Elements of Art

The Elements of Art are the building blocks

that make up an image.

•Vertical

•Horizontal

•Diagonal

•Curved

•Zigzag

Types of Lines

What different lines express…

Depending upon its direction, a line

brings up different ideas or feelings

in your viewer based on his

experience of the world.

Vertical Lines

• Height

• Power

• Spirituality

• Stable

• Dignified

• Formal

Horizontal Lines

• Restful

• Peaceful

• Quiet

• Stability

• Comfort

• Relaxation

• Movement

• Instability

• Tension

• Excitement

• Discomfort

Diagonal Lines

Curved Lines

• Movement

• Graceful

• Sensual

• Feminine

• Spiral can be hypnotic

Zig-Zag and Angled Lines

• Extreme action

• Confusion

• Nervousness

• Excitement

Leading Lines

Lines can help

guide the. viewer’s

eye to an inportant

area of the image

•Shape

•Form

•Space

Shape, Form, & Space

These elements are closely related

because shape and form define space.

Positive & Negative Space

Shape Vs. Form

Shapes:

Two-Dimensional- Width and Height

Forms:

Three-dimensional- Width, Length and Height

Types of Shapes & Forms

Geometric:

Precise shapes that can be

described mathematically,

like squares or triangles

Free-form or organic:

Irregular and uneven shapes.

What kinds of shapes did Salvador Dali use in “The

Persistence of Memory”?

How did photographer Arnold Newman use

shape and space to make an effective portrait

of composer Igor Stravinski?

Value

Value refers to darkness or light. In drawing and

painting, value gives dimension to an object

Artists use value to

create a sense of

lighting as well as

dimension.

Chiaroscuro is a

painting technique

which uses a wide

range of values to

create beautiful

lighting effects.

Texture

Texture adds visual interest and

dimension to artwork.

Texture

Texture can be real and tactile as in 3D art

Texture can be simulated as in a

drawing or a painting

Texture

Some artists, like Van Gogh combine

both tactile and visual texture.

Pattern

Pattern is repetition

in an artwork,

whether exact or

varied.

The Kiss

Gustav Klimt

Pattern

Pattern creates

rhythm and can

create emphasis.

Pattern visually

organizes the

composition to create

a sense of order.

Frida Kahlo

Diego on my mind

Pattern

What elements are being repeated in

this drawing by MC Escher?

Color

Color

Color Schemes

• Color schemes affect how the

viewer reacts to a composition.

• Certain schemes can be calming,

others create visual tension.

• Powerful art happens when you are

deliberate with you use of color,

HUE, TINT, SHADE

Color Schemes

Color: Warm Color Scheme

Color: Cool Color Scheme

Color:

Complementary Color

Scheme

Color:

Monochromatic Color

Scheme

Color: Harmonious/Analagous Color Scheme

Color: Which color scheme?