In order for us to
appreciate art, we need
to study and understand
the basic concepts about
art so as to know more
about its essence.
Compositions of Art
SUBJECT MATTER
It can be a person, animal,
thing, or issue that is described
or depicted in an artwork.
It could be anything that could
ignite an artist’s imagination,
prompting him to create.
Two Types of subject matter.
1. Representational art or Objective art
Representational art are
identifiable figures or objects
Interesting persons or animals
The Human Form
Human Activities
Commemorative Events
Common Objects
Nature and Deity
2. Non- Representational art or Non- Objective art
Does not depict recognizable objects. Neither it
has stories to tell nor descriptions to give
Arts power to communicate rests on the language
of art itself.
Form
It is the specific quality of an artistic expression which includes all
the visual aspects of the work that can be isolated and described
It is the surface feature of an artwork that has nothing to do
with the art’s in- depth meaning
“what you see is what you get”. It is what it is and
nothing else.
Content
It is what the artwork is about. It contains the message
that the artist is trying to communicate.
Through the content, the attitude and personality of the
artist towards his subject is revealed, artistic value,
originality, imaginative quality, sincerity and truth.
Medium
It is the instrument of the artist in translating his feelings
and thoughts into form.
Technique
It is how well an artist knows and uses his medium in
achieving what he wants in his creation. It is how he
selects and arrange his materials to achieve a specific
effects.
ELEMENTS OF ART
Being aware of the elements of art
educates your senses and enriches your
lives. Reviewing the elements will
make you more conscious that they are
all around you all the time, and they
will kept in mind.
Line
It is the fundamental of all the elements. It is an
identifiable path traced by moving point.
Horizontal - Suggests a feeling of rest, infinity, and perfect
stability because objects parallel to the earth are
at rest.
Vertical - Gives an impression of height and dominance or
power as they are pointing or extending towards the
sky.
Diagonal - Convey a feeling of action, movement, unrest or
uncertainty.
Curved - Creates a sense of smoothness, softness, and
continuity.
Shape and Form
Shape - Is a two- dimensional figure (Length
and width) formed when the ends of a
line meet
Circle, square, triangle and rectangle
Form - Exist in three- dimensional (length,
width, height) and can be viewed for
more than one side or perspective.
It could either be geometric figures.
Can be seen in buildings, chairs, tables
And organic one can be found in natures.
Value or Tone
- Refers to the relative lightness or darkness
in anything that is visible.
- It is an essential tool in creating an illusion of
depth.
“chiaroscuro”- an Italian term in an art for the
contrast between light and dark.
- A technique that intensifies the emotions in a
painting and also presents a strong emphasis on
the subject.
Color
- Refers to the product of light of different
wavelengths reflected off objects.
- Color relies on light
Properties of Color
Hue
- Refers to the quality by which we distinguish colors
Value
- Refers to the lightness or darkness of a hue.
Intensity
- Or Saturation refers to the brightness or dullness of a
hue, or the relative purity or strength of a color.
Space
- Refers to the distance between, around,
above, below, and within things
The space occupied by the shape is called
positive space
The space around is called negative space
Texture
- Refers to the surface quality
- Refers to the way things feel, or look
as though they might feel, if touched.
The physical property is
called actual texture
Visual texture influences our
perception in viewing an artwork.
Principles of Design
Balance
- It is a principle of art concerned with arranging elements
so no part of a work overpowers, or seems heavier than any
other part.
Symmetrical or formal balance
- Refers to two sides that are identical to each
other and has equal visual weight
Informal balance or asymmetrical balance
- Refers to two sides that are not identical to
each other yet equal in visual weight.
Proportion
- It is a principle of art concerned with the relationship
of one part to another and of the parts to the whole
- It is a belief that a well- proportioned shape is
pleasing to the eye.
Rhythm
- It is characterized by the repetition or alternation of
elements in an artwork to create a sense of movement,
unite a composition, and establish a pattern or texture.
There are four kinds of Rhythm
Regular Rhythm
- Occurs when the intervals between the elements, and
the elements themselves, are similar in size or length.
Flowing Rhythm
- Signifies directional movement.
Progressive
Shows a developing sequence of forms
Rhythm
Alternating Rhythm
- Displays alternation of elements and may be
applied to all kinds of rhythms.
Emphasis and Subordination
- Principle that makes a creation stand out
by giving more attention to certain parts
and giving importance or dominance to
unit or area
- To give less importance
and to purposely make other
areas of the composition less
visually interesting is
subordination.
Unity and Variety
Unity - Also called harmony, refers
to the coherence of the
elements of a work to the
whole. It is to accomplish a
sense of order and
continuity.
Variety - Refers to the diversity of a
work of art. Variations are
produced to prevent
monotony and uniformity in
the design.
CREATE A WORK OF ART
Draw the best feature
of your face. Make
sure to apply all the
elements of art.
Yellow pad or bond
paper.
Classify the following to which category they
belong. Compositions of art, Elements of art,
Principles of Design.
1. Proportion 11. Value or tone
2. Subject matter 12. Content
3. Balance 13. Texture
4. Horizontal line 14. Rhythm
5. Space 15. Shape
6. Medium 16. Variety
7. Subordination 17. Emphasis
8. line 18. Technique
9. Unity 19. Color
10. shape and form 20. Regular rhythm
Identify the compositions of art.
