The Elements of Art and Principles of Design

The Elements of Art

The elements of art are the basic components of art-marking. It is impossible to create a work of
art without using at least one of the seven elements of art. In order to be successful in art creation, an
artist must be able to intelligently use the elements of art. Artwork can also be analyzed according to
the use of the elements in a work of art.
The elements of art are the building blocks of all art. Every piece of art ever created includes one
or more of these elements. Learn about line, color, shape, form, value, space, and texture.
1. Line -A line is an element of art. It is a mark made upon a surface. In order to be a line, the
mark's length must be longer than its width. There are many different types of lines, including
horizontal, vertical, wavy, diagonal, and more. Line may be two-or three-dimensional, descriptive,
implied, or abstract.
Example of Abstract Line Art

2. Shapes– These are areas of enclosed space that are two-dimensional. Shapes are flat, and can only
have height and width. The two different categories of shapes are: geometric and organic. Geometric
shapes are mathematical, like circles and squares. Organic shapes come from nature, like clouds and
leaves. This collage by Henri Matisse uses a collection of organic shapes.
3. Space – It deals with the illusion of depth on a flat surface. You might overlap shapes to make
some look closer, or make objects in the distance smaller to look like they are farther away. The element
of space can be used in three-dimensional art as well.

TWO TYPES OF SPACES:

1. POSITIVE SPACE- positive space is best described as the areas in a work of art that are the
subjects, or areas of interest.
2. NEGATIVE SPACE- is area around the subjects, or areas of interest.
 4. Value – This refers to the lightness and darkness of areas in an art work. White is the lightest
value, while black is the darkest. The value halfway between these extremes is called middle gray.

5.Color - Color is the most prominent element of design and is one of the most powerful and yet
subjective elements in art. Color is an element of art made up of three properties: hue, value, and
intensity. • Hue: name of color • Value: hue’s lightness and darkness (a color’s value changes when
white or black is added) • Intensity: quality of brightness and purity (high intensity= color is strong and
bright; low intensity= color is faint and dull).

Through the mixing of colors infinite other hues are born, but there are only four true colors
from which more and more other kinds of colors may be thus created. Red is the color of fire, blue of
the air, green of the water, and grey of the earth . . . white and black are not true colors but are
alterations of other colors (Alberti, 1956).

6. Texture - An element of art that refers to the way things feel, or look as if they might feel if
touched.The term texture describes the surface quality of an artwork. Texture is an important element
of design because it engages the sense of touch as well as vision. Objects can be rough or smooth, wet
or dry, sticky or slick, hard or soft, brittle or flexible. The two main approaches to texture are actual
texture and implied or simulated texture. Actual texture is primarily—though not exclusively—
sculptural, while implied texture is primarily used in two-dimensional works of art.

7. Form - An element of art that is three-dimensional and encloses volume; includes height,
width and depth (as in a cube, a sphere, a pyramid, or a cylinder). Form may also be free flowing.

Principles of Design

Design differs from art in that it has to have a purpose. Visually, this functionality is interpreted
by making sure an image has a center of attention, a point of focus. The principles of design are the rules
a designer must follow to create an effective composition that cleanly delivers a message to her
audience. Hereunder are the different principles of design:

1. Balance is the distribution of the visual weight of objects, colors, texture, and space. If the
design was a scale, these elements should be balanced to make a design feel stable. In symmetrical
balance, the elements used on one side of the design are similar to those on the other side; in
asymmetrical balance, the sides are different but still look balanced. In radial balance, the elements are
arranged around a central point and may be similar.

2. Emphasis is the part of the design that catches the viewer’s attention. Usually the artist will
make one area stand out by contrasting it with other areas. The area could be different in size, color,
texture, shape, etc.

3.Pattern is the repeating of an object or symbol all over the work of art.

4. Repetition works with pattern to make the work of art seem active. The repetition of
elements of design creates unity within the work of art.

5. Proportion is the feeling of unity created when all parts (sizes, amounts, or number) relate
well with each other. When drawing the human figure, proportion can refer to the size of the head
compared to the rest of the body.
 6. Rhythm is created when one or more elements of design are used repeatedly to create a
feeling of organized movement. Rhythm creates a mood like music or dancing. To keep rhythm exciting
and active, variety is essential.

7. Variety is the use of several elements of design to hold the viewer’s attention and to guide
the viewer’s eye through and around the work of art.

8. Unity is the feeling of harmony between all parts of the work of art, which creates a sense of
completeness.

The Rule of the Third

The rule of thirds is a "rule of thumb" or guideline which applies to the process of composing visual images such as
designs, films, paintings, and photographs (Meech, 2007).

The guideline proposes that an image should be imagined

as divided into nine equal parts by two equally spaced horizontal
lines and two equally spaced vertical lines, and that important
compositional elements should be placed along these lines or their
intersections (Peterson, 2003). Proponents of the technique claim
that aligning a subject with these points creates more tension,
energy and interest in the composition than simply centering the
subject.

The photograph to the left demonstrates the application

of the rule of thirds. Divide the picture into nine equal parts as
shown above. The horizon sits at the horizontal line dividing the

lower third of the photo from the upper two-thirds. The tree
sits at the intersection of two lines, sometimes called a power
point or a crash point. Points of interest in the photo do not
have to actually touch one of these lines to take advantage of
the rule of thirds. For example, the brightest part of the sky
near the horizon where the sun recently set does not fall
directly on one of the lines, but does fall near the intersection
of two of the lines, close enough to take advantage of the rule.

The rule of thirds is applied by aligning a subject with the

guide lines and their intersection points, placing the horizon on
the top or bottom line, or allowing linear features in the image
to flow from section to section. The main reason for observing
the rule of thirds is to discourage placement of the subject at
the center, or prevent a horizon from appearing to divide the picture in half. Michael Ryan and Melissa Lenos, authors of the
book An Introduction to Film Analysis: Technique and Meaning in Narrative Film state that the use of rule of thirds is "favored
by cinematographers in their effort to design balanced and unified images" (Krages, 2005).