Elements and Principles of Art

Line

Can vary in width, length, direction, and degree of curve.

Shape

An enclosed space, having only two dimensions. Can be geometric or organic.

Color

Identifies natural and manufactured things as being red, yellow, blue, orange, etc. 

Vaule

Relates to the lightness or darkness of a color or tone.

Texture

Refers to the quality of surface both tactile and visual.

Form

Three dimensional and encloses volume. Examples: cube or cylinder.

Space

Indicates areas around, above, below, between or inside objects. Can be positive or negative.

Balance

Refers to the arrangements of the parts in an artwork to give a sense of overall equality in visual weight. Can be symmetrical, asymmetrical, or radial.

Contrast

A large difference between two forms to create interest and tension.

Emphasis

Places greater attention on certain areas or objects in an artwork to create dominance, contrast, or a focal point.

Figure/Ground Relationship

A visual relationship between the foreground and background of a 2D artwork or the visual relationship between a sculpture and its environment.

Proportion/Scale

Refers to the size relationship of parts of an artwork to each other and to the whole.

Repetition

Created when objects, shapes, forms, space, light, direction, lines, etc. are repeated in artwork.

Rhythm

Creates a feeling of visual motion with the repetition of elements such as; lines, shapes, or colors.

Unity/Variety

Relates to the sense of oneness or wholeness in a work of art, and how those elements provide interest in an artwork

Value

Value defines how light or dark a given color or tone can be. Values are best understood when visualized as a scale or gradient, from dark to light. The more tonal variants in an image, the lower the contrast.

Shading

 The use of marking made to suggest three-dimensionality, shadow, or degrees of light and dark in a picture or drawing.

Additive Drawing

Many artists and students start a drawing by placing a series of lines on a piece of paper