LESSON 3 - Elements of Art and Principles of Design

Line

The path of a point moving through space; described by direction, feeling, quality; types include active

Shape

An enclosed area of space created through lines and other elements; can be geometric (precise: squares, triangles, rectangles) or organic/freeform (curved, natural).

Form

Three-Dimensional

Texture

Tactile qualities of a surface (the way it actually feels or looks like it would feel); can be actual (felt) or implied (visual illusion).

Color

Produced when an object reflects or emits light; has three properties: hue, value, and saturation/intensity.

Hue

The name of the color.

Value (color property)

The lightness or darkness of a color.

Saturation / Intensity

The brightness of a color, often measured by boldness or dullness.

Value (element of art)

The lightness and darkness of colors; shown in a value scale from white (lightest) to black (darkest); creates contrast.

Space

Used to depict depth or distance

Balance

Distribution of visual weight in a composition; can be formal/symmetrical, informal/asymmetrical, or radial.

Contrast

Arrangement of opposite elements (e.g., light/dark colors, smooth/rough textures, large/small shapes) to create variety, visual interest, and drama.

Emphasis

The area of an artwork that dominates attention or draws interest first; created by contrasting elements.

Movement

Visual flow or path the viewer’s eyes take through the artwork; can also refer to how an artist depicts motion using elements and principles.

Unity

Organization of elements to convey a single, cohesive message or visual experience; gives a sense of wholeness and completeness.

Harmony

Principle where parts of a composition relate through commonality (repeated or shared characteristics, elements, or visual units).

Color Harmony

Concept in color theory that uses geometric relationships on the color wheel to identify harmonious color combinations.

Monochromatic

Color scheme using variations (different values and intensities) of a single hue.

Analogous

Colors that sit next to each other on the color wheel.

Complementary

Colors that are directly opposite each other on the color wheel.

Split Complementary

2 colors across each other with one color in between 

Triadic

Three colors evenly spaced on the color wheel (forming a triangle).

Tetradic

Four colors arranged in a rectangle on the color wheel.

Square

Four colors arranged in a square on the color wheel.

Positive Space

The area filled with the subject or content in a composition.

Negative Space

The area in between the subjects in a composition; it creates an illusion of closeness or distance.

Actual forms

sculpture or architecture e.g, Sarimanok Sculpture, 2011, Abuldmari Asia Imao (1936-2014), National Artist for Visual Arts

Implied forms

illusion on a flat surface e.g, Still Life of Tropical Fruits,” 1928, Fernando Amorsolo (1892-1972), National Artist for Visual Arts

Actual textures

Sculptures, ceramics, etc. may have bumpy or uneven surfaces

Implied texture

Two-dimensional work made to look like a certain texture