Elements and Principles of Art 2-3.

Shape and Form – related to each other

because they both define the space
- needed for the creation of art
SHAPE – refers to 2D (2 dimensions: height,
Elements of Art
width) and 3D (three dimensions: length, width,
1. Visual and height/depth

2. Auditory a. Geometric - squares, triangles, cubes,

spheres, cones etc.
Line – refers to a point moving at an identifiable b. Organic - shapes that are those readily
path occurring in nature, (regular and
- has length and direction, width asymmetrical)
- 1 dimensional 4.Space – refers to a feeling of depth or three
- has variations (orientation/direction, dimensions. It can also refer to the artist's use
shape, thickness of the area within the picture plane. The area
around the primary objects in a work of art is
known as negative space, while the space
occupied by the primary objects is known as
positive space. (Example of artwork: Sculptures)

5. Color – one of the elements that enhances

the appeal of an artwork

a) Horizontal line – normally they are

associated with rest or calm

b) Vertical line – connote evaluation or

height

c) Diagonal line– convey movement or

stability

d) Crooked line – convey violence, conflict Property of color

or struggle Hue – this dimension of color gives its
name. It can be subdivided into :
e) Curved line – used to express softness,
grace, flexibility, or even sensuality - Primary Colors – red, yellow and blue
- Secondary Colors – green, orange and
violet
Francisco de Goya - Tertiary Colors – six in total, these hues
are achieved when primary and
• Known for his prints, master of etched secondary colors are mixed.
works and use of aquatint
Value – refers to the darkness or brightness of Planes and Perspectives
colors
Picture Plane - is the actual surface of the
- Used by the artist to create illusion of depth painting or drawing, where no illusion of a
and solidity, mood, communicate a feeling, or third dimensions exists. (as if you are
establishing a scene (day and night) looking through a window)

- Light colors – taken as the source of

light in the composition
Linear perspective - is a mathematical
- Dark colors – the lack or even the
system used to create the illusion of space
absence of light
and distance on a flat surface.
- Tint – this is a lighter color than the
normal value (pink for red) To properly use the linear perspective a
- Shade – this is a darker color than a painter has to imagine the canvas as an
normal value(maroon for red) "open window" through which he sees the
subject of the painting.
Intensity – refers to the color’s brightness or
dullness

- strength of color

Bright or warm colors – positive energy

Dull or cool colors – sedate/soothing,

seriouness or calm

Monochromatic harmonies – use the variations

of a hue.

- use any single color plus tints, shades and Proponents of Linear Perspective
tones of the same color. 1. Leon Battista Alberti
Complementary harmonies – involve two 2. Paolo Uccello
colors opposite each other in the color wheel. 3. Filippo Brunelleschi

Analogous harmonies – make use of two colors It was used based on the following
in the color wheel. observations:
a. As forms and objects recede, the smaller
6. Texture –the perceived surface quality of a they become.
work of art. It may be perceived physically, b. We were taught that parallel lines never
through the sense of touch, or visually, or both meet. However, when they too, seem to
converge when they recede into a distance,
• Textures in the two-dimensional plane –
at a point, they both disappear.
texture can be implied using one
technique or a combination of other the point of
elements of art. disappearance Vanishing point

• Surface texture – refers to the texture

of the three dimensional art object
Three types of Perspective Elements of Art : Auditory

a. One-point perspective- this type of Music – is a kind of art that is classified as an

perspective show parallel lines that auditory art
seem to converge at a specific and lone - a kind of art that is commonly used and
vanishing point, along the horizontal answers a specific role or function
line. (used in depicting roads, tracks,
hallways or rows of trees) Elements of Music:

