ELEMENTS OF ART
There are typically six elements of art that can be found in most art works. Artists use these elements as a “visual alphabet” to produce all kinds of art forms. The way in which elements are organized is referred to as the Principles of Design.
Line is the most basic element of art; a continuous mark made on a surface can vary in appearance (length, width, texture, direction, curve). There are five varieties of lines; vertical, horizontal, diagonal, curved and zigzag.
Color is produced when light strikes an object and reflects back in your eyes. This element of art has three properties:
• Hue – the name of a color (ex. – red, yellow, violet).
• Intensity – the purity and strength of a color (ex. Bright
red or dull red).
• Value – the lightness or darkness of a color.
Shape is two-dimensional, (circle, square, triangle, rectangle) and encloses space. It can be geometric, or organic (free-form).
Form is three-dimensional and encloses space and takes up space. It can be geometric or organic.
Space is defined and determined by shapes and forms. Positive space is where shapes and forms exist; negative space is the empty space around shapes and forms.
Texture refers to the surface quality or “feel” of an object – smooth, rough, soft, etc.. Textures may be actual (felt with touch – tactile), or implied (suggested by the way an artist created the work of art – visual).
There are typically six elements of art that can be found in most art works. Artists use these elements as a “visual alphabet” to produce all kinds of art forms. The way in which elements are organized is referred to as the Principles of Design.
Line is the most basic element of art; a continuous mark made on a surface can vary in appearance (length, width, texture, direction, curve). There are five varieties of lines; vertical, horizontal, diagonal, curved and zigzag.
Color is produced when light strikes an object and reflects back in your eyes. This element of art has three properties:
• Hue – the name of a color (ex. – red, yellow, violet).
• Intensity – the purity and strength of a color (ex. Bright
red or dull red).
• Value – the lightness or darkness of a color.
Shape is two-dimensional, (circle, square, triangle, rectangle) and encloses space. It can be geometric, or organic (free-form).
Form is three-dimensional and encloses space and takes up space. It can be geometric or organic.
Space is defined and determined by shapes and forms. Positive space is where shapes and forms exist; negative space is the empty space around shapes and forms.
Texture refers to the surface quality or “feel” of an object – smooth, rough, soft, etc.. Textures may be actual (felt with touch – tactile), or implied (suggested by the way an artist created the work of art – visual).
