Contemporary

Philippine Arts
from the Regions
Quarter 1 – Module 4:
 Elements of Art and Principles of composition
 Forms of Arts from the different Regions
 What I Need to Know

This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here to help you master
the nature of Biology. The scope of this module permits it to be used in many different
learning situations. The language used recognizes the diverse vocabulary level of
students. The lessons are arranged to follow the standard sequence of the course.
But the order in which you read them can be changed to correspond with the
textbook you are now using.

The module is divided into two lessons, namely:

 Lesson 1 – Elements of Art and Principles of Composition

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. understand how contemporary artist use the elements of art to convey
ideas values and feelings through diligent observation and attention to
the works; and
2. explain the close connection and dynamic interaction between the
elements of art and the cultural, social, historical, and personal factors
within particular societies through a written and oral report,
3. create an integrative artwork that will demonstrate the interrelationship
between the arts and their elements,

What I Know

Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a separate sheet of
paper.

1. When several lines come together, they create _________, which can be very
thin, washed, or very thick, rough, or fine.
A. Texture
B. Shape
C. Value
D. Composition in space
2. It possesses length, width, and volume.
A. Texture
B. Shape
C. Value
D. Composition in space
3. Refers to the hue’s brightness or darkness.
A. Subject
B. Themes
C. Line
D. Value or Tone
4. It involves the relationship between figures and elements.
A. Color
B. Shape
C. Value
D. Composition in space
5. It is characterized by different and intense colors, creating a desolate
nightmarish landscape.
A. River of Life
B. Church of the Holy Sacrifice
C. representational
D. chiaroscuro
6. It occurs in two-dimensional design as rhythm or through the recurrence of
motifs.
A. Texture
B. Shape
C. Movement
D. Composition in space
7. This refers to forms that are two-dimensional or three-dimensional.
A. Texture
B. Shape
C. Value
D. Composition in space
8. It exists as planes having length and width.
A. Hue
B. Movement
C. Two-Dimensional
D. Three-Dimensional
9. Some artists use color as ______________ element intending to depict the
world as accurately as possible.
A. River of Life
B. Church of the Holy Sacrifice
C. representational
D. chiaroscuro
10. It refers to the gradations of tone from light to dark.
A. Color
B. Shape
C. Value
D. Composition in space
11. It is associated with the body’s axis as it moves toward different directions
and adjusts to a point of reference.
A. Subject
B. Themes
C. Line
D. Value or Tone
12. It varies in saturation, intensity, or brilliance.
A. Hue
B. Movement
C. Two-Dimensional
D. Three-Dimensional
13. It is characterized by an Altar at the center instead of the opposite end of the
entrance.
A. River of Life
B. Church of the Holy Sacrifice
C. representational
D. chiaroscuro
14. It is a work by National Artist Vicente Manansala that features transparent
planes.
A. Stations of the Cross
B. Bonifacio Monument
C. River of Life
D. Church of the Holy Sacrifice
15. It is a work of National Artist Guillermo Tolentino in Caloocan that has a
circular composition, fitted for its position at the center of a busy rotunda.
A. Stations of the Cross
B. Bonifacio Monument
C. River of Life
D. Church of the Holy Sacrifice
 Elements of Art and
Lesson Principles of
3 Compositions/Art forms
found in the different
Regions
In the previous lesson, we have learned the Filipino artists’ roles and their
contribution to contemporary arts. In this lesson, we pay close attention to the
formal elements which are rooted in the person’s psychophysical experiences and
the social and artistic conventions of a particular culture, its history, and traditions
the same with the different art forms found in the different regions.

What’s In

To begin with, let us take a look at some examples of works of National

Artists and their contribution to contemporary arts.

