GNED01:

ART APPRECIATION
MS. GERIELYN E. BAYUGO, Licensed Professional Teacher
ELEMENTS AND
PRINCIPLES OF ARTS
PART IV
LINE
A line can be defined in various
ways: it is the path made by a
moving point; a series of dots; a
prolongation of points or according
to Paul Klee “a dot that went for a
walk.” One definition of a line,
however, that capture its essence
in the visual arts is it being an
intended mark made by the artist
to convey meaning beyond its
physical description.
Kind of Lines
STRAIGHT LINE
Straight lines are geometric and impersonal and
differ in the direction that they take. The straight
lines may move from left to right, start from the
top going down, slant or move up and down
forming angles. Whatever is the direction, each
kind indicates a specific type of emotion.
a. Horizontal
lines
Horizontal lines move from
left to right or vice versa. It
is a line that appears to be
laying down. Horizontals in
visual art imply calmness,
serenity and rest. Paintings
and pictures of landscapes
and The seascapes are
primarily horizontal.
b. Vertical
lines
Vertical lines start from the
bottom going up or vice versa.
It is a line that appears to be
standing. Verticals in the visual
art suggest balance, strength,
and stability. It is also
indicating poise and
independence. Monuments and
statues of heroes in sculptures
are presented as verticals.
c. Diagonal
lines
Diagonal lines are slanting lines. In
the visual art, diagonals suggest
two meanings, a positive and a
negative one. On the positive,
diagonals indicate action and
movement i.e. to go forward and
act. On the negative, is conveys a
feeling of uncertainty, stress or
defeat. The specific meaning of
diagonals in an artwork should be
based on the context of the work.
d. Zigzag
lines
Zigzag lines are angular
lines that resulted because
of abrupt change in the
direction of a straight line
thus forming angles. The
lines are unpleasant and
harsh which portrays
tension, conflict, chaos or
violence.
CURVED
LINES
Curved lines are technically
curvilinear lines. These lines
are found in nature
particularly in living
organisms. Curve lines
suggest grace, movement
and flexibility indicative of
life and energy.
COLOR
The significance of color as an
element of the visual arts
cannot be over emphasized.
People see and perceive the
world as a multitude of colors.
Also, the materials that are
used by the artists possess
characteristics of color. Colors
add beauty and meaning to all
forms of art. Truly, the world
will be a gloomy place if it is
devoid of color.
Color is a property of light. So when light goes out, color goes with it. Color is
composed of a series of wave lengths which strike the retina of the eyes. A ray of
light contains all the colors of the visible spectrum – red, orange, yellow, green,
blue, indigo and violet (ROYGBIV). The visible spectrum was discovered by Sir Isaac
Newton through the use of a prism. Passing white light through a prism breaks it
into a band of the visible colors (just like a rainbow).
Properties of Color
1. Hue
Hue is the name given to the color, for example: red,
green, violet and blue. For pigments, RED, YELLOW
and BLUE are called primary hues. They are
considered primary because these hues cannot be
produced from combining any hues. When two
primary hues are mixed in equal amounts, secondary
hues are produced. The secondary hues are ORANGE,
GREEN and VIOLET. Mixing equal amounts of the
primary and secondary hues produces intermediate
hues, RED ORANGE, RED VIOLET, YELLOW ORANGE,
YELLOW GREEN, BLUE GREEN and BLUE VIOLET.
Combining in equal mixture any two secondary hues
produces the tertiary hues.
2. Value
Value refers to the lightness and
darkness of a color. The value of any hue
can be changed by adding a neutral such
as black or white. This results in
changing the quantity of light in hue
reflects. When black is combined with a
hue, a shade is produced; when white is
added to it , a tint results. Thus, maroon
is a shade while pink is a tint.
3. Intensity
Intensity denotes the brightness and dullness of
a color. It gives color its strength. Colors differ in
intensity and vividness. Hues become less
intense (dull) when white is added because the
color becomes lighter in value. When black is
added, the I tensity diminishes, as the value
darkens. When gray is added, the result will be
variation in intensity without any change in
value. The color becomes less bright but neither
lighter nor darker in its tone. When a hue is in its
most vivid form, it is said to be in full intensity.
How Colors Relate
Monochromatic
Harmony
A monochromatic harmony
results when a single color in
the composition is varied in
intensity and value by
adding white or black.
Complementar
y Harmony
A complementary harmony
results when the colors that
are opposite each other in
the color wheel are placed
side by side. For example,
RED and GREEN, YELLOW
and VIOLET or BLUE and
ORANGE. The colors are
complementary because
they contrast each other’s
brightness.
Analogous
Harmony
An analogous harmony
results when hues that are
adjacent or beside each
other in the color wheel is
used in a composition.
Examples are RED-ORANGE-
YELLOW and BLUE-BLUE
VIOLET-VIOLET.
Color
Temperature
Color temperature refers to the
relative warmth or coolness of a
color. Warm colors are colors that
have YELLOW as its dominant
component while cool colors have
BLUE as their dominant component.
Thus, ORANGE, YELLOW-GREEN and
RED-ORANGE are considered warm
while VIOLET, BLUE-GREEN and
GREEN are cool. On the color wheel,
color closest to YELLOW are warm
and those closest to BLUE are cool
colors.
LIGHT AND SHADOW (Value)

