Unit 4

Elements and Principles of Art

Lesson 1 - Line and Kinds of Line

A line can be defined in several ways: It is a path made by a moving point; a series of dots; a prolongation of points or
according to Paul Klee is a dot that went for a walk. One definition of a line, however, that captures its essence in the
visual arts is it being an intended mark made by the artist to convey meaning beyond its physical description.

Kinds of lines

Straight lines are geometric, impersonal and differ in the direction that they take. The straight lines may move from left
to right, start from the top going down, slant or move up and down forming angles. Whatever is the direction, each kind
indicates a specific type of emotion.

Horizontal lines - move from left to right or vice versa. It is a line that appears to be laying down.

Vertical Line - start from bottom to top or vice versa. It is a line that appears to be standing.

Diagonal lines - are slanting lines. In the visual art, diagonals suggest two meanings, a positive and a negative one. On
the positive diagonals indicate action and movement i.e. to move forward and act. On the negative, it conveys a feeling
of uncertainty, stress and defeat.

Zigzag lines - Are angular lines that resulted in abrupt change in the direction of a straight line thus forming angles. The
lines are unpleasant and harsh which portrays tension, conflict, chaos, or violence.

Curved lines - are technically curvilinear lines. Curve lines suggest grace, movement and flexibility indicative of life
and energy. When a curve line moves continuously in opposite directions, it forms a wavy line which shows fluidity
because of the gradual change in direction.

Lines can possess a variety of characteristics, depending on shape, density,rhythm, angularity, and the
material that have produced them. Lines may be short or long, fine or thick, heavy or light, wavy or jagged, straight or
curved. As shown in the diagram below (alphabet of lines). No matter what type of line it is, it always has direction.

Lesson 2 - Properties of Color and How Colors Relate and Light and Shadow

Color - The significance of color as an element of the visual arts cannot be over emphasized. People see and perceive
the world as a multitude of colors. Also the materials used by the artists possess characteristics of color. Color adds
beauty and meaning to all forms of art. The world would be a gloomy place if it is devoid of color.
Properties of Color

Hue - It is the name given to the color, for example; red, green, violet and blue.
 For pigments, RED, YELLOW and BLUE are called primary hues. They are considered primary because these
hues cannot be produced from combining any hues.
When two primary hues are mixed in equal amounts, secondary hues are produced. These are ORANGE,
GREEN and VIOLET.
Mixing equal amounts of the primary and secondary hues produces intermediate hues which are RED
ORANGE, BLUE GREEN and BLUE VIOLET.

Value - refers to the lightness or darkness of a color. The value of any hues can be changed by adding a neutral
such as black or white. This results in changing the quantity of light the hue reflects.

Shade - When black is combined with hue.

Tint - When white is added with hue.
Intensity - denotes the brightness or dullness of a color. It gives color its strength. Colors differ in intensity or
vividness. Hues become less intense (dull) when white is added because color becomes lighter in value. The hues’
intensity diminishes when black is added and as the value darkens.

Color harmony is one method of establishing color quality in a composition. There are several ways of creating
harmony that an artist can use. The most common are the following:

Monochromatic harmony - When a single color in the composition is varied in intensity and value by
adding white or black.
Complementary Harmony - results when two colors that are opposite each other in the color wheel are
placed side by side.
Analogous harmony - results when hues that are adjacent or beside each other in the color wheel is used
in a composition.

Color temperature - refers to the relative warmth or coolness of a color. Warm colors are colors that have
YELLOW as its dominant component white cool colors have blue as their dominant component.
Chiaroscuro is the technique of manipulating light and shadow in painting. Masters who have perfected
the use of this technique are Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Rembrandt, and Caravaggio. Rembrandt and Caravaggio
went a step further and exaggerated the use of shadows to an extreme called tenebrism or “dark manner”.
In the local scene, Fernando Amorsolo, also mastered chiaroscuro, but his focus was more on the
manipulation of light rather than shadow.

Lesson 3 - Shape and Classification of Shapes

Shapes - In visual arts, a shape is formed when two ends of a line meet to enclose an area. The area may stand out from
the surface because of a difference in color, value or texture. They may also present themselves as flat or
two-dimensional and solid or three- dimensional on a picture plane.

