A Review of the Elements of Art

What are the Elements of Art? Elements of art are the things that make up a piece of art: –Line - Form - Colour - Space –Shape - Value - Texture All artworks will contain at least one element of art.

Line Refers to the continuous mark made on a surface by a moving point. It may be 2-dimensional, like a pencil mark on paper or it may be 3-dimensional (wire) or even implied (a dotted line). Often it is an outline. Refers to the continuous mark made on a surface by a moving point. It may be 2-dimensional, like a pencil mark on paper or it may be 3-dimensional (wire) or even implied (a dotted line). Often it is an outline.

Keith Haring, title unknown, date unknown

Ben Shahn, Supermarket, 1957 Zdenek Sykora, Line No. 50, 1988, oil

Shape When lines meet shapes are formed. Shapes have only height and width, therefore shapes are always flat (2-dimensional). When lines meet shapes are formed. Shapes have only height and width, therefore shapes are always flat (2-dimensional). Two types of shape: –Geometric shapes are usually angular and appear frequently in man-made objects. –Organic shapes are usually more rounded and appear most often in nature. Geometric Organic

Joan Miro Manierre Dawson, Observation, 1913 Oil on panel

Form Objects that are 3-dimensional – they have height, width and depth. Artists can give drawings the illusion of form by using different techniques Actual form The illusion of form

Kathe Kollwitz, Self-Portrait, 1923, woodcut Ralph Goings, Relish, 1994

Space Refers to the distance or area between, around, above or within things. Space can be 2-dimensional, 3-dimensional, negative and/or positive. Refers to the distance or area between, around, above or within things. Space can be 2-dimensional, 3-dimensional, negative and/or positive. Space can also refer to the 3D illusion of depth in an artwork.

Pieter Saenredam The Choir and North Ambulatory of the Church of Saint Bavo, Haarlem, 1634 Robert Indiana, Love, circa 1970s

M.C. Escher, Belvedere, 1958

Colour Colour has three properties 1)Hue – the name of the colour, e.g. red, yellow, blue, etc. 2)Intensity – the strength of the colour - brightness or dullness. 3)Value – the lightness or darkness of the colour.

Roy Lichtenstein, Blam, 1962, Oil on canvas Van Gogh, Self Portrait, 1889

Value Describes the lightness or darkness of a color. Value is needed to express form. You can get different values of a color by making shades (add black) and tints (add white). Using value correctly makes 2-D works "look" 3-D.

J.D. Hillberry, Which came first, date unknown, pencil Edward Weston, Pepper No.30, 1930, photograph

Texture Refers to the surface quality or "feel" of an object, such as roughness, smoothness, or softness. Actual texture can be felt; however, artists can also create the illusion of texture in a painting, drawing or print (known as implied texture). Wet, slippery, hard Soft, silky

Anthony van Dyck, Portrait of Agostino Pallavicini, , Oil on canvas Meret Oppenheim, Object, 1936

Principles of Art

Balance A sense of stability in an artwork. Balance can be created by repeating the same shapes and by creating a feeling of equal weight. There are 3 types: –Formal (symmetrical) –Informal (asymmetrical) –Radial Formal balance Informal balance

James Whistler, Girl in white with a Japanese fan, Italian textile, 18 th C

Emphasis Artists use emphasis to make certain parts of their artwork stand out and grab your attention. The focal point is the place the artist draws your eye to first.

Mary Cassatt, The Letter, 1891 In this painting the envelope is emphasized by painting it white against the dark patterns of the woman's dress. The artist also placed the envelope in the center of the painting to draw your eye to it

Variety Is created when an artist adds something that looks different from the rest of the artwork. This makes the artwork more interesting. Is created when an artist adds something that looks different from the rest of the artwork. This makes the artwork more interesting. You can achieve variety/ contrast by using difference shapes, textures, colors and values in your work. You can achieve variety/ contrast by using difference shapes, textures, colors and values in your work.

Rhythm a type of movement in drawing and painting. Artists create rhythm by repeating shapes and colors and by creating patterns. a type of movement in drawing and painting. Artists create rhythm by repeating shapes and colors and by creating patterns. Quilt, 1870

The bridge supports create a rhythm that leads your eyes through the landscape. Ando Hiroshige, Okazaki

The movement of this picture is created by the rhythm of the figures' bodies. Their bodies have a back and forth rhythm that forces the viewer's eyes to go left to right as it goes up the painting.

Movement Used to create the look and feeling of action. Used to create the look and feeling of action. It can also refer to the path the viewer's eye follows throughout a work of art.

3 types of movement: - Kinetic (art moves) - Implied (looks like it is moving in 2D- like Degas’ dancers left) - Sympathetic (audience must walk around art)

Contrast Refers to the arrangement of opposite elements (light vs. dark colors, rough vs. smooth textures, large vs. small shapes, etc.) in a piece so as to create visual interest, excitement and drama.

Pattern Pattern is the repeating of an object or symbol all over the artwork. Left is a VERY literal repetition of the an iconic symbol for power- the American flag Example by Jasper Johns

Unity The feeling that everything in the work of art works together and looks like it fits. Berthe Morisot uses the elements of texture and color. The mood of the painting seems to be light, simple, and airy. For the texture, to show consistency with the mood, she uses seemingly simple and airy brush strokes. And for color, Morisot opts for soft pastels to continue in the light, airy mood of the painting.

The End