colors
• Green, Violet, Orange
Intermediate Colors
• Red-orange, Red-violet, Bluegreen, Blue-violet, Yellowgreen, Yellow-orange
PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN
EMPHASIS/FOCAL POINT
An area that first attracts attention in a
composition
BALANCE
a feeling of visual equality in shape, form, value, color, etc.
1. symmetrical or evenly balanced
2. asymmetrical and un-evenly balanced
PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN
HARMONY/RHYTHM
Brings together a composition with similar units. Some
elements recurs regularly. Like a dance it will have a flow
of objects that will seem to be like the beat of music.
MOVEMENT
a visual flow through the composition. It can be
the suggestion of motion in a design as you
move from object to object by way of placement
and position.
PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN
PROPORTION
refers to variations in the size of objects, lines or shapes. There
is a variation of sizes in objects either real or imagined.
CONTRAST
Occurs when two related elements are different. The
greater the difference the greater the contrast.
Contrast adds variety to the total design and creates
unity. It is what draws the viewer's eye into the
painting and helps to guide the viewer around the art
piece..
PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN
REPETITION
Element occurring more than once; Repetition
with variation is interesting, without variation
repetition can become monotonous
PATTERN
The repetition of anything -- shapes, lines, or
colors -- also called a motif, in a design
VARIETY
Repetition of visual elements such as shapes or colors create a rhythm and
pattern in an artwork