The Principles of Art and Design

Emphasis

A way of combining elements to stress the differences between those elements. Often, contrasting elements are used to direct and focus the viewer’s attention on the most important parts of a design

Proportion

The principle of art concerned with the relationship of certain elements to the whole or each other. (The large size of one shape compared to the smaller sizes of other shapes)

Balance

Refers to a way of combinging elements to add a feeling of equilibrium or stability to a work of art

Gradation

Refers to a way of combining elements by using a series of gradual changes in those elements. (A gradual change from small to large shapes, or from a dark hue to a light hue)

Variety

A way of combining elements in involved ways to create intricate and complicated relationships. It is achieved through diversity and change. Artists turn to this principle when they want to increase visual interest in their works

Rhythm

Created by the careful placement of repeated elements in a work of art to cause a visual tempo or beat

Movement

A principle of art used to create the look and feeling of action and to guide the viewer’s eye throughout the work

Unity

Refers to a way of combinging similar elements in an artwork to accent their similarities. It is accomplished through the use of repetitions and subtle, gradual changes

Symmetrical Balance

A formal balance in which two halves of a work are identical; one half mirrors exactly the other half. This is the simplest kind of balance

Asymmetrical Balance

Type of balance that takes into account such qualities of hue, intensity, and value in addition to size and shape

Line

A continuous mark made on some surface by a moving point

Shape

Refers to a two-dimensional area clearly set off by one or more of the visual elements

Form

A three dimensional object - it possesses length, width, and depth

Color

An element made up of three distinct qualities: hue, intensity, and value

Texture

Surface quality of the object

Space

Can be thought of as the distance or area between, around, above, below, or within things

Value

Gradation of tone from light to dark, from white through gray to black

Vanishing Point

A single spot on the horizon where all parallel lines converge

One-Point Perspective

A system for depicting three dimensional depth on a two-dimensional surface, dependent upon the illusion that all parallel lines that recede into space converge at a single point on the horizon, called the vanishing point

Two-Point Perspective

A system for depicting three dimensional depth on a two-dimensional surface, dependent upon the illusion that all parallel lines converge at two points on the horizon

Learning to see

What is the main objective of drawing?

Diminution

Objects appear smaller as their distance from the observer increases