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Study Guide in GE 3 – Art Appreciation Module No.4

STUDY GUIDE FOR MODULE NO. 4

Elements and Principles of Visual Arts

MODULE OVERVIEW

This chapter talks about the artists’ employment of the different visual qualities in creating
his/her masterpiece. These qualities are called the elements. These elements of the visual arts together with
the principles of design help the artist to communicate his ideas about a certain subject. The elements of the
visual arts include line, shape, space, form, color, value, and texture. Whereas balance, emphasis, rhythm,
harmony and proportion comprise the principles of design .

MODULE LEARNING OBJECTIVES

At the end of the module, student should be able to

1. Identify the elements of art

2. Analyze the various elements present in visual, auditory, and combined arts
3. Determine dominant elements used in hybrid or combined art expressions
4. Define and translate principles of design in an artwork
5. Create an artwork depicting the various principles of design

LEARNING CONTENTS (title of the subsection)

Elements and Principles of Art

The elements of art and design are considered as the building blocks of art. These are the basics
we use in communicating our views and thoughts about a certain idea. Likewise, these are the tools that the
artist uses to create an exceptional composition of thoughts.

The principles of art represent how the artist uses the elements of art to create an effect and to help
how the artist’s intent (Marder, 2019.) Moreover, the use of these principles can help determine whether a
painting is successful, and whether or not a certain artwork is finished.

I. Elements of Visual Art

A. Line – line is simplest, most basic, most ancient and most universal means for creating
visual art among all other art elements. Through lines, neither thick nor thin, artist can
make a concrete representation of shapes and forms of a figure as well as making
objects stand out against a background for better effect and design.

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Types of Line

i. Horizontal Line – this type of line is parallel to the horizon and do not slant. When you
lie down on a flat surface, your body forms a horizontal line. Horizontal line in art usually
indicates calmness and rest. Landscapes and seascapes are primarily horizontals.
ii. Vertical Line – they start from bottom going up or vice versa. They do not lean.
Verticals show strength, balance, and stability. Monuments, pillars and tall trees also
represent a vertical line.
iii. Diagonal Line – Diagonals look as if they are either rising or falling. Diagonal lines
suggest movement as well as stress, frustration, chaos and violence.
iv. Curved/Curvilinear Line – they are organic, and natural and adjust direction regularly.
This line was represented by wiggly lines forming wavy lines that display graceful
movements.

B. Shape – shapes result from the crossing of lines enclosing an area and separating it from
its surrounding (Fichner, 2019.) Shape is the principal element if identification for it gives
the figure the form. Shape could be 2-dimensional or 3-dimensional. 2-D has length and
width, while 3-D has length, width, and volume.

Categories of Shape

1. Geometric Shapes – are regular and precise and present an industrial feel to the
viewers. It is also known as machine generated or man-made shapes. Geometric shape
includes circle, triangle, square and the like.
2. Organic Shapes – these shapes are derived from any living organism. Oftentimes we
see them in nature and with characteristics that are free-flowing, informal and irregular.
Trees, flowers, birds, fishes, and even sea shells are organic shapes.

C. Form – this refers to the quality or likeness of an entire mass, e.g. form of a woman, form
a dog. Form could be 2 dimensional or 3 dimensional. 2-dimensional arts are usually flat
such as drawing and/or painting which consists length and width. 3-dimensional arts have
mass, which take up length, width and volume.
D. Space – an area above, below, between or within things where other art elements can
interact. Positive space is the space occupied by an object or figure while negative space
are the empty areas.
E. Color – also known as hue. Color is considered as the most expressive of all the
elements of the art. It is also easily recognized in any visual experiences. Its primary
source is from the light where visible light carries all the colors.

Properties of Color

1. Hue – it gives the color its name and the property which distinguishes one color from
another.
2. Value – is the lightness or darkness of a hue or a color. The value could be changed
by adding black (shading) or white (tinting). Value is also the relationship of blacks,
whites and grays.
3. Intensity – also known as saturation. Intensity refers to the brightness or dullness of
color.

Classification of Color

1. Primary Colors – also known as the Original Colors. Red, blue and yellow.
2. Secondary Colors – are produced by combining 2 primary colors. Orange, Green
and violet.

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3. Tertiary Colors – can result from a combination of a primary and secondary color.
Red-orange, yellow-orange, red-violet, blue-violet, yellow-green, blue-green.

F. Texture – this element taps into sensory systems specifically our sense of touch. The
element of texture can be defined as how the surface of the material or object feels and
looks like. Moreover, texture can also be actual or implied texture. Applied texture refers
to the real “feel” and look of the surface of the object while implied texture refers to the
character of texture as shown by the artist in the artwork.

II. Principles of Design

The principles of design characterize how the artist manage the elements of art to
generate an effect and aid to convey his/her message. Basically, these are the strategies in
creating a good and beautiful design. Thus, the effectiveness of elements of art will depend
in the proper usage and manipulation of the principles of design which is the guiding
principles and rules in art. The principles of design are the following:

1. Balance – the principle of balance refers to the visual equilibrium which gives the vieers
the feeling of stability and equality in terms of visual weight of the elements in the
composition. Therefore, visual weight should be equally distributed on each side of the
focal point.

Types of Balance

a. Symmetrical Balance – is the most stable among the kinds of balance. It is

also known as formal balance. Two equal parts of the pictorial plane of an
artwork placed like mirror images of each other.
b. Asymmetrical Balance – also known as informal or occult balance. Elements
on either side of a composition does not reflect one another. Further, this type
of balance displays the other side is dominant than the other.
c. Radial Balance – balance radiate out from the center point in a circular fashion
to all sides or direction.

