Elements of a Work of Art

• Subject
• Form
– How pieces construct the whole
• Content
– Intent
– Ideas
– Expression
 Function of the Elements
• Tools
– Line
– Shape
– Value
– Texture
– Color
• Form
– Form the manner in which tools organize to construct
composition
• Composition
– Composition is the overall structure
• Content is the result
Elements of Form
 Harmony
• Repetition
– Pattern
– Motif (Units of Pattern)
• Rhythm
• Visual Grouping (Illusion of Unity)
• Visual Linking
– Shared Edges
– Overlapping
– Transparency
– Interpenetration
– Extensions (Implied and Mapping)
 Variety
• Contrast
• Elaboration (Detail or Specifity)
 Balance
• Horizontal
• Vertical
• Radial
• Symmetrical
• Approximate Symmetrical (Non-identical
mirroring
• Assymmetrical
 Proportion
• Golden Mean or Section
– 1:1.6180
– Occurs in Nature
• Disproportionate Scale (Dominance)
 Dominance
• Designates importance and achieved
through contrast
– Isolation
– Placement
– Direction
– Scale
– Character
 Movement
(Illusion in Static Plane)
• Direction of Formal Element
• Positioning
• Perspective
 Economy

• Simplicity = Clarity = Dominance

Sassetta, The Meeting of Saint Anthony and Saint Paul