Topic: 4 The Elements and Principles of Art

Introduction

This topic discusses the elements and principles of art and design are essential
components of art and design used as a guide to creating works of art. Different forms of art
share the use of the same concept of elements and principles.

Learning Outcomes
At the end of the topic, you are expected to:
a. identify the elements and principles of art
b. create/complete a matrix depicting the compositions and blend of the
various element and principle of art

Course Guide:

No. of Strategies Learning Activity Submission

Class
Meeting
s

2 Textual Reading Completion of matrix about October 12, 2020

(individual how the elements and
reading of principles work together to Monday, 8:00 AM
module, create a strong composition in a Google classroom
Monday) particular work.

Online group
discussion (in
their respected
group chats)
tasks completion
(Wednesday)

Learning Content

Elements of Art

Are stylistics features that are included within an art piece to help the artist
communicate. The seven most common elements include lines, shape, texture, form, space,
color and value with the additions of mark making, materiality. When analyzing these
intentionally an element, the viewer is guided toward a deeper understanding of the work.

What are the elements of Art?

Elements of Art
-are the components or part which can be isolated and defined in any visual design or work of
art. They structure and carry the work.

Types of Elements of Art:

Line - can be used for a wide range of purposes: stressing a word or phrase, connecting
content to one another, creating patterns, dividing up space and much more.
- Lines can create a sense of movement or direction in your design.
-
Shape- can be used to create a pattern, organize and divide space, and draw the viewer’s
attention.
Categories of Shapes:

 Geometric Shapes- circles, squares, rectangles and triangles. We see them in

architecture and manufactured items.
 Organic Shapes- leaf, seashells, flowers. We see them in nature and with
characteristics that are free flowing, informal and irregular.
 Positive Shapes- In a drawing or painting positive shapes are the solid form in a
design such as a bowl of fruit. In a sculpture it is the form of the sculpture.
 Negative Shapes- In a drawing it is the space around the positive shape or the shape
around the bowl of fruit. In sculpture it is empty shape around and between the
sculptures.
 Static Shape- Shapes that appears stable and resting.
 Dynamic Shape- Shapes that appears moving and active.

Colors- Is used to generate emotions, create unity, make something stand out, and
generally create visual interest.
Categories of Color
Color wheel a tool used to organize color. It is made up of:

 Primary Colors- Red, Yellow, Blue these colors can be mixed, they must be
bought in some form.
 Secondary Colors- Orange, Violet, Green, and these colors are created by mixing
primaries.
 Tertiary/Intermediate Colors- Red Orange, Yellow Green, Blue Violet, etc.;
mixing a primary with a secondary creates these colors.
 Analogous Colors- The analog colors are those colors which lie on either side of
any given color.
 Complementary Colors- are colors that are opposite to each other on the color
wheel. When placed next to each other they look bright and when mixed together
they neutralize each other.
 Monochromatic- is where one color is used but in different values and intensity.
  Warm Colors- are on one side of the color wheel and they give the feeling of
warmth for example red, orange and yellow are the color of fire and feel warm.
 Cool Colors- are on the other side of the color wheel and they give the feeling of
coolness for example blue, violet are the color of water, green are the color of cool
grass.

Texture- refers to what the surface of an object looks and “feels” like. In a graphic design,
you can mimic the look of different textures to add depth, contrast, and visual interest.

Categories of Texture:
 Real Texture- is the actual texture of an object. Artist may create real texture in art it
visual interest or evoke a feeling.
 Implied Texture—is where a piece of art is made to look like a certain texture. Like a
drawing of a free trunk may look rough but in fact it is just a smooth piece of paper.

Size- is how small or large something is. Interesting choices regarding size can attract
attention or define the importance of an element in the design.

Space- is the area around or between elements of the design. It can be used to separate or
group information. Used effectively it can lead the eye through a design.

 Positive Space: the space the subject takes up.

 Negative Space: the space surrounding the subject.

Text- different texts have different moods. They can be clean and modern, classic and
professional, casual and fun, aggressive, mature historical, and so on. Try to match fonts
together that you believe complement each other.

Options:
 Serif fonts
 Sans-serif fonts
 Script fonts
 Artistic fonts

Principles of Design

The principles of good design are the tools every artist uses to create an effective
composition. These tools are: balance, contrast, emphasis, movement, proportion, repetition,
simplicity, space and unity. How well an artist understands the uses these tools will determine
if the composition is a weak or strong one. The desired outcomes should be a work of art that
is both unified and aesthetically pleasing to look at. In a series of discussions well take a look
to each one of these principle.

What is Principles of Design?

Principles of Design- are the artistic guidelines used to organize or arrange the structural
elements of design.
What are the Principles of Design?

Principles of Design

Balance- is the concept of visual equilibrium, and relates to our physical sense of balance.

Kinds of Balance
Asymmetrical Balance - it involves placement of objects in a way that will allow objects of
varying visual weight to balance one another around a central point.
Symmetrical balance – described as having equal weight on equal sides of a centrally placed
fulcrum.
Bilateral symmetry – when the elements are arranged equally o either side of central axis.
Radial Balance - this axis may be horizontal or vertical. It is also possible to build formal
balance by arranging elements equally around a central point

Rhythm- refers to a regular repetition of elements of art to produce the look and feel of
movement. It is often achieved through the careful placement of repeated components which
invite the viewers eyes to jump rapidly from one to another

Emphasis- creates focal point in the design composition; it is how we bring attention to what
is important in it.

Contrast- is simply defined as difference. Difference between elements or subject with a

work of art or composition.

Movement- is a visual flow of your design. It’s the path that you intended your viewer’s eye
to follow.

Harmony- is a visual design means all part of the visual image relates to and complements
each other.

Repetition- helps to create patterns. When you repeat the use of any design element, it is also
creates cohesiveness.

Unity- refers how well the elements of design work together. Visual elements should have
clear relationship with each other in a design.

Proportion- refers to the size of an object in relationship to another object

*END OF MODULE*
 LEARNING ACTIVITY (group task)

Art Activity (Elements and Principles of Design Matrix)

Instructions: Briefly, complete the matrix about how the elements and principles work
together to create a strong composition in this particular work.

Balance Movement Repetition Contrast Emphasis Pattern Unity

Line

Shape

Form

Color

Value
Texture

Space

If you feel tired, take time to rest,don’t give up. If you feel hungry, get some food/s to
eat. Drink plenty of water to replenish your lost energy. But after these, please don’t
forget that your activities are waiting. Find time to answer the given tasks. Don’t let
papers/modules defeat you.

Sir Gem 