2. Emphasis – the principle of emphasis is when the artist creates an area in the
composition that is visually dominant and commands the viewer’s attention towards a
particular area. Moreover, emphasis is often achieved by contrast. This principle gives
importance to what truly matters in the artwork.
3. Rhythm – is the regular repetition of elements that can produce implied visual
movement. Artist create visual rhythm by repeating art elements as well as creating
patterns. In this principle of design displays continuance, a flow, or a feeling of
movement by either repetition or repetition with alternation of regulated visual elements.
4. Harmony – this principle can also be described as sameness, the belonging of one
thing with another.
5. Unity – there is unity if all the elements in a composition work together toward a unified
meaning.
6. Variety – this principle creates an interest and appeal un a body of work. Using
differences and change may result to increasing visual interest.
7. Proportion or Scale – the comparative relationship of one part to another with regards
to size. Proportions give a sense of size seen as a relationship of objects. Moreover,
proportion enhances the realistic appeal of an artwork.

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Study Guide in GE 3 – Art Appreciation Module No.4

LEARNING ACTIVITY 1

Activity # 1 Individual Art activity

Create your own coffee art.

Coffee art is a new way of introducing coffee as medium in making an artwork, (painting, drawing, sketching
and printing) Coffee can be consider as indigenous medium. Coffee art is the same with water color
painting. Its procedure is almost the same.

Materials needed:

Coffee

Water

Water color paint brush

Water color paper/oslo paper

Masking tape

Process:

The paper should be protected from excess and accidental stroke of coffee within the edges, masking tape
will protect it. Fix masking tape on four sides of the water color paper/oslo paper. Start working with coffee
art. Paint the desires images which best describe your feelings with reference on the images found from
where you are. The brushstrokes you will use will determined also your emotions that particular time.
Finishing the coffee art by removing the masking tape carefully from the four sides of the water color
paper/oslo paper. If there is available fixative, spray the water color paper, let it dry. This procedure will
protect the artwork from smudging when accidentally spills out into paper any liquid elements.

Sample coffee art painting:

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LEARNING ACTIVITY 2

Activity # 2 Individual Art activity

Create your own original OKIR Art.

Okir is the term for geometric and flowing designs (often based on elaborate leaf and vine pattern) and
folk motifs that can be usually found in Maranao, Magindanao, and Muslims influenced artwork
especially in the Southern Philippines and in some parts of Southeast Asia.

Materials needed:

Pencil

Crayons or oil pastel

Oslo paper

Process:

Consider the basic patterns od Okir, think of design wherein you can use the basic patterns, use
pencil to trace the entire space, fill all the basic patter and it space with colors of your choice, you can
consider color schemes for a great combination of colors. It can be complementary color schemes or
triadic or square color schemes.

Sample Okir Designs:

SUMMARY

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Study Guide in GE 3 – Art Appreciation Module No.4

SUMMARY

The elements of art are color, form, line, shape, space, and texture. The principles of art are,
proportion, unity, variety, rhythm, balance, volume, and harmony. Understanding the art methods will help
define and determine how the culture created the art and for what use.

REFERENCES:

1. Textbook in Art Appreciation by Punzalan, J.F. et.al.

2. Gardner’s Art through the Ages: A Concise History of Western Art, Fred S. Kleiner, 3rd ed, 2012, pp. 1-2
3. Imagination in Teaching and Learning, Kieran Egan, 1992, pp. 12-37
4. Nature and Young Children, 2nd ed., Encouraging Creative Play and Learning in Natural Environments,
Ruth Wilson, 2012, pp 1-17
5. Art Perception and Appreciation, Ortiz et al, 1976, pp 5-12
6. The Humanities, Dudley and Fancy, 1988, pp. 5-22 (Nature of Art)
7. Alampat: An Introduction to Art Appreciation, Perez, Cayas, and Narciso, 2013, pp. 9-12, 15-21.
8. The Humanities, Dudley Fancy and Rice, 1968, pp. 5-12
9. “The Philosophical Concept of Beauty” Jacques Maritain (from Creative Intuition in Art and Poetry), 1953,
pp. 122-127
10. Aesthetics and Art Theory, Osborne, 1970,, pp. 104-107, 142-144, 171-191, 226-283
11. Myths and Symbols Philippines, Francisco Demetrio, SJ, 1978, pp. 406-411
12. MAKING THE THEATRE The Craft of the Stage, Steven Patrick C. Fernande, 2010, pp. 15-20
13. Merce Cunningham: Fifty Years, Vaughan and Harris, 1997, pp.10, 60-61, 100-101 (dance technique)
14. Nature and Young Children 2nd ed, Encouraging Creative Play and Learning in Natural Environments,
Ruth Wilson, 2012, pp.3-17
15. Choreography: A Basic Approach Using Improvisation, Minton, 1986, pp. 18-19
16. Improvisation for the Theater, Spolin, 3rd ed., 1999 (entire book)
17. Culture of Improvisation, Antolihao, 2004, pp.83-84
18. Fundamentals of Art Appreciation, Pagay et. al. 2018.
19. Art Appreciation, Panisan et. al. 2018.
20. A Course Module for Art Appreciation, Roldan et. al. 2019,
21. https://www.liveabout.com/principles-of-art-and-design-2578740

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