Elements and

Principles of Arts
Elements and Principles
of Arts

The elements and principles of art

are the building blocks or
foundations upon which a work of
art is created.
 Elements of Arts

LINE SHAPE FORM SPACE

COLOR TEXTURE VALUE

Line - are the path of a moving point, they define the edges of
shapes and forms.

a. Horizontal and vertical lines – refers to the orientation

of the line. Horizontal lines are normally associated with
rest or calm. Vertical lines, on the other hand, connote
elevation or height, which is usually taken to mean
exaltation or aspiration for action.
b. Diagonal and crooked lines – diagonal lines convey
movement and instability, although the progression can
be seen. Crooked or jagged lines, on the other hand are
reminiscent of violence, conflict, or struggle.
c. Curved lines – these are lines that bend or coil. They
allude to softness, grace, flexibility, or even sensuality.
Horizontal Vertical Diagonal

Crooked or Jagged Curved

Shape - shape refers to two dimensions: height and width

Form - form refers to three dimensions: height, width, and

depth.
Two types of Shape and Form

a. Geometric – these shapes find origin in mathematical

propositions. As such, its translation and use are often
man-made. These include shapes such as squares,
triangles, cubes, circles, spheres, and cones, among
others.
b. Organic – organic shapes are those readily occurring
in nature, often irregular and asymmetrical.
Color - one of the elements that enhances the appeal of
an artwork. Its effect has range, allowing the viewer to
make responses based on memory, emotion, and instinct,
among others.
a. Hue – this dimension of color gives its name. It can
be subdivided into:
● Primary colors – red, yellow, and blue
● Secondary color – green, orange, and violet
● Tertiary color – six in total, these hues are achieved
when primary and secondary colors are mixed.
b. Intensity - the strength and vividness of the
color
c. Value - the lightness and darkness of the color
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. Positive and negative space – usually identified with
the white space is the negative space. The positive
space, on the other hand, is the space where
shadow is heavily used.
Texture - this element in an artwork is experienced through
the sense of touch (and sight). This element renders the art
object tactile.

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.
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
Principles
of Arts
Balance - this principle refers to the distribution of the
visual elements in view of their placement in relation to
each other. There are three forms of balance:
a. Symmetrical – the elements used on one side are
reflected to the other. This offers the most stable visual
sense to any artwork.
b. Asymmetrical – the elements are not the same (or of
the same weight) on each side, putting the heaviness
on one side.
c. Radial – there is a central point in the composition,
around which elements and objects are distributed.
Scale and Proportion - scale pertains to the size in relation to what is
normal for the figure or object in question. Proportion, on the other
hand, is the size of the components, or of objects in relation to one
another when taken as a composition or a unit.

Proportion can be:

a. Natural – relates to the realistic size of the visual elements in the

artwork, especially for figurative artworks.
b. Exaggerated – refers to the unusual size relations of visual
elements, deliberately exaggerating the immensity or
minuteness of an object.
c. Idealized – most common to those that follow canons of
perfection, the size-relations of elements or objects, which
achieve the most ideal size-relations.
Emphasis - Emphasis allows the attention of the viewer to
a focal point(s), accentuating or drawing attention to
these elements or objects.
Contrast - Contrast is the disparity between the elements that
figure into the composition. One object may be made
stronger compared to other objects (hence, emphasis).
Unity - A similar element throughout a work of art that
brings the parts together
Variety - is the principle that aims to retain the interest by
allowing patches or areas that both excite and allow the
eye to rest.
Harmony - Like what is hinted above, unity and variety is
related to the principle of harmony, in which the elements or
objects achieve a sense of flow and interconnectedness.
Movement - This refers to the direction of the viewing eye as it
goes through the artwork, often guided by areas or elements
that are emphasized.
Rhythm - This is created when an element is repeated,
creating implied movement. Variety of repetition helps
invigorate rhythm as depicted in the artwork.
Repetition and Pattern - Lines, shapes, colors, and other
elements may appear in an artwork in a recurring manner
This is called repetition In addition, the image created out of
repetition is called pattern
Thank
You
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