Elements of Art and Principles of Design

Elements of Art

Line: Lines are marks made by a pointed tool: brush, pencil, pen, etc. Lines can vary in width, direction, curvature, length, or color. 

  

The element of lines is present because the poles shows obvious lines and vertical presence. 

                 The element of art, lines, is present in this image because there are clear lines created by the bridge and handles or railing provided.

Shape: Shapes are formed wherever the ends of a continuous line meet. Geometric shapes such as circles, triangles or squares have perfect, uniform measurements and don't often appear in nature. Organic shapes are associated with things from the natural world, like plants and animals. 

The element of shape is present in this painting because there is obvious shape in the man and woman's clothes. Theres also shape in the "ground" they are standing on.

The element of shape is present in this photo because the blocks make clear shape which is square.

Color: Color wheels show the primary colors, secondary colors, and the tertiary (intermediate) colors. They also show the relationships between complementary colors across from each other, such as blue and orange; and analogous (similar or related) colors next to each other such as yellow, green, and blue. Black and white may be thought of as colors but, in fact, they are not. White light is the presence of all color; black is the absence of reflected light and therefore the absence of color. 

The element of color is present in this painting because of the bright yellows, reds, and oranges. They all give and emphasis to the man in the center.

The element of color is very present in this photo because of the rainbow type light being shown on the hands.

Value (Tone): Value, or tone, refers to dark and light; the value scale refers to black and white with all gradations of gray in between.  Value contrasts help us to see and understand a two-dimensional work of art. 

The element of value or tone is present in this painting because the shading from dark to light all around the ball and all inside the reflection prove well value or tone.

The element of value or tone is present in this photo because there is clear dark and light value shown on the flower inside of the petals.

Form: Form describes objects that are three-dimensional, having length, width, and height. 

I believe this painting is the element of form, because each head is there-dimensional and has at least a length and width to them.

This photo presents the element of form, because the box or square has clear length, width, and height and is taken from an angle where you can clearly see its three-dimensional.

Texture: Texture can be rough, bumpy, slick, scratchy, smooth, silky, soft, prickly--the list is endless.  Texture refers to the surface quality, both simulated and actual, of artwork. 

This painting presents texture, because the artist made the background look like rock, and the rock look has a  lot of texture. 

The element of texture is present in this photo, because the little stems or leave like things create texture on the  green plant. 

Space: Space refers to distances or areas around, between, or within components of a piece. Space can be positive (white or light) or  negative (black or dark), open or closed,shallow or deep, and two-dimensional or three-dimensional. 

The element of space is present in this painting because there is obvious space between each tree and you can see the clear distance and area around the trees.

The element of space is present in this photo because as you look through the glasses and at the bottom of the glasses you can see the small spaces between them.

Principles of Design

Balance: Balance is the comfortable or pleasing arrangement of things in art.  There are three different types of balance: symmetrical, asymmetrical, and radial. The human figure is symmetrically balanced; the same on the left and right side. The tree is asymmetrically balanced; its branches are not distributed equally on each side, but their total weight is balanced left and right. The sun is an example of radial balance; all its rays are equal in length from the center. 

The principle of balance is present in this painting, because there is well balance in how the men are placed in the room. Each man or group of man balances out the other groups.

This photo presents the principle of balance, because there is clear symmetrical balance in the butterfly's wings, and how its evenly placed on the flowers.

Contrast: Contrast is created by using elements that conflict with one another. Often, contrast is created using complementary colors or extremely light and dark values. Contrast creates interest in a piece and often draws the eye to certain areas. It is used to make a painting look interesting. 

This painting shows the principle of contrast in how the colors in her dress and hair are complementary to the colors behind her in the background. The two tone colors creates much contrast in the painting.

The principle of contrast is present in this photo, because there is obvious color contrast in the orange fish to the other silver fish.

Emphasis: Emphasis in the focal area of an artwork gives it importance.  An artist may stress some elements of the design over others. The eye of the viewer will focus on the area of emphasis or center of interest first, then take in the rest of the composition.

The principle of emphasis is present in this painting, because the man is all black and the artist added bright flashy colors to the flower to give emphasis to them.

The principle of emphasis is present in this photo in how the bench in the background is gray or brown, so because its gray it puts clear emphasis on the orange man who is the focal point of the photo.

 
Movement: Movement in an artwork means the artist is taking viewers on a trip through the work by means of lines, edges, shapes, and colors often leading to the focal area.  Movement is a visual flow through the composition. It can be the suggestion of motion in a design as you move from object to object by way of placement and position.  Directional movement can be created with a value pattern. It is with the placement of dark and light areas that you can move your attention through the format. 

This painting is the principle of movement, because the waves are pushing your view to the boats, and the waves show a very clear visual flow to them.

This photo is the principle of movement, because the pencils make your eyes flow with them as they create a design or pattern.

Pattern: Patterns are made in art when the same shapes or elements are repeated again and again.  Pattern uses the elements of art in planned or random repetitions to enhance surfaces of paintings or sculptures. 

The principle of pattern is present in this painting because the repetitive use of the soup cans create a clear pattern.

The principle of pattern is present in this photo, because the lines or stripes on the zebra create a pattern throughout the photo.

Rhythm: Rhythm is the repetition of shapes, lines, and forms.  Rhythm is a movement in which some elements recurs regularly.  Like a dance, it will have a flow of objects that will seem to be like the beat of music. 

The principle of rhythm is present in this painting, because the artist used the repetition of lines and form when she painted the flower. The movement of the flower petals are in sync.

The principle of rhythm is present is this photo because there is clear use of receptive lines to create a flow in the photo.

Unity: Unity means that all elements in an artwork are in harmony.  Unity brings together a composition with similar units.  For example, if your composition was using wavy lines and organic shapes you would stay with those types of lines and not put in even one geometric shape. 

The principle of unity is present in this painting because all the colors and geometric shapes are used throughout the whole painting and it creates a unity.

The principle of unity is present in this photo because the repetition of leaves and similar shapes of leaves create a unity throughout the photo.