1. Oblation – a sculptural work by the classically trained sculptor

Guillermo Tolentino (awarded 1973) depicting a male nude with arms
outstretched as a gesture of sacrifice and freedom. In the previous
lessons, we remember Tolentino as a proponent of the academic
tradition in sculpture much like Fernando Amorsolo.
2. Barter of Panay – Jose Joya’s mural in the Virata School of Business
is rendered in the Expressionist style and consists of soft overlapping
planes of black, white, orange, brown, and golden yellow. Without
rendering human forms, the solid color palette establishes links to the
legend, referencing the trade between Datu Puti and King Marikudo,
the former bearing gold access to purchase the lowlands of Panay.
3. Church of the Holy Sacrifice in UP Diliman – the church is
recognized as a National Historic Landmark as well as a cultural
treasure by the National Historical Institute (now known as National
Historical Commission of the Philippines) and by the national
museum, respectively. It consolidates the works of five National
Artists: Locsin for architecture and four other modernists in the visual
arts.
4. Tales of the Manuvu – performed at the CCP in 1985 also benefitted
from the efforts of several National Artists. Recounting the origins of
the Manobo people, the scholar poet, and teacher Bienvenido
Lumbera, National Artist for literature (awarded 2006) wrote the
libretto, while National Artist for Dance Alice Reyes (awarded
2014)founder of Ballet Philippines, choreographed the performance.
5. A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino – The story revolves around a
painting of the same title, dedicated by a crippled artist to his two
unmarried daughters, Candida and Paula. This was made by the poet,
novelist, and playwright National Artist for Literature Nick Joaquin
(awarded 1976)

Notes to the Teacher

The following works of national artist is not limited into five
examples. You may wish to add more localized examples for the
students’ better understanding.
 What’s New

What are the elements of art?

The elements of art, like mediums and techniques are aspects of the form.
However, these elements do not exist in the vacuum. They convey meaning and
express ideas and feelings. They are firmly rooted in psychophysical experiences in
particular cultures, their values, their priorities, and their conventions.

Element of Art Definition and Example of Art forms

from different Regions
Line In the visual arts, it refers to the quality
of the line, weather thin, broken, thick,
or blended, among others. When several
lines come together, they create texture.

For example, those entering the UP

DILIMAN campus from the University
Avenue will be welcomed halfway
through the diagonal lines of the “waiting
sheds” of the University Gateway, ca.
1960 sculpture of National Artist
Napoleon Abueva. The long approach
through University Avenue emphasizes
the distinction of zones.
Color It is associated with our experiences of
cold and warmth, and the quality of light
in our tropical environment, the cycles of
night and day, of darkness and light.
One of its aspects is Hue, which has to
do with how light waves of various
lengths and rapidity of vibrations bounce
off objects and enter our eyes.
Hues vary in saturation, intensity, or
brilliance. Another aspect, value or tone,
refers to Hue's brightness or darkness.
Visual artists use colors in different
ways, depending on their styles and
preferences. Some artists use color as a
 representational element, intending to
depict the world as accurately as
possible. Portraits approximate skin tone
and color; landscape and still life depict
actual conditions of the environment
through shading, the play of light and
dark or chiaroscuro.

Most contemporary and modern artists

are more personal and expressionists in
their use of color. In the River of Life,
1954, modern artist Gallo Ocampo
colored the bodies, the trees, and the
earth very differently and intensely,
creating a desolate, nightmarish
landscape that conveys his idea of
extreme suffering in a depleted world.
Value It refers to gradations of tone from light
to dark. In representational paintings, it
is shading, blending, and chiaroscuro.
Non-representational use of value is also
useful in black and white photography
where images were given unique
character and meaning. But can also be
useful in documentations, as in black
and white I.D. photos or reportage
practices like journalism.
Texture It refers to how objects and surfaces feel,
and it is most associated with the sense
of touch or tactility. Textures are created
when several lines were combined. The
combination may be described as
smooth, translucent, fine, satiny, velvety,
sandy, furry, feathery, slimy, rough,
rugged, thick, thin, and so on. For
example, in weaving, the barong, and
saya fabrics that are translucent and
delicate in texture.
Shape It refers to forms that are two-
dimensional (shape exist as planes
having length and width) or three-
dimensional (shapes possess length,
width, and volume) Shapes can either be
geometric (rectilinear or curvilinear)
biomorphic (free inventions)
 Stylized and abstract shapes can be seen
in local textiles like binakol by the
Tinggians of Abra. In wood carving, the
Maranao okir features the
sarimanok.In paintings the Stations of
the Cross by the National Artist Vicente
Manansala that features transparent
planes, a style associated with the artist.
Composition in Space It involves the relationship between
figures and elements. It also refers to
how these elements are organized and
composed according to principles of
organization, among them balance,
proportion, rhythm, unity in variety,
dominance, and subordination.

