ENG 102: Art Appreciation

Module 5: Elements and Principles of Visual Arts

Week 6: October 10-16, 2022 |1st Semester, S.Y. 2022-2023

Introduction

Behind an artist’s craft is an interweave of elements and principles. The artist may
manipulate the elements and apply the principles of art to produce a unique
expression of his thoughts and feelings. On the other hand, the elements and
principles may be observed and analyzed by the viewers so they could understand
the artist’s perspective.
COURSE MODULE

In this module, you will identify the various elements and principles of visual arts
so you will know how to comprehend art based on the artist’s decisions of the
elements s/he incorporated, and how s/he has portrayed the elements and
principles to express effectively his/her artwork’s meaning and context.

Intended Learning Outcomes

At the end of this module, you will be able to:

• Define elements and principles of art;

• Identify the elements of visual arts;
• Recognize the principles of visual arts, and
• Exhibit the elements and principles of visual arts.

Elements vs. Principles

Before we talk about the core concepts of this module, it is important that we know the
differences between an element and a principle in relation to arts.

When we talk about elements, we are talking of the basic components that make up the
artwork. Elements are observable parts of the artwork, particularly with visual arts, which are
directly seen by the eyes or directly felt by the sense of touch.

On the other hand, the principles are the rules that the artist follow or defy from. Principles
cannot be seen immediately, rather have to be reflected upon, because these are decisions
that the artist has made so s/he could achieve what is ought to be exhibited or portrayed in
the work.

Take the artwork above as an example—The Great Wave of Kanagawa by Katsushika

Hokusai. One element we could pick out from this whole image is the lines that make the
wave. However, the lines are curved, in which, by principle, means change and fluidity. This
is the reason why the artist incorporated the line element and at the same time chose to
have the lines curved so he could portray rightfully the nature of the wave.
 In the world of arts, elements and principles go hand in hand, in fact, they cannot be
separated because most often than we know, principles drive the artist to manipulate the
elements s/he incorporates in his/her creative process however he/she may choose to. The
elements serve as the tangible and concrete expressions of artistic choices.

The Visual Art Elements and their Underlying Principles

.
Element #1: Line
Lines are used to control where they eyes will lead and focus or are used to delineate
shapes and indicate texture whether it is rough, smooth, thin, or thick. Lines are important
because they indicate movements and directions.

• Horizontal line- expresses serenity, rest, stability in general

COURSE MODULE

• Vertical line- implies growth, authority, confidence, and poise

• Diagonal line- growth, pursuit, persistence, dynamism
• Curved line- connotes change, direction, movement, femininity, uncertainty, grace
• Jagged line- expresses erraticism, anxiety, turmoil, inconsistency

Let us observe the line element on this painting of a ballerina by Kovalenko.

Element #2: Shape

Shapes are two-dimensional, flat elements that are generally enclosed spaces. Shapes
in art can be used to control how the viewer perceives a piece. There are two major
classifications of shape which are the organic and the geometric shapes.

Organic shapes are those with a natural look and a flowing and curving appearance.
They are typically irregular or asymmetrical and are associated with things from the natural
world, like plants and animals. On the other hand, geometric shapes are circles, rectangles,
squares, triangles and so on, that have the clear edges one achieves when using tools to
create them. Most geometric shapes are easily measurable.

Shapes actually tell us which belongs to nature and what is man-made because we
recognize them from what is around us.
 Element #3: Form
Form connotes something that is three-dimensional and encloses volume, having length,
width, and height, versus shape, which is two-dimensional, or flat. A form is a shape in three
dimensions, and, like shapes, can be geometric or organic.

Element #4: Color

COURSE MODULE

Color is the element of art that involves light. It is produced when light waves strike an
object and are reflected into our eyes. It consists of three properties: hue, intensity, and value.

Hue simply refers to the name that is given to a color, such as red, yellow, blue, purple,
green, orange, etc. On the other hand, intensity (or saturation) refers to the purity or
dullness of a color. Purity is determined by whether or not a color has been mixed with
another color and if so, to what degree. Colors straight from the tube are considered the
most intense. Those mixed with other colors are considered less intense. There are two
methods that can be used to dull the intensity of a color: 1) Mix the color with gray, and 2)
Mix the color with its complement. Lastly, value is the lightness or darkness of a color. A color’s
value changes when white or black is added. Adding white creates a “tint” of that color and
adding black creates a “shade”.

Using color effectively in the creation of art involves understanding three basic areas:
the color wheel, color value, and color schemes or as it is also referred to, color harmony.
The Color Wheel

Basic Color Wheel

The color wheel (sometimes called a color circle) is a handy tool often used by artists and
interior decorators as a visual aid in understanding the relationship between colors. It was
developed in 1666 by Sir Isaac Newton when he took the color spectrum and bent it into a
circle. The color wheel is a circular chart divided into 12 sections with each sector showing a
different color. It is made up of three different types of colors – primary, secondary, and
tertiary. The term “tertiary” means third, by the way.