In graphic arts, it is important for the artist to make his work interesting for the
viewers to see and appreciate. Adding interest to his composition entails that he
masters technique to add form and depth to his flat medium. The artist can achieve
this by incorporating light and shadow, or the element of value into the artwork. Light
and shadow focuses on what is known as achromatic value. This refers to the changes
of amount of reflected light which ranges from black to gray to white and vice versa.
Night watch
by
Rembrandt
The technique of manipulating
light and shadow is
chiaroscuro. Masters of
painting have perfected the
use of chiaroscuro, from Da
Vinci to Michelangelo to
Rembrandt and Caravaggio.
Rembrandt and Caravaggio,
however, went a step further
and exaggerated the use of
shadows to an extreme called
tenebrism or ‘dark manner.’
SHAPE
In visual arts, a shape is
formed when two ends of a
line meet to enclose an area.
The area may stand out from
the surface because of
difference of color, value, or
texture. Shapes may present
themselves as flat or two-
dimensional and solid or three-
dimensional on a picture
plane. A picture plane is any
flat surface onto which the
artwork is created.
Classifications of
Shape
Natural or
Organic
shapes
Natural or organic shapes
are those seen in nature like
the shape of leaves,
animals, mountains, flowers
and seashells.
Abstract
shapes
Abstract shapes are those
that have little or no
resemblance to natural
objects.
Non-objective
or Biomorphic
Shapes
Non-objective or biomorphic
shapes seldom have
reference to recognizable
objects, but most often show
a similarity to some organic
forms.
Geometric
Shapes
Geometric shapes are the
triangles, rectangles,
squares. cylinders, cubes.
TEXTURE
Texture refers to the feel or
tactile quality of the surface
of an object. It has to do
with the characteristic of
surface, whether it is rough
or smooth, fine or coarse,
polished or dull, plain or
irregular. The element of
texture is found in all visual
arts.
SPACE
Space is one of the basic
elements of art. It refers
to the distance between or the
area around and within shapes,
forms, colors and lines. Space
can be positive or negative. It
includes the background,
foreground and middle ground.
Both positive and negative
space can play important roles
in the overall success of a work
of art.
Methods of
Creating Space
a.
Overlapping
Overlapping planes
(interposition) create space
when an object covers a part
of another object which is
behind it. This method gives
the viewer the impression
that whole/complete objects
are near and partially
covered areas are far.
b. Relative
Size
Objects that appear large/big
indicate nearness and small sized
objects as distant. Relative size
aside from creating the illusion of
space can also be interpreted as
power and import. A figure that
occupies more than half of the
picture plane will certainly appear
overpowering, whereas as a small
figure on a large plane will seem
quite insignificant.
c. Position on the
picture plane
(relative height)

