Lesson 1.2 - Elements of Arts and Recommended Activities

elements of art

are the basic visual components that artists use to create and communicate ideas, feelings, and experiences.

line

mark made by a moving point.

Direction, Length, Width, Thickness, and Movement

Lines can vary according to:

Horizontal

Vertical

Diagonal

Curved

Zigzag

Spiral

Thick

Thin

Line

Horizontal

Calm, rest

Vertical

Strength, stability

Diagonal

Movement, energy

Curved

Softness, movement

Zigzag

Excitement, tension

Spiral

Growth, movement

Thick

Strength, emphasis

Thin

Delicacy, lightness

Shape

is a two-dimensional, enclosed area defined by boundaries such as lines, colors, or changes in value.

Geometric Shapes

Organic Shapes

Types of Shape

Geometric Shapes

Regular, precise, and often associated with mathematical forms

Organic Shapes

Irregular or naturally occurring shapes

Geometric Shapes

Circle, square, triangle, rectangle

Organic Shapes

Leaves, clouds, flowers, stones, human figures

Forms

is a three-dimensional element of art that has height, width, and depth.

Forms

occupies physical space and can be viewed from different angles.

Geometric Form

Organic Form

Types of Forms

Geometric Form

A three-dimensional form with regular, precise, and mathematical characteristics

Organic Form

A three-dimensional form characterized by irregular, natural, or free-flowing shapes

Geometric Form

Cube, sphere, cone, cylinder, pyramid

Organic Form

Rocks, shells, fruits, plants, human body

Color

an element of art produced through the interaction of light and visual perception.

Color

whatvwe see when light is reflected or transmitted by an object.

Primary Colors

Secondary Colors

Tertiary Colors

Based on Color Mixing

Primary Colors

Colors traditionally taught as the basic colors that cannot be produced by mixing other colors in the traditional RYB model

Secondary Colors

Colors produced by mixing two primary colors

Tertiary Colors

Colors produced by mixing a primary color with a neighboring secondary color

Based on Color Mixing

Based on Temperature

Based on Relationships on the Color Wheel

Classification of Color

Warm Colors

Cool Colors

Based on Temperature

Warm Colors

Colors generally associated with warmth, energy, sunlight, or fire

Cool Colors

Colors generally associated with coolness, water, sky, or calmness

Complementary Colors

Analogous Colors

Based on Relationships on the Color Wheel

Complementary Colors

Colors positioned opposite each other on the color wheel, creating strong contrast

Analogous Colors

Colors located next to one another on the color wheel and generally creating visual harmony

Value

refers to the lightness or darkness of a color or tone. It helps artists create contrast, depth, emphasis, mood, and the appearance of three-dimensionality.

High Value

Middle Value

Low Value

Types of Value Value

High Value

Light values with little darkness

Middle Value

Values between light and dark

Low Value

Dark values with little lightness

Tint

A color made lighter by adding white

Shade

A color made darker by adding black

Texture

refers to the surface quality of an object—how it feels when touched or appears to feel when seen.

Actual Texture

Implied/Visual Texture

Types of Texture

Actual Texture

A texture that can actually be felt through touch

Implied/Visual Texture

A texture that is seen but not physically felt; an artwork creates the appearance of texture

Natural Texture

textures found in nature, such as leaves, rocks, tree bark, and shells.

Man-made Texture

textures created by people or found on manufactured objects, such as fabric, paper, metal, and plastic.

Space

is the element of art that refers to the area around, between, within, and occupied by objects in an artwork.

Positive Space

Negative Space

Foreground

Middle Ground

Background

Types of Space

Positive Space

The area occupied by the main objects or subjects

Negative Space

The empty area surrounding or between objects

Foreground

The part of an artwork that appears closest to the viewer

Middle Ground

The area between the foreground and background

Background

The part that appears farthest from the viewer