National Artist Guillermo Tolentino’s

Bonifacio Monument, 1953 in
Caloocan has a circular composition,
fitted for its position at the center of a
busy rotunda where principal streets
converged. On the other hand, the
Oblation, bronze cast, 1958 is located at
the end of a long University Avenue, the
entrance to the University of the
Philippines Diliman.
Movement It may occur in two-dimensional design
as rhythm or through the recurrence of
motifs, their alternation or progression
unfolding in a series. Movement is also
very much related to the line and the
direction of the eye.
Carlos Francisco’s mural Filipino
Struggles through History, 1964 that
shows a sense of forwarding movement
that captures the fervor and energy of
the Revolution.
PRINCIPLES OF ART: Balance, emphasis, movement, proportion, rhythm, unity,
and variety; the means an artist uses to organize elements within a work of art.

1. Rhythm - A principle of design that indicates movement, created by

the careful placement of repeated elements in a work of art to cause a
visual tempo or beat.
2. Balance - A way of combining elements to add a feeling of equilibrium
or stability to a work of art. Major types are symmetrical and
asymmetrical.
3. Emphasis (contrast) - A way of combining elements to stress the
differences between those elements.
4. Proportion - A principle of design that refers to the relationship of
certain elements to the whole and each other.
5. Gradation - A way of combining elements by using a series of gradual
changes in those elements. (large shapes to small shapes, dark hue to
light hue, etc)
6. Harmony - A way of combining similar elements in artwork to accent
their similarities (achieved through the use of repetitions and subtle
gradual changes)
7. Variety - A principle of design concerned with diversity or contrast.
Variety is achieved by using different shapes, sizes, and/or colors in a
work of art.
8. Movement - A principle of design used to create the look and feeling of
action and to guide the viewer’s eye throughout the work of art.

What is It

In sum, one must be very observant and look at, feel, hear, and sense the
work closely- its material, the techniques the artist used, the elements and
principles of compositions. All works of art, whether traditional, modern, or
contemporary, need to be experienced at the level of the senses, emotions, and the
mind. These forms ask us to see more, hear more, taste, smell, and feel more. In
the process, we gain insights peculiar to the intensity and character of what we
encounter through the arts.
 What’s More

Activity 1: Unlocking Creativity

Use your creative minds by telling what Principles of Art was used in the
following Artworks.

1. 2.

3. 4.

5.
 What I Have Learned

1. In the visual arts, it refers to the quality of the line, weather thin, broken,
thick, or blended, among others.
2. When several lines come together, they create ________.
3. It is associated with our experiences of cold and warmth, and the quality of
light in our tropical environment, the cycles of night and day, of darkness
and light.
4. Some artists use color as a _____________ element, intending to depict the
world as accurately as possible.
5. It refers to gradations of tone from light to dark.
6. It refers to how objects and surfaces feel, and it is most associated with the
sense of touch or tactility.
7. It refers to forms that shape exists as planes having length and width.

8. It involves the relationship between figures and elements.

9. It may occur in two-dimensional design as rhythm or through the recurrence

of motifs, their alternation or progression unfolding in a series.
10. The movement also very much related to ________, and the direction of the
eye.