In some paintings, spatial

representation is based upon
the position of objects relative
to the bottom of the frame.
Those objects found at the
bottom of the frame will
appear closer to the viewer.
Farther distances are
indicated by the position of
the objects higher on the
picture plane.
d. Color and
Value
Color is also used to give the
illusion of distance. warm colors
advance and makes objects
look closer while cool colors
recede making objects look
farther away. Some artists have
exploited this to deepen or
flatten space in their works. In
painting, the foreground uses
warm colors and the
background cool colors.
e.
Perspective
Perspective deals with effect
of distance on the
appearance of objects. It
enables the viewer to
perceive distance and to see
the position of objects in
space. To get depth or
distance, an artist uses both
linear and aerial
perspective.
Linear
Perspective
Linear perspective gives the
perception distance by means
of converging lines. It has to do
with the direction of lines and
with the size of objects. The
painter makes use of
converging lines and
diminishing sizes to show the
effect of space and distance
i.e. where the parallel lines
move closer to each other, the
sizes of objects decrease.
Aerial
Perspective
Aerial perspective (gradient)
is the effect of haze, mist or
atmosphere on the object.
Near objects are seen in
detail with full intensity of
color and as objects recede,
details are loss and objects
appear grayer.
MOVEMENT
Movement is the path the
viewer's eye takes through
the work of art, often to
focal areas. Such movement
can be directed along lines,
edges, shape, and color
within the work of art. Artists
use movement to direct the
viewer's eye through a work
of art.
1. Actual
Movement
Actual movement in art, specifically
in sculptures results in kinetic art.
Actual movement may be achieved
naturally using wind and water or
mechanically through some energy
source (batteries or electricity). The
picture at the right is Alexander
Calder’s The Star (1960). Air currents
caused his suspended sculpture to
move. Sculptures such as these are
called mobiles. Mobiles are never
stationary, and the sculpture will
look different every time it moves.
2. Implied
Movement
Implied movement results
when a variety of lines ate
used together, repeated,
changed in position, or
decreased/increased in size.
This given the impression of
movement in a stationary
two-dimensional art.
Elements of the
Combined Arts
Elements of Music
1. Rhythm
Rhythm is a movement or
pattern with uniform
recurrence and accented and
unaccented beat.
2. Melody
Melody is the succession of
tones arranged in such a
way as to give it a musical
sense. It may also refer to
the rising and falling of the
tune in time.
3. Harmony
Harmony is the sounding of a
series or group of tones at the
same time. It may also refer to the
pleasing sound that is produced
when two or more notes are
played together. Concordance
results when the combination of
sounds agreement which makes it
sound good while dissonance
results when the combination is
not pleasant to hear (e.g. noise).
4. Timbre
Timbre is the tonal quality or the
character of the tone that is
produced by an instrument or by
the human voice. Timbre allows
the listener to distinguish between
the sound of a guitar and a violin
for example. In the same way,
people can be identified by their
voices. A man’s voice sounds
different form that of a lady and
an old person’s voice is different
from that of a child.
5. Form
Form is the structure or a framework of a composition.
Vocal Forms:
Opera is a drama set to
music complete with actions,
costumes and scenery.
Cantata is a religious story
told in music without
actions.
Moro-moro is Philippine
drama set to music which
depicts the conflict between
Christians and the Muslims.
Instrumental
Forms:
Sonata is a long composition
for solo instruments (e.g.
piano or violin).
Symphony is a sonata for
the orchestra.
 6. Dynamics
Dynamics is the loudness and softness of the sound in music indicated
by symbols to regulate the volume of the sound.

