Introduction

The elements of art are the key components of a

work of art.

Use these elements According to To attain the

these principles objectives
Line, Form & Proportion, Beauty
Shape, Color, Balance, Rhythm, Expressiveness
Pattern, Texture, Emphasis, Functionalism
Light and Space Harmony
Introduction
To understand or to create a work of art the following basic art
elements are essential i.e.,

 Line
 Shape and form
 Texture
 Pattern
 Space
 Light
 Color
Lines are unidimensional elements.

They connect the two points and create a path.

Line works in a design in the following ways:

• Directing
• Dividing
• Psychological effect
• Optical illusion
 Types of lines

Position wise Shape wise

Vertical Horizontal Diagonal Straight Curved Wavy Curved Elongated

Lines can be used to create height width, stability,
rounding of corners change straight lines to curved
lines to add delicacy, beauty.
 Use of lines in
Interior Design
Vertical lines
Represent dignity, formality, stability,
strength, height, masculinity, positiveness,
alertness, spiritual, boldness, elegance and
divinity

The Empire State Building Brandenburg Gate Skyscraper

• Good example of Art Deco
Berlin Madrid, Spain
Horizontal lines
Represent calm, peace, relaxation, solidity, strength, negative,
passive and duration, and earthy

Software Solutions Community Christian Church

Kansas City, MO Kansas City, MO
Architect: Frank Lloyd Wright, 1990 Architect: Frank Lloyd Wright, 1940
Diagonal lines

Represents
sense of
movement,
interest,
dramatic effect,
restlessness,
indecisiveness,
action, and
activity
Curved lines
Often appear more natural
than angular lines and give
the sense of freedom and
soothing mood

• Curved line seems gracious and

flexible.
• Full curves are active, forceful and
feminine while soft curves are passive,
gentle, feminine, smooth and youthful Sydney Opera House
Jorn Utzon
Zigzag lines Erratic, intense, abrupt, insecurity,
confusion, agitation, fun and busy
Perpendicular lines
These are conflicting, disturbing lines and attract attention.
Converging lines

These give weight, older

look and dragging effect.

Diverging lines

These are youthful, uplifting

and light.
Cross lines
 Four angles are in opposition

 Suggest conflict and contrast

 To be used in decoration in
combination with other less
forceful patterns.
Spirals
These are natural, continuous
and feminine with eye catching
effect.

Wavy lines
Represent feminity, sensuality,
gentleness, excitement, power,
security and grace
Lines of Opposition

Represented by two
straight lines
meeting to form a
right angle.

It implies violence,
between two
opposing forces
Lines of Repetition

• Are an easily recognized form of

harmony and indicates strength.
• Lines repeated at intervals seem
less violent.
Lines of Contradiction

These are sharp, harsh lines, abrupt, not pleasing as when

lines cuts corner of right angle.
Lines of Transition

Are always better even though their

placement is similar to that of contradiction.
Lines create or imply SHAPES

Shapes can be Open or Closed

Lines around a shape are called as CONTOUR lines

Shape and Form

Shape (2D)
 Shape is the two - dimensional contour that
characterizes an object or area.

 Shape can be described as the contour, profile, or

silhouette.

 Shapes are been differentiated into many categories.

 Natural shapes
These represent softness and irregularity
 Geometric shapes
These represent hardness and regularity
E.g.: Rectangle, Circles, Triangles, Squares
 Rectilinear shapes include bed & tables pic

These are also called orthogonal.

Created by lines, planes and volumes positioned at 900 to another.

 Too many rectangles and squares may produce monotony.

 Qualities include clarity, stability, and certainty.

 Pure, strong and its own quality of beauty, easily handles,

fit snugly together, sturdy, unity and rhythm.

E.g.: Houses, rooms, beds, tables, sofas, chairs, benches etc.

 Angular shapes
These include triangles
and pyramids
 These are dynamic; introduce
a note of variety and surprise.

 Most stable forms, still express

greater flexibility by changing
the angles.

 E.g.: Sloping, roof lines,

triangular/ corner tables
Form (3D)
• It is the three - dimensional projection of a shape.

• It has volume, dimension, appears to have mass.

• This element is frequently used in sculpture.

• It may also refer to the overall organization of the

work of art, as a second meaning.
Two essentials of good form/ rules given by Louis:

1. Form of an object should suit its function

E.g.: Outdoor furniture - Weather proof

2. Form of an object should be strongly influenced by material from which

it is made.
E.g.: Furniture - Wood, Vase - brass

Types of forms: There are two types of forms are existent in our visual world.

1. Natural: E.g.: Animals, vegetables, fruits, foliage etc. (Pics pls

2. Manmade: E.g.: Painting, sculpture, music, building etc. (Pics pls
 Additional Resources
Books
 P. Parimalam, A. Andal and M.R. Premalatha. 2008. A Text book of Interior
Decoration. Published by Satish Serial Publishing House, Delhi.  
 Lynn M. Jones and Phyllis S. Allen. 2009. Beginning of Interior
Environments. Tenth Edition, Pearson Education, New Jersey.

Videos
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7VGK7Ty66M
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLT-UpQoX4Q

Weblinks
 https://www.getty.edu/education/teachers/building_lessons/elements_art.pdf
 https://www.thoughtco.com/what-are-the-elements-of-art-182704
 https://courses.lumenlearning.com/atd-sac-artappreciation/chapter/oer-1-9/