ELEMENTS OF DESIGN
− Line – can be defined as the path of a moving point.
Can be made with a variety of tools including brushes, pencils
and pens.
Sculptural work lines – wire, steel, wood or any other
material.
Has length, thickness and direction. Usually described as
straight, curvy, horizontal, vertical, diagonal. Zigzag, bold, light
and angular.
− Contour Line – lines that describe an edge.
− Cross Contour Line – lines that describe surfaces, texture, form and
volume.
− Organic Line – lines that imitate the lines and shape found in nature.
− Geometric Line – lines with hard edges and angles that replicate lines
found in man-made object or geometry.
− Line Weight – refers to the thickness or thinness of a line. The weight of
a line may also be used to create a sense of motion or depth.
− Shape – an enclosed space.
− Organic Shapes – shapes that mimic shapes found in nature.
− Geometric Shapes – mimic man-made shapes and generally have
corners and flat sides.
− 2-D Shapes – drawn on a flat surface.
− 3-D Shapes – created in a real or three-dimensional space.
− Positive Shape – exist in positive space. They are usually objects or
things that occupy the foreground of a 2-d work of art.
− Negative Shape – shapes that exist between positive shapes or spaces.
Become the background.
Mimic the positive shapes
− Space – the area between or within shapes or forms.
Refers to the visual area or environment created by work of
art.
Most vital elements to create impactful works.
− Two-Dimensional Space – a measurable distance on a surface which
shown length and width but lacks thickness or depth.
Space that exist on a flat surface.
− Three-Dimensional Space – a sensation of space that seems to have
length, width, and height to create visual or real depth.
− 6 Ways to create the Illusion of Space on a 2-D Surface
Overlapping – occurs when items in the viewer’s line of sight block
the vision of objects behind them.
Placement on the Paper – objects that are positioned lower on the
picture plane will appear closer that objects that are position higher
on the picture plane.
Size – objects that are closer to a viewer appear larger than objects
that are further off in the distance.
Shading – light and shadow create the illusion of form and space.
Value – nearby objects appear warmer in color and to have a
darker value. Further away objects appear cooler in focus and
lighter in value.
Linear Perspective – a drawing method that uses lines to draw
objects in space.
− Figure Ground Relationship – relationship between positive and negative
shapes in a composition.
− Form – the world in which we live is mostly composed of forms.
refer to 3D objects with dimensions of height, width, and
depth.
− Organic Forms – are free-flowing, curvy, sinewy, and are not symmetrical
or easily measurable or named. Most often occur in nature.
− Geometric forms – forms that are mathematical, precise, and can be
named.
− 4 key elements of Shadow
Cast Shadow – created on the surface behind the object block the
path of the light
Core Shadow – appear darkest within the shadow
Highlight – area reflecting the most light within the light area
Mid-tone – the transition area from light into shadow
− Value – how light and dark appear in a piece of art.
− Value Scale – range of darkness to lightness within your painting.
9 values that range between white and black
− Contrast - is a compositional element in art and a principle of art and
design.
− High Contrast - refers to an image where there is a big difference
between the light and dark values.
− Low Contrast - when there is not much difference between the light and
dark values
− Texture – perceived surface quality of a work of art.
− 3 types of texture
Physical Texture – can be physically touched and felt
Visual or Implied Texture – illusion of how an object would feel
Pattern texture – abstracted or stylized into pattern
− 2 Sub-Types of Visual or Implied Texture
Simulated Texture – meant to accurately simulate real life texture
Invented Texture – 2d patterns of repeating lines and shapes
