CATEGORIES OF ART

Visual/Space arts
*Two-dimensional - are those that possesses the dimensions of height and width but does
not possess depth
*Three-dimensional - are those that occupies three dimension: height, width and depth.
Auditory/time arts
Literary arts
Combined arts

ELEMENTS OF VISUAL ART (OR JUST ART)

1. Line - is a basic element of art, referring to a continuous mark, made on a surface, by a

moving point. It is man's own invention but does not exist in nature. The artist uses lines to
imitate or to represent objects and figures on a flat line. It can be considered in two ways. The
linear marks made with a pen or brush or the edge created when two shapes meet.
Types:
A. Horizontal Line - It creates an impression of width, distance, peacefulness and calmness and
stability.
B. Vertical Line - are straight up and down lines that are moving in space without any slant and are
perpendicular to horizontal lines. They suggest height and strength because they extend towards the
sky and seem unshakable.
C. Diagonal Line - It implies action and lack of stability. They are unbalanced and are filled with
restless and uncontrolled energy
D. Structural Lines are the lines that hold a design together. Structural lines come in a variety of types
with different qualities and characteristics.
E. Contour Lines - describe the shape of an object, and include interior detail.
F. Gesture Lines - Gesture lines are lines that suggest movement and emphasize direction
G. Sketch lines - are used to depict detail. Sketching is seen as a information gathering activity for a
painting or design.
H. Blind contour - drawing contour lines without looking at the paper
I. Zigzag lines - are a combination of diagonal lines that connect at points. They take on the dynamic
and high energy characteristics of diagonal lines.
J. Implied Line - suggests that a line is present without it being drawn or incorporated into the
artwork.
K. Line of sight - A line of sight is established as an implied line between a figures focal point and an
object.
L. Curved lines - are softer than straight lines. They sweep and turn gracefully between end points.
They are less definite and predictable than straight lines.
M. Dividing lines - can also define edges, but what distinguishes them from contour lines is they divide
space.
N. Decoration lines - are used to embellish an object. Cross-hatching is an example of using decoration
lines to add shading and form to an object.

2. Shape - It is an enclosed space, the boundaries of which are defined by other elements of
art. They can be used to simplify ideas. Shape is limited into two dimensions: length and width.
The design element shape pervades all we see. It is a vehicle for the elements of color, tone,
texture size and direction. A single shape cannot exist without generating another (negative)
shape.
Types:
A. Natural Shapes - those we see in nature, such as shapes of men, animals, or trees.
B. Abstract Shapes - formed after the artist has drawn out the essence of the original object and made
it the subject of his work.
C. Non-Objective Shapes - show geometric shapes which seldom have reference to recognizable
objects, but most often they show a similarity to some organic forms.
D. Positive and negative shapes - are in every design, artwork, photograph and sculpture. Positive
shapes are the tangible, actual aspects of a design.
E. Dynamic shapes - characterized by movement of the eye that flows smoothly from one area of the
composition to another, guided by continuations of line or form, and by gradations of color or form.
F. Static shapes - can appear still and composed. They give off the feeling of being stable and resting.

“We react to some shapes because they are symbolic: they suggest or represent meaning. Symbolic
shapes have an important role in communicating ideas in everyday life as well as art.”

3. Form - It is a three-dimensional geometrical figure (i.e.: sphere, cube, cylinder, cone,

etc.), as opposed to a shape, which is two-dimensional, or flat. It allows us as viewers to mentally
capture the work and understand it. A form can be geometric or organic. In relation to art the
term form has two meanings: it can refer to the overall form taken by the work - its physical
nature; or within a work of art it can refer to the element of shape among the various elements
that make up a work.
Types:
A. Geometric forms - are forms that are mathematical, precise, and can be named, as in the basic
geometric forms: sphere, cube, pyramid, cone, and cylinder. A circle becomes a sphere in three
dimensions, a square becomes a cube, a triangle becomes a pyramid or cone.
B. Organic forms - are those that are free-flowing, curvy, sinewy, and are not symmetrical or easily
measurable or named.

- Form is most closely tied to sculpture, since it is a three-dimensional art and has traditionally
consisted almost primarily of form, with color and texture being subordinate.
- Sculptures may be characterized in relative terms as closed or open forms.
- A closed-form has a similar feeling to the traditional form of a solid opaque mass even if spaces exist
within the form, they are contained and confined.
- An open form is transparent, revealing its structure, and therefore has a more fluid and
dynamic relationship with the ambient space.

