Elements and Principles of

Contemporary Art Forms

Elements and Principles of
Contemporary Art Forms
ELEMENTS OF ART = Building blocks of an artwork,

PRINCIPLES OF ART = Arrangements of elements

(building blocks)
ELEMENTS OF
CONTEMPORARY ARTS

1. LINE = pertains to the use of

various marks, outlines and implied
lines in artwork and design, most
often used to define shape in two-
dimensional work.
ELEMENTS OF
CONTEMPORARY ARTS

2. SHAPE = Shapes pertain to the

use of areas in two- dimensional
space that can be defined by edges,
setting one flat specific space apart
from another.
ELEMENTS OF
CONTEMPORARY ARTS

3. FORM = Form maybe

created by forming of two
or more
shapes or as three-
dimensional shape (cube,
pyramid, sphere, etc.).
ELEMENTS OF
CONTEMPORARY ARTS

4. COLOR = Color pertains to

the use of hue in artwork
and design
ELEMENTS OF
CONTEMPORARY ARTS

5. TEXTURE = Texture is the quality

of a surface or the way any work of
art is represented. Lines and
shading can be used to
create different textures as well.
ELEMENTS OF
CONTEMPORARY ARTS

6. SPACE = Space is the area

provided for a particular
purpose. It may have two
dimensions (length and
width), such as a wall, or it
may have three dimensions
(length, width, and height).
ELEMENTS OF
CONTEMPORARY ARTS

7. VALUE = Value, or tone,

refers to the use of light and
dark, shade and highlight, in
an artwork. Value is directly
related to contrast.
 PRINCIPLES OF
DESIGNS

1. CONTRAST = Contrast refers to

the arrangement of opposite
elements and effects. Contrast can
be used to create variety, visual
interest, and drama in an artwork.
 PRINCIPLES OF
DESIGNS

2. EMPHASIS = Emphasis refers

to the area of an artwork that
dominates attention or draws
interest. It is often the area a
viewer looks first.
 PRINCIPLES OF
DESIGNS

3. MOVEMENT = Movement can be

thought of in two ways – the first refers to
how an artist depicts movement using the
elements and principles of art. The second
way refers to the visual flow of an artwork,
indicated by the path a viewer’s eyes take
as they look at the artwork. .
 PRINCIPLES OF
DESIGNS

4. RHYTHM = Rhythm is a principle of art

that refers to the movement or action of a
composition, usually achieved through
repetition of lines, shapes, colors, and
more. It creates a visual tempo in artworks
and provides a path for the viewer’s eye to
follow.
 PRINCIPLES OF
DESIGNS

5. PROPORTION = Proportion is
the size relationship between
the various parts of an artwork.
Artists can use scale and
proportion to create sensations
such as depth, realism,
disorientation, and drama..
PRINCIPLES OF
DESIGNS

6. BALANCE = Balance refers to

the distribution of visual
weight in a composition.
Each part of the composition
works with other parts of the
composition to appear equal
and harmonious in balance
 PRINCIPLES OF
DESIGNS

7. UNITY = Unity, also known as

harmony, refers to the
cohesiveness of an artwork—
how whole, consistent, and
complete it appears. Unity is
the pleasing combination of
elements to create a
harmonious composition
 PRINCIPLES OF
DESIGNS

8. VARIETY = Variety refers to

the elements of a composition
that differ from one another.
Variety creates visual interest
and energy
Analyze the painting
Describe the colors in this
artwork
How do the colors in this
artwork made you feel?

What color scheme did

the artist use:
complementary,
analogous, warm, cool,
etc.?