The elements of art and

principles of design
Grade level 9-10th
Prepared by Ms. Yoon
Objective:
The student will Analyze and reflect on works of art by their elements and
principles and choose and evaluate artistic subject matter, themes,
symbols, ideas, meanings, and purposes.

CA Content Standards:
1.VA:Re9

Classify artwork based on different reasons for preferences using learned art vocabulary.

5.VA:Cn10

Apply formal and conceptual vocabularies of art and design to view surroundings in new ways through
artmaking.
How do you create a work of
Art?
 The elements of art and principles of design are
the building blocks used to create a work of art.

-Elements of Art are the visual "tools" that artists use to create an art work - they
are what makes up an image or an art object: line, shape/form, value, color,
space, and texture.

-Principles of Design are the ways artists use the Elements of Art in an artwork -
this is "what we do with the Elements" - how we arrange them, how we balance
them, what is being emphasized, etc. The principles are: balance, contrast,
repetition, emphasis, and unity.
Let’s start with the elements of art!

The Elements of art is consist with-

As we go please write the
definition and example on
the worksheet------------>
Lines, Shapes and Spaces
-->Line is a mark with greater length than width. Lines
can be horizontal, vertical, or diagonal; straight or
curved; thick or thin.

-->Shape is a closed line. Shapes can be geometric, like

squares and circles; or organic, like free-form or
natural shapes. Shapes are flat and can express length
and width.

-->Space is the area between and around objects. The

space around objects is often called negative space;
Space can also refer to the feeling of depth. Real space
is three-dimensional; in visual art, when we create the
feeling or illusion of depth, we call it space.
Values, Colors and Texture

Value refers to the relative lightness or darkness of a surface-->

Color is light reflected off of objects.

• White is pure light; black is the absence of light.
• Primary colors are the only true colors (red, blue, and yellow)--------------->

Texture is the surface quality that can be seen and felt.

Textures can be rough or smooth, soft or hard.
Textures do not always feel the way they look;
for example, a drawing of a porcupine may look prickly,
but if you touch the drawing, the paper is still smooth--->
Let’s review what we learned so far...You try it!

1. Which element does this picture illustrate? _____________________

2. Which element is represented here?_____________________

3. What is another name for color?_________________

4. Give me an example of artist who uses shapes to represent his work? ___________________

5. What does a form have that a shape does not have?____________________________

Let’s Learn about Principles of Design

Principle of Design is consist with-

Follow along as you fill this chart: You can use them for the quiz!
Principle of Design Definition Example

Balance

Contrast

Repetition

Emphasis

Harmony
 Balance and Unity
Balance in design is similar to balance in
physics. A large shape close to the center can
be balanced by a small shape close to the edge.
A large light toned shape will be balanced by a
small dark toned shape (the darker the shape
the heavier it appears to be)
Unity is relating the design elements to the the
idea being expressed in a painting reinforces
the principle of unity.eg. a painting with an
active aggressive subject would work better
with a dominant oblique direction, course,
rough texture, angular lines etc. whereas a
quiet passive subject would benefit from
horizontal lines, soft texture and less tonal
contrast.
 Contrast, Repetition and Emphasis
Contrast is the juxtaposition of
opposing elements, ex;opposite
colours on the colour wheel - red /
green, blue / orange etc.
Contrast in tone or value - light /
dark. Contrast in direction -
horizontal / vertical.
Repetition with variation is Emphasis gives prominence to part
interesting, without variation of a design. A focal point is a
repetition can become monotonous. compositional device used to create
emphasis. Both emphasis and focal
When variation is introduced,
point are used to attract attention and
although similar, are much more
increase visual and conceptual
interesting to look at. They can no
impact.
longer be absorbed properly with a
single glance.
Let’s Review What WE Learned!
“Through this lesson, you learned the language of
art;the elements of art and principles of design.
When the elements and principles of design work
together create a sense of wholeness, unity is
achieved. Thus, it is important to understand
those languages to create, communicate, express
and analyze the work of art.”
 For the final assessment, please
take a look at this painting and
identify 5(the elements of art) and
5(principles of design)
**You may draw or write**
The Elements of Art

Principles of Design

Breakfast of the Birds, Gabriele Munter. 1934