Classification of Shapes

Natural or organic shapes - those are seen in nature like the shape of leaves, animals, mountains, flowers and
seashells.
 Abstract shapes - those that have little or no resemblance to natural objects.
Non-objective or biomorphic shapes - seldom have reference to recognizable objects, but most often show a
similarity to some organic forms.
Geometric shapes - these are triangles, rectangles, squares, cylinders, cubes.
Sculpture and architecture are three-dimensional forms, which are identified either by mass or volume. When mass is
structured or has a definite shape, it is said to have volume. The sculptor is concerned with volume because sculpture
occupies space. Single volume is the fundamental unit in sculpture.

Lesson 4 - Texture, Methods of creating Space and Movement

Texture - refers to the feel or tactile quality of the surface of an object. It has to do with the characteristic of the surface,
whether it is rough or smooth, fine or coarse, polished or dull, plain or irregular. They also add richness and vitality in
paintings.

Visual texture - in such cases where touching the artwork is not allowed, textured can be perceived by the eyes.

Space - An illusion in the graphic arts. It is created by techniques that add depth and distance to two-dimensional art. In
sculpture and architecture, however, space is actually present.

Methods of Creating Space

Overlapping planes (interposition) - create space when an object covers a part of another object which is
behind it.

Relative size - objects that appear large/big indicate nearness and small-sized objects as distant. Aside from
creating the illusion of space, this can also be interpreted as power and import.

Position on the picture plane (relative height) - In some paintings, spatial representation is based upon the
position of objects relative to the bottom of the frame. Those objects found at the bottom of the frame will appear closer
to the viewer. Farther distances are indicated by the positions of the objects higher on the picture plane. The point of
reference is the horizon line which is the line at the eye level. A picture plane can be divided into three parts;
1. Foreground - the bottom part.
2. Middle ground - where the horizon is.
3. Background - the topmost part.
Perspective - deals with the effect of distance on the appearance of objects. It enables the viewer to perceive
distance and to see the position of objects in space.
Linear perspective - give the perception distance by means of converging lines. It has to do with the direction
of lines and with the size of objects.
Aerial perspective (gradient) - the effect of haze, mist or atmosphere on the object. Near objects are seen in
detail with the full intensity of color and as objects recede, details are lost and objects appear grayer.

Movement
Over the years, artists of the visual arts have manipulated the medium and elements in order to portray motion in their
artworks. They have also experimented on which techniques to employ to be able to incorporate in their works the
perception of movement.

Two ways to present motion or movement in their art

Actual movement - in art, specifically in sculptures results in kinetic art. Actual movements may be achieved
naturally using wind and water or mechanically through some energy source (batteries or electricity).
Implied movement - results when a variety of lines are used together, repeated, change in position, or
decreased/increased in size. This gives the impression of movement in a stationary two dimensional art.

Elements of the Combined Arts

Lesson 5 - Elements of Music

Rhythm - is a movement or pattern with uniform recurrence of accented and accented beat

Melody - is the succession of tones arranged in such a way as to give it a musical sense. It may also refer to the rising
and falling of the tune in time.

Harmony - is the sounding of a series of groups of tones in the same time. It may also refer to the pleasing sound that is
produced when two or more notes are played together. Concordance results when the combination of sounds are in
agreement which makes it sound good while dissonance results when the combination is not pleasant to hear.

Timbre - is tonal quality or the character of the tone that is produced by an instrument or by the human voice. Timbre
allows the listener to distinguish the sound between a guitar and a violin for example. In the same way, people can be
identified by their voices. A man’s voice sounds different from a woman’s voice and an old person’s voice is different
from that of a child.

Form - is the structure or the framework of a composition

Dynamics - is the loudness and softness of the sound in music indicated by symbols to regulate the volume of the

sound.

Elements of Dance

Music plays an important role in the dance to which it is closely related. It should be melodic and harmonious and fits
into the movements of the dance. Music motivates the dancers to move in tune with its rhythm. The background music
of the dance functions to captivate the interest and awe of the audience.