What I Can Do

Activity 2: Let us Create!

If you were to change any depiction of Rizal or any other figure in the
monument, what kind of image or character would that be? How are you going to
change this monument? What materials will you use and how will you put them
together? Which elements and organizational principles would be stressed in this
new design?
Draw or make a three-dimensional scale model of this new design with
accompanying written explanation.
 Assessment

Multiple Choice. Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a
separate sheet of paper.

1. It occurs in two-dimensional design as rhythm or through the recurrence of

motifs.
A. Texture
B. Shape
C. Movement
D. Composition in space
2. Refers to forms that are two-dimensional or three-dimensional.
A. Texture
B. Shape
C. Value
D. Composition in space
3. It exists as planes having length and width.
A. Hue
B. Movement
C. Two-Dimensional
D. Three-Dimensional
4. Some artists use color as ______________ element intending to depict the
world as accurately as possible.
A. River of Life
B. Church of the Holy Sacrifice
C. representational
D. chiaroscuro
5. It refers to the gradations of tone from light to dark.
A. Color
B. Shape
C. Value
D. Composition in space
6. It is associated with the body’s axis as it moves toward different directions
and adjusts to a point of reference.
A. Subject
B. Themes
C. Line
D. Value or Tone
7. It varies in saturation, intensity, or brilliance.
A. Hue
B. Movement
C. Two-Dimensional
D. Three-Dimensional
8. It is characterized by an Altar at the center instead of the opposite end of the
entrance.
A. River of Life
B. Church of the Holy Sacrifice
C. representational
D. chiaroscuro
9. It is a work by National Artist Vicente Manansala that features transparent
planes.
A. Stations of the Cross
B. Bonifacio Monument
C. River of Life
D. Church of the Holy Sacrifice
10. It is a work of National Artist Guillermo Tolentino in Caloocan that has a
circular composition, fitted for its position at the center of a busy rotunda.
A. Stations of the Cross
B. Bonifacio Monument
C. River of Life
D. Church of the Holy Sacrifice
11. When several lines come together, they create _________, which can be very
thin, washed, or very thick, rough, or fine.
A. Texture
B. Shape
C. Value
D. Composition in space
12. It possesses length, width, and volume.
A. Texture
B. Shape
C. Value
D. Composition in space
13. Refers to the hue’s brightness or darkness.
A. Subject
B. Themes
C. Line
D. Value or Tone
14. It involves the relationship between figures and elements.
A. Color
B. Shape
C. Value
D. Composition in space
15. It is characterized by different and intense colors, creating a desolate
nightmarish landscape.
A. River of Life
B. Church of the Holy Sacrifice
C. representational
D. chiaroscuro
 Additional Activities

From your Cultural Map, select a monument, such as a Rizal Monument that you
have studied in the previous lesson. If a Rizal monument is not present in your
community, you can look for another memorial of a hero to do the work on. And
ask yourself the following questions:

1. How is this monument different from other monuments of a

neighboring town?

2. What is the relationship of this monument to the surrounding space?

3. How is the subject depicted?

4. In which direction are our eyes led to as we look at the monument?

5. How do the elements shape this image?

https://fineartamerica.com/
Printing Company. Quezon City.
Datuin, F.M. et.al. (2016). Contemporary Philippine Arts From The Region. REX
References
What I have
learned
1. Line
2. Texture
3. Color
4. Representation
al
5. Value
6. Texture
7. Two-
Dimensional
8. Composition in
space
9. Movement
10. line
What I Know What's More Assessment
1. A 1. RHYTHM 1. C
2. B 2. GRADATION 2. B
3. D 3. BALANCE 3. C
4. D 4. EMPHASIS 4. C
5. A 5. PROPORTION 5. C
6. C 6. C
7. B 7. A
8. C 8. B
9. C 9. A
10.C 10.B
11.C 11.A
12.A 12.B
13.B 13.D
14.A 14.D
15.B 15.A
Answer Key