ELEMENTS OF ART Building Blocks

ELEMENTS OF ART The building blocks used by artists to create a work of art.

ELEMENTS OF ART Line Shape Form Space Texture Value Color

Line Line is a mark with a greater length than width. Lines can be: Horizontal Vertical Diagonal Straight Curved Thick Thin

Contour Line A line that creates or shows the edges of a shape.

Implied Line A series of points that the viewer’s eyes connect automatically.

Shape Shape is a closed line. Shapes are flat and can express length and width. Shapes can be: Geometric Organic

Geometric Shapes Can be described using mathematical terms. Are very regular or precise. Are more often found in man-made things because they are easier to reproduce and make things with. Examples?

Organic Shapes Are irregular or uneven. Are more often found in nature. Examples?

Form A form is three-dimensional shape expressing length, width, and depth. Examples

Space Space is the area between and around objects. Space can also refer to a feeling of depth. Real space is three-dimensional; in visual art, when we create a feeling or illusion of depth we call it space.

Negative Space

Texture Texture is the surface quality in a work of art. We associate texture with the way things feel or look as though they would feel. Texture can be: Actual Implied

Actual Texture Actual texture is the way something would feel if you were to touch it.

Implied Texture Implied texture is how something looks as though it would feel if you touched it.

Actual and Implied Texture

Value Value is the quality of light or dark in a work of art. Value can be used to create a sense of depth in a work of art.

Value Scale A value scale shows a range from light to dark. Gray Scale Value Scale (Blue)

Color Color is light reflected off of objects. Color has three main characteristics. Hue – name of the color. Value – how light or dark the color is. Intensity – how bright or dull the color is.

Colors White is pure light. Black is the absence of color. Primary colors are the only true colors. All other colors are made by mixing primary colors.

Primary Colors Red Blue Yellow

Secondary Colors Secondary colors are made by mixing two primary colors. Red + Yellow = Orange Yellow + Blue = Green Blue + Red = Violet (Purple)

Intermediate (Tertiary)Colors Intermediate (tertiary) colors are made by mixing one primary color and one secondary color. Blue + Green = Blue-Green Yellow + Green = Yellow-Green Red + Violet = Red-Violet (Purple)

Complementary Colors Complementary Colors are across from one another on the color wheel. Complementary colors contrast because they share no common color. When complementary colors are mixed together, they neutralize to make brown.

Complementary Color Pairs Red and Green Blue and Orange Violet and Yellow

Color Tints – colors with white added, often called pastels. Tones – colors with gray added. Shades – colors with black added.