The Elements of Art (Pre-AP Visual Arts)

LINE

A path made by a moving point through space. It is one-dimensional and can vary in width, direction, and length.

SHAPE

Flat, enclosed areas that are two-dimensional (length and height). Artists use both geometric and organic versions of this.

FORM

Three-dimensional (length, width, height) and can be viewed from many angles. These have volume and take up space.

SPACE

Used to create the illusion of depth within an artwork. It can also refer to the positive (area that contains the subject or focal point of a work) and negative (area surrounding that subject) space between, around, or within objects.

VALUE

Describes the lightness or darkness of a surface.

COLOR

Perceived by the way light reflects off a surface. There are three properties of color: hue (color name), intensity (strength/purity), and value (lightness and darkness).

TEXTURE

Describes the surface quality of an object. Artists use both actual texture (how things feel) and implied texture (how things look like they feel).