Movement is how the dancers use their bodies to move and create organized patterns. Dancers also use gestures which
express specific emotions or ideas in sign language.
Choreography refers to how the steps and movements are connected for it to be performed in an organized manner. The
choreography guides the dancers’ movements for them to perform the movement, convey the message and tell the story
through body language.

Technique is the skill of the dancer in executing the movements. A good dancer has complete control over the muscles
of the body thus creating grace and fluidity of movements.

Theme is the content or the main ingredient of the dance. It tells what the dance is trying to convey. It has something to
do with the message of the dance.

Design is the planned organization or patterns of movement in time and space. Pattern in time, is provided by rhythm to
be executed in space on a stage or dance floor.

Costume. The type of dance performed and the costumes worn relate closely to the customs, beliefs, and environment
of the people. Costumes enhance the effect of the dance.

Lesson 6 - Elements of Drama

Drama is basically one of the genres of literature that is written primarily to be performed. The performance is done by
actors on stage before a live audience.
Plot is the overall structure of the play. It is concerned about what the story is all about. Traditional plots have a
beginning, a middle, and an ending.The Plot progresses through the following:

Setting is the locale and period in which the story takes place. It includes the scenery, props and costumes used in
staging. It is the background of the play that informs the audience where and when the story will take place.

Characters are the persons involved in the story. They may seem real to the audience depending on how the playwright
structures the dialogues to make the characters come to life. Characters can be the protagonist or the antagonist.
Protagonist is the character from which the story revolves around while the antagonist is the person who challenges the
role of the protagonist.

Dialogue refers to the words uttered by the characters in the story. It what the characters use when conversing with each
other or when expressing his thoughts and emotions. Dialogues let the audience know the kind of character that the actor
is portraying. There are, however, plays with no dialogues. Pantomimes rely heavily on actions, gestures, facial
expression and sound effects.

Theme is what the story means. It is how the individual elements are put together to give the story significance and
perspective. It relates something about life that is presented in its totality. The theme may be directly or indirectly stated.

Lesson 7 - Elements of Theater

Theater art is performed live. Its performance is immediate and once performed cannot be undone. Its magic
begins when the curtains are raised and the stage lights go on.

The Playwright’s role is to work out the plot in terms of the actual actions to be performed and dialogue to be spoken
by actors within the limited facilities of the stage.
The Performers are the ones who portray the characters in a play.
The Director works with the playwright to present which is interpreted and translated into dramatic action.
Production Design includes the scenery, props, make-up, costumes, lights, music, sound and all other special effects
used in a theater production.

Lesson 8 - Elements of Cinema (Motion Picture)

Acting and the Stars.Acting is the art of portraying or impersonating a character in the story. A performer during
filming should embody the character he is portraying. The actor’s portrayal must be perfect and complete.

Set and Directors should know the setting of the story and build artificial sets.
1. Curiosita is approaching life with a heightened level of wonder and continuous search to know and learn more.
2. Dimostrazione is the commitment to test knowledge and to persist in this task, which includes experiencing both
success and failures in undertaking.
3. Sensazione is experiencing life through refinement of the senses. For example, the eyes should do more than
see, it should be able to distinguish between the beauty of various colors, note minute details and savor the
physicality of everything the world has to offer.
4. Sfumato literally translates to “going up in smoke”. It is accepting life’s paradoxes and uncertainties. It is
knowing and realizing that not everything is cause and effect and that events happen that even logic can explain
5. Arte/Scienza is finding a balance between art and science or logic and imagination. This relates to the concept
of a whole brain thinking (not just the left and right brain).
6. Corporalita is taking care of one’s body. Ensuring that healthy habits are practiced and sustained. A sound mind
is usually the product of a sound body and vice versa.
7. Connessione is realizing that all things are interconnected. It is discovering patterns in the way things work and
how things and lives work out. Interconnectedness is seeing how events in the past led to the present state of
affairs. A closer study of history would make one realize how events in the past explains the present.
Lesson 9 - Principles of Art

