SOUTHERNSIDE MONTESSORI SCHOOL

Camella Homes IV, Poblacion, Muntinlupa City

NOTES 2
ELEMENTS OF ARTS
There are certain elements which make an artwork an artistic piece. These elements and
principles are socially agreed on and, when followed, usually define what is formally known as
aesthetically pleasing. Knowing the elements of art is not only important to artists but also to
viewers of art as this can enable a deeper understanding of the artwork

VALUE SPACE COLOR TEXTURE LINE SHAPE FORM

1. LINE
In visual arts, a line is a series of points. It may come in two characteristics: There are certain
elements which make an artwork an artistic piece. These elements and principles are socially
agreed on and, when followed, usually define what is formally known as aesthetically
pleasing. Knowing the elements of art is not only important to artists but also to viewers of art
as this can enable a deeper understanding of the artwork.
Different types of lines may convey different meanings.

Grade Twelve | Third Quarter | Second Semester SY. 2024-2025 1

 For example, a horizontal line usually suggests calmness, as such is the case when viewing
the horizon during sunset, vertical lines may convey loftiness, while diagonal lines may
pertain dynamism. In other disciplines like theater, this may pertain to the lines in the script.
While in dance, it is the routine of steps as executed by the dancer.

2. SPACE and PERSPECTIVE

Space refers to the area in which art is organized.
What is between objects or space around the area of
focus (background) is known as negative space.
Positive space is the area of focus. What the artist
want people to see at first glance.
Perspective is representing a volume of space or a
3-dimentional object on a flat surface.

3. SHAPE is formed by connecting both ends of a line. Shapes are two dimensional figures with
height and width. There are also different kinds of shapes as described below.
 Geometric shapes are enclosed figures such as triangle, squares, and other structured
figures.
 Organic shapes are shapes found in nature. They do not have a structured form as they are
usually free flowing. Examples of these are the shape of a leaf or a cloud.
 Abstract shapes are like organic shapes for they lack definition, but they are not
necessarily found in nature. They are also asymmetrical and free flowing.
Like lines, shapes may contribute to meaning making when used in an artwork. For example,
a circle is usually associated with love, harmony, and infinity such as the case of an
engagement ring. Triangles, when upright, are seen to suggest stability because of its solid
base, while it suggests tension when upside down. Meanwhile, a square or a rectangle
suggests familiarity and equality.

4. FORMS are three dimensional; it has the same dimensions as a shape except with added
volume. Unlike shapes, it has more depth and does not feel flat.

5.

COLOR
In visual arts, color is associated with the natural phenomenon in our environment.
Scientifically, when a light passes through a prism, it will produce different hues of different
wavelengths. These colors may pertain to lightness or darkness, coolness or warmth. Also,
colors may convey different meanings depending on the cultures and traditions of a region.

Grade Twelve | Third Quarter | Second Semester SY. 2024-2025 2

6. VALUE
In visual arts, value is considered a property of a color which
pertains to its lightness or darkness. In music, this may refer
to the pitch. It is the highness or the lowness of the sound.
This art element defines how light or dark a given color or hue
can be. Values are best understood when visualized as a scale
or gradient, from dark to light.

Value is responsible for the appearance of texture and light in art.

Although paintings and photographs do not often physically light up, the
appearance of light and dark can be achieved through the manipulation
of value.

The two value scales are low and high

contrast.
Low contrast-When shades of similar value
are used together, they also create a low contrast image. The
more tonal variants in an image, the lower the contrast.

High contrast images on the other hand have few tonal values in
between stronger hues like black and white.

7. TEXTURE
In visual arts, texture is
the tactile or illusory
surface of the piece. In
music, texture is the
mood or quality of the
composition.

PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN
The elements of art may be organized in a way that it can create a more compelling artwork.
This organization of elements is called principles of design. Understanding the elements and how
they may go together will be of great help in improving, not just your artistic skills, but also your
capacity to understand art.

1. UNITY/HARMONY
In general, you can say an art piece is in harmony when the different parts produce an overall
positive impact or effect. In visual arts, harmony is the
unity of the artwork, specifically in reference to the

Grade Twelve | Third Quarter | Second Semester SY. 2024-2025 3

 arrangement of its parts, while in music, harmony refers to the simultaneous sounding or
playing of different notes to produce a sound.

2. SCALE AND PROPORTION

Scale and proportion refer to the
relationship of the elements,
specifically its relative size of parts
of a whole.
For example, when drawing a human
standing beside a house, it is important to ensure that the
human is proportional to the house, which means ensuring that the size of the element
suggests what they are - a human standing beside a house, as opposed to a human standing
beside a doll house.
The golden ratio is believed to be a universal principle of good structure and design.

3.

VARIETY
In other terms, variety may be referred to as diversity. This means adding multiple, different
elements to break the monotony of an artwork and make it more interesting. Different
elements are combined in a pleasing, non-chaotic manner.

4. MOVEMENT
Movement shows how the eyes move through the composition, leading the attention of the
viewer from one aspect of the work to another. It can create the illusion of action.
Movement is a basic principle of nature and is associated with the environment. All living
things, non-living things, and heavenly bodies move naturally. Movement serves as one of the
fundamental principles in dance and theater. In visual arts, an artwork has movement when it
incorporates the passage of time, even in an illusory manner. Movement in visual arts is when
the piece suggests the passage of time.

5. RHYTHM
This refers to the repetition of certain
elements to produce a pattern. In visual arts,
repeated design elements may create a
certain flow and may lead the viewer’s eyes.
In music, this refers to the even distribution
of notes.

Grade Twelve | Third Quarter | Second Semester SY. 2024-2025 4

 Movement is the action; rhythm is the pattern.
Types of Rhythm in art
 Regular rhythm: A series of elements are repeated at regular intervals, often identical or
similar.
 Alternating rhythm: Two or more motifs are alternated, adding variety to the artwork.
 Flowing rhythm: Elements follow an organic, flowing pattern, like the rise and fall of a
wave.
 Progressive rhythm: Repeating elements are changed subtly and arranged in a
sequence (through a progression of regular steps)
 Random rhythm: There is no discernible pattern or order to the rhythm, creating a sense
of disorder and chaos.

6. CONTRAST
Contrast refers to the juxtaposition of different elements of design.
Examples: rough and smooth textures, dark and light values, hot and cold colors) in order to
highlight their difference or create visual interest or focal point. Contrast allows the artists to
emphasize or highlight key elements in the design.

7. BALANCE
Balance is a distribution of visual weight on either side of the vertical axis. It refers to the
even and equal distribution of elements to create a sense of equilibrium. There are two types
of balance in visual arts:
 Informal balance, also called asymmetrical, is present when the designs are not equally
distributed on both sides. It uses different characteristics but equally weighted features.
Elements of an image don't strictly mirror each other, but their placement still creates a
sense of visual balance.
 Formal balance, also called symmetrical, is present when the weight of the designs is
equally distributed. It uses the same characteristics. An image or design is mirrored across
a horizontal or vertical axis.
 Radial balance is a design principle that uses symmetry
around a central point to create a balanced composition. It's
often used in circular designs but can also be used in other
shapes like squares, hexagons, octagons, and stars.

8.

EMPHASIS AND SUBORDINATION

Emphasis is a principle which may refer to the greater impact given on a certain element; the

Grade Twelve | Third Quarter | Second Semester SY. 2024-2025 5

creation of a focal area in a work of art. It is the place in which an artist draws your eye to first.
Subordination serves as the opposite of emphasis as it refers to how certain elements only
serve as a supplement to the emphasized element in a design.

Grade Twelve | Third Quarter | Second Semester SY. 2024-2025 6