Elements of Art Overview

Study Notes

Line: A mark with greater length than width, can be:
- Horizontal, vertical, or diagonal
- Straight or curved
- Thick or thin
Shape: A closed line, can be:
- Geometric: Shapes like circles and squares
- Organic: Free-form or natural shapes
- Shapes are flat and express length and width.
Form: Three-dimensional shapes expressing length, width, and depth (e.g., pyramid, sphere, cube).
Space: The area between and around objects, can be:
- Negative space: Space around objects
- Positive space: Space within objects
- Space can convey a feeling of depth.
Texture: The surface quality that can be seen and felt, can be:
- Rough or smooth
- Soft or hard
- Textures may not always feel the way they look.
Color: The light reflected off an object, with three properties:
- Hue: The name of the color (e.g., red, green, blue)
- Value: How light or dark the color is
- Intensity: How bright or dull the color is

Balance: Distribution of visual weight of elements (e.g., objects, colors, textures, space) in a design.
- Symmetrical balance: Elements on one side of the design mirror those on the other.
- Asymmetrical balance: Sides are different but still visually balanced.
- Radial balance: Elements arranged around a central point, often similar.
Emphasis: The part of the design that captures the viewer's attention, often achieved by contrasting an area with others.
Movement: The path the viewer's eye takes through the artwork, often to focal areas, directed by lines, edges, shapes, colors.
Pattern: Repetition of an object or symbol throughout the artwork.
Repetition: Works with pattern to create visual activity and unity in the artwork.
Proportion: Feeling of unity created by harmonious relationships between sizes, amounts, or numbers of elements.
Rhythm: Created by repeating elements of design to create a feeling of organized movement, like music or dancing.
Variety: Use of diverse elements of design to hold the viewer's attention and guide their eye.
Unity: Feeling of harmony between all parts of the artwork, creating a sense of wholeness.

Context encompasses the factors surrounding a work of art.
Inquires about context:
- Historical events during the artwork's creation
- Scientific discoveries or technological innovations that may have influenced the artist
- Other artistic influences on the work
- Philosophical ideas of the time informing the artwork
- Cultural influences
- Intended audience
- Artist's association with a particular movement, school, or style
- Original purpose of the artwork
Classifications of art context:
- Formal Analysis: A technique for organizing visual information, focusing on describing what you see in the artwork.
- Description: Detailing the visual elements of the artwork, including lines, colors, textures, space, and composition.