Elements and Principles

of Art
Elements of Visual Arts

• Lines
• Shape and Form
• Space
• Color
• Texture
 LINE
• Refers to a point moving at an identifiable
path – it has length direction.
• Although line is “simple”, it has variations
import not only visual elements in the
artwork, but suggest meaning or message
being conveyed by the artist.
• Horizontal - rest/calm
• Vertical –exaltation or aspiration for
action
• Diagonal- movement/instability A quality that is ascribed to lines is its
ability to direct the eyes to follow
• Crooked –reminiscent of violence,
movement or provide hints as to a
conflict or struggle
work’s focal point.
• Curved – softness,grace, flexibility
• Keith Haring – known for using lines to provide the outline or
contour of the figures he portrays in his work.
• He first executed the public mural “Todos juntos podemos parar el
sida” (Together We Can Stop AIDS) in Barcelona Spain in 1989 and
was recreated at the foyer of the Museu d’Art Contemporani de
Barcelona.
• Francisco de Goya – one of
the most important
Spanish artists known for
his prints, he is a master of
etched works and use of
aquatint.
• “Porque esconderlos” (Why
hide them?) Etching and
aquatint
• The raft of
medusa
 Shape and Form
• Shape – refers to two dimensions: height and
width
• Form – refers to the three dimensions: height,
width and depth
2 categories:
Geometric – these shapes find origin in
mathematical propositions
Organic – are those readily occurring in nature,
often irregular and asymmetrical.
• Raphael’s “The Madonna
of the Meadows” depicts
three figures: Mary, the
young Jesus(right), and
the young John the
Baptist(left).
 Space
• Is usually inferred from a sense of depth,
whether it is real or simulated.
• Real space is three-dimensional (ex.sculpture)
 Space
• Not all works are sculptures. In the two –
dimensional artworks they may be implied.
a. Positive and Negative Space – usually identified
with the white space is negative space. The
positive is the space where shadow is heavily
used.
b. Three – dimensional space – can be stimulated
through a variety of techniques such as shading.
An illusion of three-dimensionality can be
achieved in a two – dimensional work.
 Color
• One of the elements that enhances the appeal
of an artwork.
• Not intrinsic to an object and without light,
one cannot perceive color.
Monochromatic Harmonies
use variations of a hue
• Claude
Monet,
“House of
Parliament”
Complementary Harmonies
involve two colors opposite to each other
• Cima de Conegliano
(Giovanni Battista
Cima), “The three
saints: Roch,
Anthony Abbot,
and Lucy”
 Analogous Harmony
make use of two colors beside each other in the color
wheel
• Edgar
Degas,
“Before
the Race”
 Texture
• Can be either real or implied.
• This element in an artwork is experienced
through the sense of touch (and sight). This
element renders the art object tactile.