Binalonan, Pangasinan

MODULE 3
Elements of Art

Course Title: Art Appreciation

Course Code: GE 6

Name: __________________________________________________________
Course and Year: ________________________
Contact Number: ________________________
Date and Time Allotment: ________________________

Introduction
This module entitled Elements of Art is about the different elements of art and its importance
that would lead to a composition of art. This includes also the different classifications and examples of
each element that an artist engaged in making an artwork.
A. Pre-activity
Begin by displaying an art to the class. Let the students identify different compositions or parts
that made up that artwork.
I. Objectives
At the end of the end of this lesson, students should be able to:
a. Identify the elements of art in selected works;
b. Learn how art communicates colors, quality of shapes, line movements, and quality of
perspective, and many more elements; and
c. Apply these elements for the creation of an artwork.

II. Lecture
ELEMENTS OF VISUAL ARTS
These are the building blocks of all art. The artist uses art elements and combines them in different ways to
create a unique piece of art. The elements of art are like the ingredients in a recipe. Sometimes artworks contain
only one or two elements. Sometimes they have all the elements of art. One thing is certain, however. There
would be absolutely no art without the seven elements of art.
1. LINE
It is a series of connected dots or a prolongation of a point to
show the shape or form of any piece of art. It is an important
element of visual arts because all painters, sculptors, and
architects use lines as the springboard of their finished
products.
Lines are classified according to position, direction, and
shapes, they carry meaning by themselves.
CLASSIFICATION OF LINES
A. VERTICAL LINES – show height or stature, poise, balance, force, strength, dignity, and dynamism. A tall
tree, a standing man, a bird poised for flight and a flagpole are presented with vertical lines.
B. HORIZONTAL LINES – indicate width, rest, repose, quietness, calmness, serenity, infinity,
contemplation and inaction. A dead or reclining man, a serene sea, a resting animal and a cemetery are
presented with horizontal lines.
C. DIAGONAL LINES - manifest movement, action, and direction. A running man, a flying bird, a galloping
horse, a flowing river, and fireworks display diagonal lines.
D. BROKEN OR JAGGED LINES - connote chaos, confusion, tension, disturbance, violence or war.
E. STRAIGHT LINES – exhibit steadiness, stillness, inactivity, and force. Inanimate objects like buildings
and bridges are shown with straight lines.
F. CURVED LINES – whether concave (inward) or convex (outward) indicate movements that are smooth.
A wide smile, a graceful belly dancer, and flowing hair are shown with curved lines. They may be scroll – like
(sform) or spiral like (winding round).
G.REPEATING LINES – are a succession of vertical (lllllllll), horizontal (------------), diagonal (/////////) or (\\\\\\\\\) or
curved (CCCCCC) lines. They are used to show rhythm.
H. CONTRASTING LINES – are a combination of vertical and horizontal lines (LLLLLLLL) or a combination
of diagonal lines (XXXXXXX or <<<<<< or >>>>>>>) in opposite directions.
I. MODIFIED LINES – are a combination of straight and curved lines ([{}}) or a combination of lines of
varying shapes ({>O<}).
2. TEXTURE
An element of visual arts associated with the sense of touch; the surface characteristic of
an area. An artwork may be smooth or rough, fine or coarse, glossy or dull, regular or
irregular. In sculpture, marble and ivory have a smooth, glossy finish. On the other hand,
wood and stone have rough, dull finish if they are not painted.

3. SHAPE
It is the external appearance of a clearly defined area. It
contributes to the final form of the artwork. Circle and
polygons (triangles, squares,
rectangles, pentagons, hexagons, heptagons,
etc. are put together to make up the whole object.
CLASSIFICATION OF SHAPES:
A. STATIC OR REGULAR – circles and polygons
B. NATURAL – things of nature
C. NON-OBJECTIVE - do not refer to any recognized object
4. SPACE
It is the area or the surface occupied by the artwork. A painting
covers a flat surface such as a wall. Because a sculpture has a
volume, it occupies not only the area on which it stands, but also
the area from the top to the bottom, and from the left to the right
side of the object.
The space around objects is often called negative space;
negative space has shape. 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.
5. VOLUME
It is allied to space, it is the amount of space occupied by an
object in three dimensions.
Pertaining to solidity and thickness, it is perceived in
two ways:
a. by contour lines or outlines of shapes of objects;
b. by surface lights and shadows

6. PERSPECTIVE
It is synonymous with point of view, angle of vision or frame of reference. It is the point
where the artist stands to view his subject as he creates his artwork. It refers to the
location and distance upon the appearance of an object by which his eyes judge spatial
relationships.

Perspective is manifested in two situations:

a. that nearer objects appear bigger and taller than the farther objects and;
b. that parallel lines seem to meet at the farthest end.

7. FORM
It refers to the overall composition of the artwork. It describes the entire shape or
organization of the thing or object created. This includes sphere, cylinder,
pyramid, cone, rectangular prism, etc.

