ELEMENTS OF ART
VISUAL
BUILDING BLOCKS
LINE SHAPE FORM SPACE COLOR TEXTURE
LINE
refers to a point moving at an identifiable path—it has
length, direction and width.
"simple," it has variations in view of its
orientation/direction, shape, and thickness.
HORIZONTAL AND VERTICAL
LINES
refers to the orientation of the line.
HORIZONTAL LINES
-are normally associated with rest or calm.
Example:
LANDSCAPES
VERTICAL LINES
-connote elevation or height, which is usually taken
to mean exaltation or aspiration for action.
DIAGONAL AND CROOKED
LINES
Diagonal Lines
-convey movement and instability.
Crooked/Jagged Lines
-are reminiscent of violence, conflict, or struggle.
CURVED LINES
-these are lines that bend or coil.
-They allude to softness, grace, flexibility, or even sensuality.
Keith Haring
-first executed the public mural "Todos juntos podemos parar el sida" (Together We Can
Stop AIDS) in Barcelona in 1989.
Francisco de Goya
-Known for his prints, he is a master of etched works and use of aquatint.
Théodore Géricault
"The Raft of Medusa" (1818-19) Oil on canvas. Musée du Louvre, Paris.
SHAPE AND FORM
-that they define the space occupied by the object
of art.
Shape
-refers to two dimensions: height and width.
Form
- refers to three dimensions: height, width, and depth.
A. GEOMETRIC
- these shapes find origin in mathematical
propositions.
-its translation and use are often man-
made. These include shapes such as
squares, triangles, cubes, circles, spheres,
B. ORGANIC
and cones, among others. - organic shapes are those readily occurring
in nature, often irregular and asymmetrical.
The design of the vase in the figure is foliage,
a sample from a series that made use of
morning glories.
"THE MADONNA OF THE MEADOWS"
Depicts three figures:
Mary, the young Jesus (right),
and the young John the Baptist
(left). The positions in which
the group takes allude to a
triangular shape reinforced by
the garb of Mary.
SPACE
-Related to shape and form is space.
-It is usually inferred from a sense of depth, whether it is real or simulated.
Real space is three-dimensional.
-A shape is a graphical representation of an object's form or its external
boundary, outline, or external surface; it is distinct from other object properties,
such as color, texture, or material type.
a. POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE SPACE
- usually identified with the white space is the negative space. The positive space, the
other hand, is the space where shadow is heavily used.
b. THREE-DIMENSIONAL SPACE
- can be simulated through a variety of techniques such as shading. An illusion
of three-dimensionality can be achieved in a two-dimensional work.
COLOR
- one of the elements that enhance the appeal of an artwork.
- Its effect has range, allowing the viewer to make responses based on memory,
emotion, and instinct, among others.
Isaac Newton (1666)
A ray of sunlight passing through a prism
reveals an array of colors akin to that of a
rainbow.
An upshot of this color theory is the creation of
a color wheel.
The color wheel corresponds to the first property of color, hue.
1 a. HUE - this dimension of color gives its name. It can be subdivided into:
· Primary colors - red, yellow, and blue
· Secondary colors - green, orange, and violet
· Tertiary colors - six in total, these hues are achieved when primary and
secondary colors are mixed
2 b. VALUE - this refers to the brightness or darkness of color.
· Light colors - taken as the source of light in the composition
· Dark colors - the lack or even absence of light
· Tint - this is a lighter color than the normal value (e.g., pink for red)
· Shade - this is a darker color than the normal value (e.g., maroon for red)
3 c.INTENSITY
- this is the color's brightness or dullness. It is identified as the strength of
color, whether it is vivid or muted. To achieve a specific intensity of a color, one
may add either gray or its complementary color.
Bright or warm colors - positive energy
Dull or cool colors - sedate/soothing, seriousness or calm
Monochromatic harmonies
- use the variations of a hue. An example is Claude Monet's "Houses of Parliament."
Complementary harmonies
- involve two colors opposite each other in the color wheel. Since they are at
contrary positions, the reaction is most intense
Analogous harmonies
- make use of two colors beside each other in the color wheel.
TEXTURE
-the perceived surface quality of a work of art.
- It may be perceived physically, through the sense of touch, or visually, or
both.
SHARP/DULL HAIRY
ROUGH/ LEATHERY
SMOOTH HARD/SOFT
A. Textures in the two-dimensional plane
- texture can be implied using one technique or a combination of other elements
of art.
B. Surface texture
- refers to the texture of the three-dimensional art object.
The elements of art make it possible to engage with the visual and
tactile qualities of the artwork through a "common language" that may
be widely understood.
LESSON 1
LINE
SHAPE
FORM
SPACE
COLOR
TEXTURE