1. Rhythm – pulse of the music

- often associated to the term beat,

meter and tempo

 BEAT - the basic unit of music

 TEMPO – refers to the speed of music
 METER - refers to the regularly
recurring patterns and accents such
b) Two-point perspective – refers to a as bars and beats.
painting or drawing that makes use of
Variations in Tempo:
two vanishing points, which can be
 Largo – slowly and broadly
placed anywhere along the horizon line.
 Andante – walking pace
(used in depicting houses or buildings in
 Moderato – at moderate speed
the landscape that are viewed from a
 Allegro – fast
specific corner.)
 Vivace – lively
 Accelerando – gradually speeding up
 Rallentado – gradually slowing down
 Allargando – getting slower, broadening
 Rubato – literally “robbed time” rhythm
is played freely for expressive effect

c. Three-point perspective – the viewer is 2. Dynamics – refers to the loudness or

looking at a scene from above or below quietness of music

d.  Pianissimo [pp] – very quiet

 Piano [p] – quiet
e.  Mezzo piano [mp] – moderately quiet
f.  Mezzo-forte[mf] – moderately loud
 Forte [f] – loud
 Fortissimo [ff] – very loud

crescendo – increase in loudness

decrescendo – decease in loudness
3. Melody – refers to the linear 2. Scale and Proportion
presentation of pitch.
Scale – refers to the size in relation to what is
PITCH – is the highness or lowness of normal for the figure or object in question.
musical sound.
- refers to the overall physical size of an artwork
4. Harmony – refers to the sound of two or objects in the artwork. We always relate
or more notes heard simultaneously. scale to the size of the human body - how big or
5. Timbre – refers to the quality that small the piece is in relation to us. An artist may
distinguishes a voice or an instrument decide to use a scale which is different from
from another. life-sized and this will have an impact on how it
6. Texture – the number of melodies, the feels.
type of layers and their relatedness in a
Proportion – is the size of the
composition
components/objects in relation to one another
when taken as a composition or a unit.
Elements of Art:
- it also refer to the value such as amounts or
The elements of art are the visual tools that number of elements or objects in the
the artist uses to create a composition. composition

Principles of Art
Proportion can be:
The principles of art represent how the artist
2.1 Natural – relates to the realistic size of the
uses the elements of art to create an effect
visual elements in the artwork, especially for
and to help convey the artist's intent.
figurative artworks (accuracy in relation to the
1. Balance – refers to the distribution of real world)
the visual elements in view of their 2.2 Exaggerated – refers to the unusual size
placement in relation to each other. relations of visual elements, deliberately
exaggerating the immensity or minuteness of an
Three Forms of Balance: object.
Symmetrical – the elements used on Diminutive – an element is smaller than
one side are reflected on the other expected
Asymmetrical – the elements that are Monumental – an element appears to be larger
not the same (or of the same weight) than what is presumed.
on each side, putting the heaviness on
one side. 2.3 Idealized – it follows canons of perfection
Radial – there is a central point in the
composition, around which elements 3 – 4. Emphasis and Contrast
and objects are distributed. Emphasis - it allows the attention of the viewer
- it is symmetry in several directions to a focal point(s), accentuating or drawing
attention to these elements or objects.
Contrast - is the disparity between the
elements that figure into the composition.
5 – 6. Unity and Variety
Unity - is about separate parts working together
in a composition.
In an artwork, unity creates a sense of harmony
and wholeness by using similar elements and
placing them in a way that creates a feeling of
“oneness.”
Variety – is the principle that aims to retain the
interest by allowing patches or areas that both
excite and allow the eye to rest.
VARIETY adds interest by using juxtaposition
and contrasting elements within the
composition.

7. Harmony – is when the elements or objects

achieve a sense of flow and interconnectedness.
8. Movement – it refers to the direction of the
viewing eye as it goes through the artwork.
(the focal points can be lines, edges, shape, and
color)
9. Rhythm – is created when an element is
repeated, creating implied movement. It is a
combination of elements repeated, but with
variations
10. Repetition - refers to one object or shape
repeated;
11. Pattern - is a combination of elements or
shapes repeated in a recurring and regular
arrangement