8. VALUE
It refers to the amount of light or shades of
light on the flat surface
Light source - area in which light is
originating from
Value scale - a guide to creating a range of
value, good pieces of art have a full range
of value
Tints - light values
Shades - dark values
Highlights - areas on an object where light
is hitting
Shadows- areas on an object where light does not hit
9. COLOR
It is the most important and most noticeable of all the elements of visual arts.
Dependent on the presence of light, it is that property of an object that makes
it appealing to the visual sense.
A. THREE DIMENSIONS OR CATEGORIES OF COLORS:
1. HUE- the color itself; the name of the color
MONOCHROMATIC – it means the object has only one hue
POLYCHROMATIC – when the object has two or more hues
2. VALUE - the darkness or lightness of color
3. INTENSITY – the dullness or brightness of color
B. THREE CLASSIFICATIONS OF COLORS
1. PRIMARY – main colors of red, yellow, blue

2. SECONDARY – mixture of primary colors (violet, green, orange)

3. TERTIARY, INTERMEDIATE, OR QUATERNARY – mixture of

primary and secondary colors (RV, BV, BG, YG, YO, RO)

CLASSIFICATION OF COLORS:

A. POSITIONS IN THE COLOR WHEEL

1. ADJACENT COLORS – are those colors situated next to each other in the color wheel. Examples are red and
red-orange, yellow and yellow-green, and blue and blue-violet.
2. ANALOGOUS COLORS – are three or four neighboring colors with one color in all mixtures.
When used as a color scheme, analogous colors can be
dramatic. Ex. Blue, blue-green, green, and yellow-green; red,
red-purple, purple, blue-purple

3. COMPLEMENTARY COLORS – are those colors situated

opposite to each other in the color. Examples are red and
green, blue and orange, yellow and violet. Double
complementary colors are two parts of opposite colors
Ex. Blue and orange, red and green, yellow-green and
red-purple.

4. SPLIT COMPLEMENTARY COLORS - are any three colors

forming a Y in the color wheel. Double split complementary
colors are any two sets of three colors forming a Y in the color
wheel.
Ex Blue, yellow-orange and red-orange. Red-orange,
redpurple, green.
5. TRIADIC COLORS – are a set of three colors forming a
triangle in the color wheel.
Ex. Red, blue and yellow or orange, green and purple.
color triad

B. EFFECT ON THE VISUAL SENSE.

6. COOL COLORS – are those colors that are inconspicuous and not
striking to the eyes. Also called receding colors, they suggest distance,
tranquility, sobriety and restfulness. Examples are violet, green, and blue, the
coolest and calmest of all colors.
7. WARM COLORS – are those colors that are conspicuous and striking to
the eye. Also called advancing colors, they suggest warmth, vivacity,
cheerfulness, exultation, stimulation, instinctive action and excitement. They are
usually associated with heat such as sun, fire and light. Examples are orange , yellow, and red
C. VALUES OF COLOR
8. LIGHT COLORS/TINTS – are those colors with values lower than
the normal value. For example, pink or fuchsia is a tint of red and azure
(sky blue) is a tint of blue.
9. DARK COLORS/ SHADES – are those colors with values higher
than the normal value. For example, maroon is a shade of red and navy
blue is a shade of blue

D. OTHER CLASSIFICATION OF COLORS:

10. RAINBOW OR PRISM ATIC COLORS – are those colors that form a rainbow or a prism. These are red,
orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet (ROYGBIV).
11. NEUTRAL COLORS – are those which serve to balance colors. Examples are white, gray, black, brown,
peach, cream, gold, silver, and bronze. White is the absence of all colors, while black is the presence of all
colors. Gray is produced by combining black and white.
COLORS AND THEIR PSYCHOLOGICAL AND OTHER CONNOTATIONS
WHITE – used to connote purity, chastity, holiness, mourning, surrender, meekness and goodness.
BLACK – used to signify death, mourning, darkness and evil
BLUE – used to indicate the sky, the heaven, the sea, serenity, sadness, peace and masculinity.
GREEN – used to connote life, nature, good health and well-being
YELLOW – used to signify jealousy, divinity, deceit, degradation, and lately Ninoy Aquino. It also means joy or
happiness.
BROWN – used to mean the earth, spiritual death and renunciation of the world.
ORANGE – used to indicate food
GRAY – used to signify old age, gloom, and decay
PINK – used to mean love and femininity
III. Application/Activity
List down at least 5 elements of art used on each picture below.

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

IV. Assessment
Create your own logo, emblem, or symbol based on the guiding elements of art. The image art can
be about a particular advocacy you want to promote, a tool or gadget you envision creating in the future,
or just simply you as a future professional.
● What color would represent your envisioned brand?

● What would be the shape and what does it symbolize?

● What is the meaning or message of your logo?

● Draw and color your branding or logo in the box provided.

V. References

● Roldan, Albert Napoleon J., Deliosa, Chloe P. A Course Module for Art Appreciation. REX
Bookstore, 2019

● Menoy, Jesus Z. Introduction to the Humanities: A Holistic Approach. International Book

Royale, Inc.2014

● https://study.com/academy/lesson/what-are-the-seven-elements-of-art-
definitionexamples.html

● https://www.getty.edu/education/teachers/building_lessons/elements_art.pdf ●
https://thevirtualinstructor.com/html