GECC 124 ART APPRECIATION

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LANGUAGE OF ART: ELEMENTS AND THE PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN

A. Elements of Art

1. Line Element
Lines are even utilitarian that you use them when you write, when you navigate
through directions, slice your favorite meat or vegetables, etc. But most importantly, lines are
essential elements to art. Lines create art and they provide the impression of path and
movement along a space.

Nature of line

Lines create the impression of movement. As such, when you see art works with lines,
your eyes make a movement in following its direction or path. So, when given visual image,
lines lead your eyes into several directions that allow you to navigate the general space.

Lines can also be differentiated based on length and width. Lines can be slim or thick
depending on your approach. Essentially, lines provide a one-dimensional theme to the piece
of artwork. Dimension, in this regard, is the amount of space the line takes up in a particular
art. To make lines two-dimensional, they need to have an impression of height and depth.
Lines ca also be drawn using different media like pens or pencils, using sticks or even
technological media. Even solidly perceived objects like threads, wires, spiderwebs, tree
trunks are configured to provide perception of lines. While all of them can be perceived as
lines, they differ in terms of the level of dimensions they give to the viewers.

Some lines are even implied in application. When you perceive edges of objects, there
are essentially outlines but not intended to become explicit lines. So, there may be approaches
in the use of lines that intend to stimulate the gestalt in the human mind by interpreting
implied lines as real. For example, when you see a series of dots or dashes, stitches of sewn
dress or trail of footprints create impressions of implied lines.

ART ELEMENTS-LINE 5 TYPES OF LINE IN ART

LINE VARIATIONS

TYPES OF LINES

Vertical lines - Their movement direction is upward or downward. Common applications are upright
trees or standing body of humans, buildings, or infrastructures.

Vertical lines are straight up and down lines that are moving to spcae without any slant and are
perpendicular to horizontal lines. They suggest height and strength because they extend towards the
sky and seem unshakeable.

Horizontal lines - The movement direction is from left to right or vice-versa. Common applications
are body lying down and the horizon.

Horizontal lines are straight lines parallel to the horizon that move from left to right. They suggest
width, distance, calmness and stability.
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Diagonal lines - these are slanted lines. They created an impression of rising and falling. The leaning
tower of Pisa conveys a diagonal or slanted line.

Diagonal lines are straight lines that slant in any direction except horizontal or vertical. When in use,
they suggest movement or lack of stability.

Zigzag lines - These are connected combinations of diagonal lines. They create angular perspective
of lines. Common example are lightning thunders or animated drawings of stars.

Zigzag lines are a series of diagonal lines joined at ends. They can convey action and excitement, as
well as restlessness and anxiety.

Curved lines - These are lines that do not appear linear; hence, directions are not clearly established.
Example of which are the outlines of clouds, leaves and edges of flowers.

Curved lines are lines that bend and change direction gradually. They can be simply wavy or spiral.
Such lines convey the feelings or comfort and ease, as well as sensual quality as they remind us of
the human body.

Line and value

Value is defined as the darkness or lightness of an object. Essentially, the value of a line or the
artwork in general may differ in terms of how much light the surface absorbs and expresses light.
The artwork may have a dark value with little light reflection or light value with more light
reflection. So, applying the line principles to value, lines, may have pressed or rubbed harder on a
sheet of paper. Artists use the technique called crosshatching to create darker themes or value.
This is a technique using crossed lines to create darker shades of a line. Different number types
of pencils can also be made to create different line values. Even using crayon that stroked a
wall surface or sheet of paper may create broken lines or solid lines respectively.

SELF-LEARNING ACTIVITY 1: USING LINES TO CREATE VALUE

With a sheet of long bond paper, divide the whole space into nine equal squares. For
each square, you are to practice drawing different combinations of lines to create
impressions of line values. Do this using different types of writing tool such as pencils,
quill pens, common ballpoint pens and sign-or felt-tip pens. You do not have to limit
yourself to this selection. There may be creative ways to express lines and shades.

Expression of lines

a. Movement of lines

Vertical and horizontal lines

Curved lines
Diagonal lines
Zigzag lines
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b. Contour lines
c. Gesture drawing
d. Calligraphic Drawing

Self Learning activity 2: Maximizing Imagination to Single Element of Art

From the list of words below, choose at least two of the following for you to draw by using
lines and movement only. Make sure to use lines only in showing them. Do not draw
specific objects pertaining to the word. You may choose to use any medium that you think
will work best for this. The list is as follows:

Praying Burning Dancing Rocking

Flowing Flying Singing Marching

SHAPE, FORM AND SPACE

Shape
A shape conveys a defined two-dimensional area. It has an outline around and it is
recognizable through its form. In a sense, by just using an outline, shapes can be formed.

Geometric Shapes - are accurately measured shapes, hence having mathematical bases. The
variations are square, rectangle, triangle, circle, etc. They are used to express feelings of uniformity
and organization. In a decorative sense, they show balance and structure in one’s perception. This
may be apparent in the shapes of a flat television, long and round table, room decors etc.

Free-form shapes - These are the types of shapes that are irregular in structure. They may be
characterized by some combinations of curves and angles. They are not structural and man-made; per
se. Most of them are organically existing in nature such as flowers, animals, humans, islands, trees,
etc.

Forms
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Forms are the three-dimensional aspects of spaces, shapes. While shapes have length and
width or diameter, a characterizing component of form is its depth. Example, a box or a cube is a
form. However, there is an inherent relationship between shapes and forms. So, if you are presented
with a box, each side of the box is represented by a square or rectangle shape.

Space
Space is an essential element ot understanding art as it involves the outer and inner spaces of
an artwork. This refers to a hypothetical area in which the subject of art and other elementsof art
operate. In relation t shapes and form, space allows them to exist in space. So, space is also assumed
to be the empty canvass where work and the art can be accomplished.

Positive Space - The shapes and forms of art are the positive space of an art.
Negative Space - The empty spaces, on the other hand, are the negative space.

Illusion of Depth using Gestalt Principles of perception

Depth can be defined as relative distance. With several objects defining the artwork, it may
be necessary to give it some depth to visualize the story behind it. From Gestalt principes of
perception, theseare techniques that can be used to create the impression of depth.

 Overlapping - The first object covers a second object. In effect, the first object becomes closer
or nearer to the viewer.

 Size - Large objects often are perceived to be nearer than the relatively smaller ones.
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 Placement - Objects placed on the lower plane of the space create impression of them being
nearer. The more distant are those at the eye or top level of the space.

 Detail - objects with clearer details are usually nearer while those with finer and less details
seem to be farther.

 Color - Brightly or vividly colored objects seem nearer than the dull ones.

 Converging Lines - As parallel lines move away from your point of view; they move closer to
the horizon which makes a perception of distance farther away from you. The farthest the
convergence can be called the vanishing point.
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