Generally, the visual arts are made-up of three key elements that are independent of each of their
specific elements. In the appreciation of the visual arts, these three elements present themselves as:

Form refers to how specific elements in the artwork are organized to produce a unified whole.
Form is further classified into:
Primary Features. This is how the artwork appears to the viewers.Its physical attributes in terms of
medium, color, texture and size.
Secondary Features. This is how the primary features of the artwork relate to one another.
Particularly, this refers to balance, proportion, unity and harmony that are used to create the whole
composition.
Content refers to the message the artist wants to convey through his art. The levels of content
are:
Factual is the literal interpretation of the work, its images, attributes, actions and poses.
Conventional level takes into consideration the basic genres and the figurative meanings usually
indicated by familiar signs and symbols and the quality of work.
Subjective level takes into consideration the effect of form and content on the viewers of the art.

Context refers to the various circumstances that influence how a work of art was produced and
interpreted. The two types of context are:
Primary context pertains to the characteristic of the artist, his personality, beliefs, interests and
values.
Secondary context pertains to the setting. The historical period, time in which the work was
produced. Included here are the functions served by the art work, its religious
and philosophical conviction, socio political and economical undertones, climate and geography.

Lesson 10 - Principles of Design

The principles of design describe the ways in which an artist has used or can use the elements of art
to create beautiful compositions. (Grieder 1996)

Balance is the distribution of the visual weight of objects, color, texture and space. The use of
these elements should be balanced to make the viewers see and feel design as stable. Three types of
balance:

Symmetrical balance results when the elements used on one side of the design are similar to those
on the other side.

Asymmetrical balance is when the sides of the composition are different but still looked balanced.
 Radial balance is achieved when the elements are arranged around a central point.
Elements may exhibit similarities as they spread around the central point.

Emphasis is the part of the design that catches the viewer's attention. The artist will usually
make one area stand out by contrasting it with other areas.

Movement is the path the viewer's eye takes when looking through the work of art. Such
movement can be implied along lines edges, shape, and color within the work of art.

Pattern is the repetition of objects, shapes, lines, or symbols all over the space or picture plane.

Proportion is the feeling of unity created when all parts relate well with each
other.

Repetition works with patterns to make the work seem active. The repetition of elements of
design creates unity within the artwork.

Rhythm is created when one or more elements of design are used repeatedly to produce a
feeling of organized, continuous, sometimes flowing movement. To keep rhythm exciting and active,
variety is important.

Variety is the use of several elements of design that adds interest in order to hold the viewer's
attention and guide the viewer’s eye through and around the work of art.

Unity is the feeling of harmony between and among the parts of the work of art, which creates a
feeling of completeness in the composition.

Lesson 11 - The Rule of Thirds and the Seven Da Vincian Principles

The Rule of Thirds is used by visual artists (painters, digital artists, and photographers) to create
compositions that meet the requirements for a good design. Most artists today, however, do not use this
rule, they opt for free flowing composition that is more of their individual expression rather than of
works limited or bounded by basic rules. The point of this discussion is to encourage artists to first be
aware of the basic rules before they start venturing to unorthodox techniques in expressing their art.

The Rule of Thirds

The surface with two equally spaced vertical lines and two equally spaced horizontal lines.
These lines divide the picture plane into nine equal parts with four intersecting
points.
Based on studies, placing an object in one of the intersecting points results in a pleasing
composition.
● Balance is achieved by placing another object at the point opposite the first one.
 The major function of the Rule of Thirds is to serve as a guide for visual artists on the proper
placement of their subjects on the picture plane to achieve a more interesting composition. Placing the
subject at the center does not provide enough interest for viewers to be able to appreciate the work.

The Seven Da Vincian Principles

Leonardo da Vinci was more than an artist. He was also an architect, scientist, inventor,
anatomist, geologist, historian and writer. Through the centuries, Da Vinci influenced various areas in
many disciplines. Based on the research conducted by Michael J. Gleb (born 1952), specifically, in his
book “How to Think like Leonardo da Vinci” (1998), da Vinci’s genius was based on 7 principles which
he called the seven da Vincian Principles.