ELEMENTS OF ART-WPS Office
ELEMENTS OF ART-WPS Office
Line
A mark left in the path of a moving point. A mark with length and direction(s)
Lines can be: vertical, horizontal, diagonal, straight, curved, angular or bent, thick or wide, thin, blurred, fuzzy,
controlled, or meandering.
Lines can create an outline or contour.
Lines are often used to define space or direct the movement of your eyes.
Shape/Form
An enclosed space defined and determined by other art elements such as line, color, value and texture.
Shape refers to a closed space made when a line connects to itself.
Form refers to a shape that is or appears to be three dimensional, having weight, width and depth.
Texture
a surface quality that can be seen (simulated texture) or felt (actual texture)
Color
Space
Value
PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN
Design
The composition of an artwork. Intentionally arranging the elements of art (listed above) using the principles of
organization to create a unified artwork.
Balance
Parts of a composition can be described as having weight or dominance. The arrangement of these elements to
create a sense of visual stability or tension is called balance. This is sometimes also referred to as symmetry.
Balance can be symmetrical (or formal), asymmetrical (informal), or radial (around a central point, like a flower)
Emphasis/Dominance
The importance given to certain objects in an artwork. Where your eye goes first. The center of attention.
The “center of attention is also called the focal point. A painting can have a main focal point with secondary focal
points.
Contrast creates emphasis and determines the focal point. This can be contrast in color, value, texture, shape,
space or line.
Proportion
The relationship of the parts of an artwork to the whole, or of one part to another. Related to size or scale. (Can
also refer to quantity or degree.)
Movement/Rhythm
Movement refers to how elements are arranged to draw your eye through an artwork or imply a sense of
motion. (Some sculpture, video etc. may have actual motion.)
Rhythm is a special kind of movement created by repeated components in an artwork. It refers to the visual
tempo or beat as the viewer’s eyes jump rapidly or glide smoothly from one related element to the next.
Repetition/Pattern
Variety
Using the art elements to create differences in an artwork that add visual interest.
Harmony
The accentuating of similarities within an artwork to create unity. The opposite of variety. Components that
share common traits.
Unity
A successful combination of art elements that creates a sense of wholeness and visual completion in an artwork.
How the artwork functions as a whole, unified piece.