Elements of Design: Art Techniques and Color Theory Review

Line

The path of a moving point.

How can line affect the mood of an artwork?

Lines can make a difference in the expression of your design. It creates rhythm, movement, and can give impact.

Shape

Shape is created when a line begins and ends at the same point, creating an enclosed space.

Geometric Shape

Examples include square, triangle, rectangle.

Natural/Organic Shape

Examples include leaf, free, flowers.

Non-Objective Shape

Examples include blobs, germ-like, irregular shape.

Value

Lightness or darkness of a colour.

Tint

Add white to create a lighter version of a colour.

Shade

Add black to create a darker version of a colour.

Form

An element of art that is three-dimensional and encloses volume; it includes height, width, and depth.

Geometric Form

Example: Cube.

Natural/Organic Form

Example: Fruit.

Non-Objective Form

Example: Mountains.

Texture

Refers to how things feel or look as though they might feel, if touched.

Actual Texture

Texture that can be felt.

Implied Texture

Texture that is seen, created by changes in value and marks made.

Space

Refers to the distance or area between, around, above, below, and within objects.

Positive Space

Objects/subjects that occupy space.

Negative Space

Empty space.

Ways to create the illusion of deep space

1. Overlapping 2. Size (smaller in back) 3. Detail (less in back) 4. Placement (higher up in back) 5. Change in value and intensity (lighter in back) 6. Linear Perspective (converging lines).

Primary Colours

Red, blue, and yellow

Secondary Colours

Green, orange, and violet

Tertiary Colours

Examples include red-orange, red-violet, yellow-orange, yellow-green, blue-violet, and blue-green

Shape vs. Form

Shape is 2-dimensional; Form is 3-dimensional.

Actual Texture vs Implied Texture

Actual texture is felt; Visual texture is seen.

Colour Value vs Colour Intensity

Colour value is the lightness or darkness of a colour; Colour intensity is the brightness or dullness of a colour.

How to change colour intensity

To tone down and change the intensity of RED, add green; for YELLOW, add violet; for BLUE, add orange.