 pp (pianissimo) – very soft

 p (piano) – soft

 mp (mezzo piano) – half soft

 f (forte) – loud

 ff (fortissimo) – very loud

 crescendo – gradually becoming louder

 decrescendo – gradually becoming softer

Elements of Dance
1. Music
Music plays an important role
in the dance to which it is
closely related. It should be
melodic and harmonious and
fits into the movements of the
dance. Music motivates the
dancers to move in tune with
its rhythm. The background
music of the dance functions to
captivate the interest and awe
of the audience.
2. Movement
Movement is how the dancers use their bodies to
move and create organized patterns. Dances also
use gestures which express specific emotions or
ideas in sign language.
3.
Choreography
Choreography refers to how the
steps and movements are
connected for it to be
performed in an organized
manner. The choreography
guides the dancers’
movements for them to
perform the movement, convey
the message and tell the story
through body language.
4. Technique
Technique is the skill of the dancer in executing
the movements. A good dancer has complete
control over the muscles of his body thus creating
grace and fluidity of movement.
5. Theme
Theme is the content or the
main ingredient of the
dance. It tells what a dance
is trying to convey. It has to
do with the message of the
dance.
6. Design
Design is the planned organization or patterns of
movement in time and space. Pattern in time, is
provided by rhythm to be executed in space on
stage or dance floor.
7. Costume
The type of dance
performed, and the costume
worn relate closely to the
customs, beliefs and
environment of the people.
Costumes enhance the
effect of dance.
Elements of Drama
1. Plot
Plot is the overall
structure of the play. It is
concerned with what the
story is all about.
Traditional plots have a
beginning, a middle and
an ending. The plot
progresses through the
following:
a. Exposition
Exposition is the part that familiarizes the audience with the characters and the
situation they are in. This introduces the setting of the story. It also initiates the
development of the conflict and suggests foreshadowing or presentation of
scenes that creates a feeling that something bad is going to happen.
b. Complication
Complication happens in the middle part of the play which develops the conflict
that was started in the exposition. Flashbacks are sometimes used to enhance the
characters and shed more light to the conflict. As the conflict develops, it reaches
a height called the climax where a turing a point is expected.
c. Resolution
Resolution is also called the anticlimax or the part where conditions in the story
are normalized and the situation becomes stable. It is a part where a transition
happens form a critical event to a resolution and the story ends.
2. Setting
Setting is the locale and the
period in which the story
takes place. It includes the
scenery, props and
costumes used in staging. It
is the background of the play
that informs the audience
where and when the story
will take place.
3.
Characters
Characters are the persons
involved in the story. They may
seem real to the audience
depending on the playwright
structures the dialogues to make
the characters come to life.
Characters can be the protagonist
or the antagonist. Protagonist are
the central character or the
character around which the story
revolves. Antagonist are the
characters that challenge the role
of the protagonist.
4. Dialogue
Dialogue refers to the words
uttered by characters in the
story. It is what the characters
use when conversing with each
other or when expressing his
thoughts and emotions.
Dialogues let the audience know
the kind of character that the
actor is portraying. There are,
however, plays with no
dialogues. Pantomimes rely
heavily on actions, gestures,
facial expressions and sound
effects.
5. Theme
Theme is what the story
means. It is how the
individual elements are put
together to give the story
significance and perspective.
It relates something about
life that is presented in its
totality . The theme may be
directly or indirectly stated.
Elements of
Theater
1. The
Playwright
The playwright’s role is to
work out the plot of the actual
actions to be performed and
the dialogue to be spoken by
actors within the limited
facilities of the stage. The
presentation of the
playwright’s creativity is called
the play. The playwright’s work
is fulfilled when his drama is
staged.
2. The
Performer
The performers art the ones
who portray the characters
in a play. To become a good
performer, one must go
beyond the role playing. He
must be able to present the
character by giving him alive
body and soul that will make
him believable and enabling
him to relate to te audience.
3. The
Director
The director works with the
works with the playwright to
present the play which is
interpreted and translated
unto dramatic action. The
interpretation must be clear,
interesting and enjoyable for
the play to be a success.
4. Production
Design
Production design includes the
scenery, props, make-up,
costumes, lights, music, sound,
and all other special effects used
in a theater production. It is the
collaborative effort of the stage,
make-up and technical artist to
translate into images the vision of
the director. Needless to say,
production design is responsible
for creating ‘spectacle’ in the
whole production of the okay.
The Elements of
Cinema (Motion
Picture)
1. Acting and
the Stars
Acting is the art of
portraying or impersonating
a character in the story. A
performer, during filming
should embody the
character he is portraying .
The actors’ portrayal must
be perfect and complete.
2. Set and Art
Directors
Set and Art Directors should know the setting of
the story and build artificial sets. A well
researched, realistic setting makes the story
authentic, and transport the audience to the
setting of the story.
3. Music and
Musical
Director
Music is indispensable in a
motion picture. The musical
director oversees selecting,
composing new songs.
writing orchestration,
preparing background music,
creating musical scores and
supervising all recording.
4. Color
Color in the movies is an
innovation of
cinematography. It cost
twice as much as the black
and white film. Most films
are now shown in high
definition (HD) color.
5. Make up, Hair
and Costume
Design

These people are responsible

for applying the specific type
of make-up, hairstyle and
costume to the actors
before they face the camera.
The way the make up
through prosthetics is
applied today has greatly
improve and reached the
level of an artform.
6. Sound,
Camera,
Special Effects
Technician
Sound technicians are responsible
for making the dialogue clear and
music of fine quality. They make
sure that there is no background
noise. The use of camera and the
functions of the special effects'
technician are indispensable in
cinematography. They decide on
the use of masking, the choice of
lens, the camera angle and the
control of camera movements.
PRINCIPLES OF ART
Three Key
Elements of the
Visual Arts
FORM
Forms refers to how the specific element in the artwork organized to produced in
unified whole. Form is further classified into:

a. Primary features. This is how the artwork appears to the viewers. Its physical
attributes in terms of medium, color, texture and size.

b. Secondary features. This is how the primary features of the artwork relate to
one another. Particularly, this applies to the principles of balance, proportion,
harmony and unity that are used to create the whole composition
CONTENT
Content refers to the message the artist wants to convey through his art. There
are three levels of content:

a. Factual is the literal interpretation of the work, its imagery , describable

attributes, actions and poses.

