Elements of Art Overview

Study Notes

Line: A path created by a moving point through space, serving as a fundamental element in composition and design.
Color: Comprised of three properties: hue (the type of color), value (lightness or darkness), and intensity (purity or strength of the color), essential for creating mood and depth in artwork.
Shape: A two-dimensional area defined by length and width, can be geometric (precise shapes) or organic (irregular shapes found in nature).
Form: Represents three-dimensional shapes, providing volume and depth, essential for lifelike representation.
Space: The area around, between, and within objects in artwork; manipulation of space can create an illusion of depth and perspective.
Value: Refers to the lightness or darkness of a color, adding dimension and emphasis to compositions.
Texture: Describes the surface quality of an object—how it looks and feels, contributing to the sensory experience of the artwork.

Types of Shape and Form:
- Geometric: Defined shapes such as circles, squares, and triangles.
- Organic: Irregular, free-form shapes found in nature.
Types of Line:
- Implied Line: Suggests movement or direction without being physically drawn.
- Actual Line: A continuous line that can be seen and followed.
- Psychic Line: A line that is not physically drawn but suggests connection between elements through psychological means.