Elements of Design

Colour Is an element of art which describes how light strikes an object and reflects that colour of light back to our eye, which we are then able to see. Colour has three properties: Hue - is the name we give to a colour, such as red, yellow, blue, blue-violet. Intensity - Describes the brightness or strength of a colour. Intensity is described by words like bright, vibrant or dull. Tones - colours created by mixing a color with it's compliment (opposite on the color wheel). Tones are less intense versions of a colour.  For example, to make green less intense, mix a small amount of red into  green paint to tone it down. Value - Describes the lightness or darkness of a colour.  When we change the value of a colour we create a tint or shade.

The Color Wheel - shows the relationships between colors and how colors are created. Primary Colors - are the three basic colors on the color wheel.  These colors cannot be created from any other colors.  These colors create the rest of the colors on the color wheel.  The Primary Colors are red, yellow and blue. Secondary Colors - are the colors created when two primary colors are mixed together.  Red and yellow create orange, blue and yellow create green and blue and red create violet. Intermediate/Tertiary Colors - are the colors created when a primary is mixed with a secondary color.  The intermediate/tertiary colors are located between the primary and secondary color that are mixed on the color wheel.  For example when blue and green are mixed, we create blue-green.

Color Schemes A planned grouping of colors that work well together.  Certain color schemes are used to achieve certain effects or create moods in artwork. Warm Colors - Warm colors are reds, oranges and yellows.  They remind you of things that are warm like sun or fire.  They advance or come forward in artwork.  They also create a more cheerful, happy mood.  Cool Colors - Cool colors are greens, blues and violets or purples.  They remind you of cool or cold things like water or the woods.  Cool colors tend to recede or go back in artwork.  They tend to create a more calm mood, or show sadness. Monochromatic Colors - a palette of colors created by taking one color and creating tints (lighter) and shades (darker) versions of that color.  Below is an example of a monochromatic wheel using the color blue, going from the lightest tint to the darkest shade.

Analogous Colors - are a palette of color combinations that blend well together.  They are neighbors on the color wheel.  They tend to live harmoniously because they are relatives to each other.  They do not have a lot of contrast since they are so closely related.  Below are a grouping of analagous colors.  They are all closely related because the are all made using red. Complementary Colors - two colors that when placed next to each other make each other appear brighter or more intense.  Complementary colors are located directly across from each other on the color wheel.  When two complementary colors are mixed together, they make a tone or a duller versions of those colors.

Value and Color - when we add a neutral color to a color, we change it's value.  When mixing colors, you should mix the darker color into the lightest color. Neutral Colors - colors not found on the color wheel.  White, gray, black and brown are the neutral colors. Tints - making a lighter version of a color.  When mixing a tint, you should mix the color you want to make a tint of into white.  Mix slowly and small amounts at a time.  Below are some tints of red. Shades - making a darker version of a color.  When mixing a shade, you should mix the black paint into the color you are making a shade of.  Below are some shades of red.

Form Is an element of art.  Forms are three-dimensional figures (sphere, cube, cylinder, cone), as opposed to a Shape, which are two-dimensional or flat.   Sculptors, ceramicists, metalsmiths and fiber artists create forms in their artwork.

Line The path of a point which is moved through space.  A line is one-dimensional. Artists often use lines to help create a feeling of Movement in their artwork.  In addition, lines can be different in many ways.  Types of Lines Horizontal Zig-Zag Swirl Long Thick Diagonal Short Vertical Dashed Straight Thin Curved

Shape A shape is an Element of Art.  Shapes are created by one line closing in on itself or by two or more lines enclosing an area.  Shapes are two-dimensional. Geometric Shapes:  Shapes that are generally man made, usually having sharp corners or angles.  Geometric shapes can usually be defined by math

Organic or Free-Form Shapes:  Shapes that are usually found in nature.   Abstract Shapes:   Shapes that are stylized or simplified.  Not recognizable or not known by a specific name.  Abstract shapes can be both geometric or organic/free-form. Real Shapes:  Shapes that are given or known by a specific name, such as circle, square, triangle, rock, cloud.  Real shapes can be both geometric or organic/free-form.

Space An Element of Art which refers to the areas around, between or within shapes.  Space can be positive or negative.  Space can show depth or give the appearance of objects being three dimensional in artwork by using perspective techniques. Positive Space - is the actual objects or shapes in artwork.  Negative Space - is the space around and between objects in artwork.  

Tricks to Show Depth or Space in Artwork: Placement on the Page - objects nearer to the bottom of the page appear to be closer, objects nearer to the top appear farther away. Size Change - objects closer to you should be larger, objects farther away should be smaller. Overlapping - most basic of techniques, to create depth.  Objects in front of other objects overlap or cover up parts of the objects behind it.

Texture An element of art which refers to how something actually feels when it is touched in three-dimensional artwork, or how something appears to feel in two-dimensional artwork.  Rocks for example - a real three-dimensional rock might be rough, smooth or bumpy, where someone who has drawn a rock will try to create the appearance of those qualities through lines, colors, values and shapes. Visual Texture - a texture that can only be seen, but not felt. This texture is found mainly in two-dimensional artwork such as drawings or paintings.

Value The range of lightness and darkness within a picture.  Value is created by a source of light that shines on the objects Value helps to create depth within a picture, making objects appear to be three-dimensional with highlights, shadows and cast shadows.  Value creates mood in artwork.  The more contrasts in value the more dramatic artwork will be. Form Shadows -  The darkest areas on an object.  This area is shown as dark gray or black in a black and white drawing or painting, or a less intense, toned-down colors in a colored drawing or painting. Cast Shadows - shadow created on the surface that an object is sitting on. Cast shadows are created by the object blocking out the light from the area behind the object. The cast shadow is darkest nearer to the object and gradually gets lighter as it moves away from the object.  Highlights - the lightest, brightest areas on objects. Mid tones - the middle values on objects in artwork.  Mid tones are shown as grays in a black and white drawings or paintings, or as less intense, toned-down colors in a colored drawing or painting.