Elements of Art

Elements of Art

The elements of art are the fundamental building blocks used to create a work of art.

Line

• A continuous mark made on a surface by a drawing tool
• Can vary in:
  • Direction (horizontal, vertical, diagonal, curved)
  • Length (short, long)
  • Width (thick, thin)
  • Texture ( rough, smooth)
  • Curvature (straight, curved, angular)
• Can be used to:
  • Define shape and form
  • Create movement and energy
  • Suggest texture and pattern
  • Create depth and perspective

Shape

• A self-contained area with height, width, and depth
• Can be:
  • Geometric (e.g. square, circle, triangle)
  • Organic (e.g. free-form, natural)
  • Positive (actual shape) or negative (space around shape)
• Can be used to:
  • Create form and structure
  • Suggest volume and mass
  • Create pattern and rhythm
  • Convey emotion and mood

Value

• The lightness or darkness of a color
• Ranges from pure black to pure white
• Can be used to:
  • Create contrast and emphasis
  • Suggest volume and three-dimensionality
  • Create mood and atmosphere
  • Guide the viewer's eye through the composition

Form

• A three-dimensional volume created by lines, shapes, and values
• Can be:
  • Geometric (e.g. cube, sphere)
  • Organic (e.g. natural, free-form)
  • Abstract (non-representational)
• Can be used to:
  • Create volume and mass
  • Suggest texture and structure
  • Create movement and energy
  • Convey emotion and meaning

Texture

• The surface quality of an artwork
• Can be:
  • Visual (created through illusion)
  • Tactile (actual physical texture)
• Can be used to:
  • Create sensory experience
  • Suggest materiality and authenticity
  • Add depth and interest to a composition
  • Convey emotion and mood

Elements of Art

Line

• A continuous mark made on a surface by a drawing tool with varying characteristics:
  • Direction (horizontal, vertical, diagonal, curved)
  • Length (short, long)
  • Width (thick, thin)
  • Texture (rough, smooth)
  • Curvature (straight, curved, angular)
• Used to define shape and form, create movement and energy, suggest texture and pattern, and create depth and perspective.

Shape

• A self-contained area with height, width, and depth, classified as:
  • Geometric (e.g.square, circle, triangle)
  • Organic (e.g.free-form, natural)
  • Positive (actual shape) or negative (space around shape)
• Used to create form and structure, suggest volume and mass, create pattern and rhythm, and convey emotion and mood.

Value

• The lightness or darkness of a color, ranging from pure black to pure white.
• Used to create contrast and emphasis, suggest volume and three-dimensionality, create mood and atmosphere, and guide the viewer's eye through the composition.

Form

• A three-dimensional volume created by lines, shapes, and values, classified as:
  • Geometric (e.g.cube, sphere)
  • Organic (e.g.natural, free-form)
  • Abstract (non-representational)
• Used to create volume and mass, suggest texture and structure, create movement and energy, and convey emotion and meaning.

Texture

• The surface quality of an artwork, classified as:
  • Visual (created through illusion)
  • Tactile (actual physical texture)
• Used to create a sensory experience, suggest materiality and authenticity, add depth and interest to a composition, and convey emotion and mood.