Primary colors are red, yellow, and blue. These colors are equally distanced apart on the
color wheel. There only three primary colors and they are the most basic colors on the wheel.
They cannot be created by mixing any other colors together and can only be derived
through natural pigments. All other colors found on the color wheel can be mixed from these
three basic colors.
 Secondary colors are orange, green and purple (or violet). These colors are created from
mixing equal parts of any two primary colors together.

Red + yellow = orange

Yellow + blue = green
Blue + red = violet (purple)
COURSE MODULE

Tertiary colors are red-purple, red-orange, blue-green, blue-purple, yellow-green, and

yellow-orange. There are six tertiary colors and they are the result from mixing equal parts of
a primary color with a secondary color. The proper way to refer to tertiary colors is by listing
the primary color first and then the secondary color. That’s why tertiary colors are referred to
by a two word name.

Red + violet (purple) = red-violet (red-purple)

Red + orange = red-orange
Blue + green = blue-green
Blue + violet (purple) = blue-violet (blue-purple)
Yellow + orange = yellow-orange
Yellow + green = yellow-green

Element #5: Texture

Texture refers to the surface quality in a work of art. We associate textures with the way
that things look or feel. Everything has some type of texture. We describe things as being
rough, smooth, silky, shiny, fuzzy and so on.

Texture is experienced in two ways — with touch (tactile) and with our eyes (visually). Fine
artists often use texture in the following ways to:

• create a focal point

• add interest
• provide contrast
• visually balance their compositions

Texture is essential in paintings to make objects appear to be real. Even in abstract

paintings texture can serve to enhance the viewers experience by suggesting certain feelings
or mood regarding the artwork. Texture can also serve to organize and unify various areas of
a composition.
 Texture can either add to or take away from the overall effect of the composition. When
it is used haphazardly or in the wrong way, it can confuse or clutter the painting. However,
when used with deliberate skill, texture will bring a composition together creating the illusion
of realism and adding unity.

Element #6: Space

Space refers to the distance between or the area around and within shapes, forms, colors
and lines. Space can be positive or negative. It includes the background, foreground and
middle ground. Both positive and negative space can play important roles in the overall
success of a work of art. By understanding the difference between the two, you will:

• Become better at designing unified compositions.

• Be more successful in visually communicating your story.
• Gain important clues about the meaning of an art piece.
COURSE MODULE

There are two types of space that exist within art — positive space and negative space.
Positive space is the actual objects or shapes within an artwork and negative space is the
space around and between those objects. A good way to demonstrate positive and
negative space is by utilizing Rubin’s vase. (Refer to illustration.) As you can see the vase
occupies what would be referred to as positive space and the space surrounding the vase
is negative space. Notice how the negative space is forming silhouettes of two faces in
profile.

Positive Space

Positive space is the area or part of the composition that an object or subject occupies.
It is usually the main focus of the painting, such as a vase of flowers, fruit, or candle in a still
life, a person’s face in a portrait, or an animal in a wild life painting, or a building, trees and
hills in a landscape. When used skillfully, positive space will add interest by enhancing and
balancing the negative space in a composition.

Negative Space

Negative space is that empty or open space that surrounds an object. It helps to define
the object, gives it some breathing room to prevent the painting from being too crowded
and has a huge impact on how the art piece is perceived.

An interesting thing about negative space is it can be used to prompt viewers to seek
out subtle hidden images within the negative space causing your design to get more
attention and to be remembered while other less interesting works aren’t.

Why is negative space so important?

• It can add interest and is an excellent way to draw attention to your works of art. A
good balance between great negative space and intrigue will cause the viewer to
desire more time looking at your work of art.
 • It can draw the viewer in giving them a sense of inclusion because they discovered
a subtle hidden message or image in the composition. Even though it may be a
simple composition, great negative space reveals there is more to the piece than
first meets the eye making it a more rewarding experience for the viewer.
• It gives the eye a “place to rest,” thereby adding to the subtle appeal of the
composition. The equal amounts of both negative and positive is considered by
many to be good design.

Element #7: Value

Value is a basic element of art that refers to the gradual change of lightness or darkness
of a color. It is created when a light source shines upon an object creating highlights, form
shadows and cast shadows.
COURSE MODULE

Value is most evident on the gray scale where black is represented as lowest or darkest
and white is represented as the highest or lightest value. Or more simply said, they are the
various shades of grey between white and black. Artists us them to create highlights and
shadows (shading) in objects and create depth in their paintings or drawings.

Colors can have value too. In painting, value changes can be achieved by adding either
black or white to the chosen color. Some colors, like yellow and orange, are naturally light in
value.

For your Activity, Quiz, and PIT, kindly ask your Art Appreciation instructor.

• Sonsona, et al. (n.d.) Art Appreciation: Perception and Expression. PanAsia

Book Exchange Inc. Philippines.