4. Value - Refers to the lightness or darkness of a color. Value becomes critical in a work
which has no colors other than black, white, and a gray scale.
For a great example of value in action, think of a black and white photograph.
You can easily visualize how the infinite variations of gray suggest planes and textures.
The lightness or darkness of tones or colors.
White is the lightest value; black is the darkest.
The value halfway between these extremes is called middle gray.
Types:
A. High key color scheme - describes the set of colors that range from mid-tone hues to white.
B. Low key color scheme - is the use of mainly dark colors, it spans the range from mid-tone to black

In general, the high key range provides upbeat options, while low key colors provide more dramatic
ones.

VALUE-TERMS
a. Light source - area in which light is originating from
b. Shades - dark values
c. Shadows - areas on an object where light does not hit
d. Value scale - a guide to creating a range of value, good pieces of art have
a full range of value
e. Highlights - areas on an object where light is hitting
f. Tints - light values

5. Space - Refers to distances or areas around, between or within components of a piece. It

can be positive (white or light) or negative (black or dark), open or closed, shallow or deep and
two- dimensional or three-dimensional. Sometimes space isn't actually within a piece, but the
illusion of it is. An element of art by which positive and negative areas are defined or a sense of
depth achieved in a work of art.
Types:
A. Positive space - refers to the 3D object being viewed. It is the actual objects or shapes within an
artwork. It is usually the main focus of the painting, such as a vase of flowers, fruit, or candle in a still
life, a person's face in a portrait, or an animal in a wild life painting, or a building, trees and hills in a
landscape.
B. Negative space - refers to the space around the object. It is the empty or open space that
surrounds an object. It helps to define the object, gives it some breathing room to prevent the
painting from being too crowded and has a huge impact on how the art piece is perceived.

TWO DIMENSIONAL SPACE

When considering two dimensional space we discuss;
a. The picture plane - The picture plane refers to the surface on which
the artist works, whether it be on paper, a canvas or a wall. An artist
may choose to create an illusion of depth by creating perspective, this
draws the viewers eye "into" the artwork and beyond the picture
plane.
b. The illusion of space - There are a few ways that you can use to create the illusion of space. We
examine six ways to create the illusion of space on a 2D surface by using them, an artist can maximize
the illusion.
i. Linear Perspective - a technique of creating an illusion of depth
on a flat surface. All parallel lines in a painting or drawing using
this technique converge in a single vanishing point on the
composition's horizon line.
ii. Overlapping -When one object is positioned in front of another
object, part of the object behind it may be blocked from view.
iii. Size - Objects that are closer to a viewer appear larger than
objects that are further off in the distance.
iv. Placement on the Surface - Generally, objects that are
positioned lower on the picture plane will appear closer than
objects that are positioned higher on the picture plane.
v. Color and Value - Objects that are closer to a viewer appear
darker in value and warmer in color. Objects that are further
away appear lighter in value and cooler in color.
vi. Detail - Objects that are closer appear more detailed than
objects that are further away.
c. Composition

6. Color - Element of art that is produced when light, striking an object, is reflected back to
the eye. An element of art made up of three properties: hue, value, and intensity.

KEY WORDS
a. Colour wheel
b. Primary - red, blue, yellow --> they cannot be made mixing any other colours
c. Secondary - purple, orange, green --> made by mixing the primaries
d. Complementary - Complimentary colours are opposite each other on the
colour wheel. When used together within an artwork they make each other
seem brighter and more dynamic.
e. Analogous - Analogous colours are colours which are near each other on the
colour wheel.
f. Monochromatic

g. Cool
 h. Warm
Colours are also considered to be cool and warm. The colour wheel here shows the natural division of
the colour wheel, however this isn't always accurate.

i. Spectrum - Color derives from the spectrum of light (distribution of light

energy versus wavelength) interacting in the eye with the spectral sensitivities
of the light receptors.
i. Long radio waves
ii. Short radio waves
iii. Micro waves
iv. Infrared rays
v. Ultra violet rays
vi. X-rays
vii. Gamma rays
viii. Cosmic rays

THREE PROPERTIES OF COLOR

j. Hue - Is the name of colour itself, it refers to the position of the colour in the
spectrum
k. Value - refers to the lightness or darkness of a colour. We change colour
value by adding black or white (tint or shade)
l. Intensity - Refers to the brightness of a colour, we can change this by adding
black, white or the complimentary colour

m. Neutral

7. Texture - Shows whether the surface is rough or smooth. It refers to the surface quality
in a work of art. Some things feel just as they appear; this is called physical or real texture. Some
things look like they are rough but are actually smooth. Texture that is created to look like
something it is not, is called visual or implied texture. An element of art that refers to the way
things feel, or look as if they might feel if touched.
Types:
A. Physical Texture - is the texture you can actually feel with your hand. The build up of paint,
slipperiness of soft pastel, layering of collage - all the things that change the nature of a surface.
B. Visual Texture - is the illusion of physical texture, created with the materials you use. Paint can be
manipulated to give the impression of texture, while the support surface remains smooth and flat.
8.