b. Conventional level takes into consideration the basic genres and the
figurative meanings usually indicated by familiar signs and symbols and the
qualities of the work.

c. Subjective level takes into consideration the effect of the form and content
on the viewers of the art.
CONTEXT
Context refers to the various circumstances that influence how a work of art was
produced and interpreted. There are two types of context:

a. Primary context pertains to the characteristic of the artist i.e. his

personality, beliefs, interest and values.

b. Secondary context pertains to the setting i.e. the historical period; time in
which the work was produced. Included here are the functions by the artworks,
its religious and philosophical conviction, sociopolitical and economic
undertones, climate and geography.
The Principles of
Design
BALANCE
balance is the distribution of the visual weight of
objects, colors, texture, and space. The use of
three elements should be balanced to make the
viewers see and feel design as stable. balance is of
three types:
a. Symmetrical balance
Symmetrical balance results when the
elements used on one side of the design are
like those on the other side.
b. Asymmetrical balance
Asymmetrical balance is when the sides of
the composition are different but still look
balanced.
c. Radial balance
Radial balance is achieved when the
elements are arranged around a central
point. Elements may exhibit similarities as
they spread around the central point.
EMPHASIS
Emphasis is the part of the design that catchers
the viewer’s attention. The artist will usually make
one area stand out by contrasting it with other
areas. This contrast could be achieved by
presenting one area as different in size, color,
texture and shape.
MOVEMENT
Movement is the path the viewer’s eyes takes
when looking through the work of art. Such
movement can be implied along lines, edges,
shape, and color within the work of art.
PATTERN
Pattern is the repetition of objects, shapes, lines or
symbol all over the space or picture plane.
PROPORTION
Proportion is the feeling of
unity created when all parts
(sizes, amounts, or number)
relate well with each other.
REPETITION
repetition works with
patterns to make the work
seem active. The repetition
of elements of design
creates unity within the
artwork.
RHYTHM
Rhythm is created when one
or more elements of design
are used repeatedly to
produce a feeling of
organized, continuous,
sometimes flowing
movement. To keep rhythm
exciting and active, variety
is important.
VARIETY
Variety is the use of several
elements of design that adds
interest in order to hold the
viewer’s attention and guide
the viewer’s eye through
and around the work of art.
UNITY
Unity is the feeling of harmony between and
among the parts of the work of art, which creates
a feeling of completeness in the composition.
THE RULE OF
THIRDS
The Rule of Thirds is used by visual
artists (painters, digital artists and
photographers) to create compositions
that meet the requirements for a good
design. Most artist today, however, don
not use this rule, they opt for free-flowing
composition that is more of their
individual expression rather than works
limited or bounded by basic rules.
The following discussion will briefly
explain the Rule of Thirds:
A surface with two equally paced vertical lines and two equally spaced horizontal
lines.

These lines divide the picture plane into nine equal parts with four intersecting
points.

Based on studies, placing an object in one of the intersecting point results in a

pleasing composition.

Balance is achieved by placing another object at the point opposite the first one.
The Seven Da
Vincian Principles
1. Curiosita
(curiosity)
Curiosita is approaching life
with a heightened level of
wonder and continuous
search to know and learn for
more.
2. Dimostrazione
(independent
thinking)

Dimostrazione is the
commitment to test
knowledge and to persist in
this task, which includes
experiencing both success
and failures in undertaking.
3. Sensazione
(refine your
senses)
Sensazione is experiencing
life through refinement of
the senses. For example, the
eyes should do more than
see, it should be able to
distinguish between the
beauty of various colors,
note minute details and
savor the physicality of
everything the world has to
affer.
4. Sfumato
(embrace
uncertainty)
Sfumato literally translates
to ‘going up in smoke.’ It is
accepting life’s paradoxes
and uncertainties. It is
knowing and realizing that’s
not everything is cause and
effect and that events
happen that even logic
cannot explain.
5. Arte/Scienza
(whole brain
thinking)
Arte/Scienza is finding a
balance between art and
science or logic or
imaginations. This relates to
the concept of a whole brain
thinking (not just the left or
right brain).
6. Corporalita
(mind-body
care)
Corporalita is is taking care
of one’s body. Ensuring that
healthy habits are practiced
and sustained. A sound mind
usually is the product of a
healthy body and vice versa.
7. Connesione
(interconnectedness)

Connesione is realizing that all

things are interconnected. It is
discovering patterns in the
things work and how things
and lives work out.
Interconnectedness is seeing
how events in the past led to
the present situation. A closer
study of history would make
one realize how events in the
past explains the present.