Elements of Art and Principles of Design

Elements of Art and Principles of Design

• Art appreciation requires understanding basic concepts.
• Key elements of art include color, shape, form, value, texture, space, and line.
• Principles of design include balance, unity, variety, emphasis, movement, pattern, and proportion.

Subject Matter

• Subject matter is the person, animal, thing, or issue depicted in a work of art.
• It can be anything that inspires an artist.

Types of Subject Matter

• Representational (Objective): Depicts recognizable figures or objects. Examples include: interesting persons/animals, human form, human activities, commemorative events, common objects, nature, and deity.
• Non-representational (Non-Objective): Doesn't depict recognizable objects; focuses on form.

Form

• Form is the visual aspects of a work that can be isolated and described.
• It has nothing to do with a work's meaning but encompasses its surface features.
• Form exists in three dimensions (length, width, height) and can be viewed from multiple perspectives.
• Forms can be geometric (sphere, cube, cylinder, cone) or organic.

Value or Tone

• Value refers to the lightness or darkness of a visible element in a piece of art.
• Chiaroscuro is an Italian term for contrast between light and dark, used in art to create an illusion of depth.
• Value is a powerful tool for creating emotion and emphasis in art.

Color

• Colors are the product of light wavelengths reflected from objects.
• Properties of color include hue, value, and intensity.
• Hue refers to the quality by which we distinguish colors.
• Value refers to the lightness or darkness of a hue.
• Intensity (or saturation) refers to the brightness or dullness of a hue.

Space

• Space refers to the distance between, around, above, below, and within things.
• Positive space is the space occupied by a shape or object.
• Negative space is the space around a shape or object.

Texture

• Texture refers to the surface quality, how something feels or appears to feel.
• Actual texture is the physical property of a surface.
• Visual texture is the way a surface appears to feel.

Principles of Design: Balance

• Balance refers to an arrangement of elements so that no part seems to overpower another.
• Symmetrical (Formal): Two sides are identical, equal visual weight.
• Informal (Asymmetrical): Two sides are not identical but equal in visual weight.

Principles of Design: Proportion

• Proportion is the relationship of one part to another and of the parts to the whole.
• Well-proportioned shapes are pleasing to the eye.

Principles of Design: Rhythm

• Rhythm is characterized by repetition or alternation of elements to create movement and establish a pattern or texture.
• Four types: regular, flowing, progressive, alternating.

Principles of Design: Emphasis and Subordination

• Emphasis highlights certain parts of a design, giving them importance or dominance.
• Subordination reduces the visual importance of other parts of the composition to create visual interest.

Principles of Design: Unity and Variety

• Unity (also called harmony) refers to the coherence of elements to create a sense of order and continuity within a composition.
• Variety refers to the diversity within a work of art; preventing monotony.

Creating a Work of Art

• Instructions to create an artwork featuring the best facial feature, using yellow or bond paper, and applying elements of art.

Classifying Artwork Categories

• Categories for classifying artworks are defined based on compositions of art, elements of art, and principles of design.