What are the Elements of art and why are they important?

Sketchbook cover:Collage about visual interests.1. Backgroundlarge area of pattern or color2. Middle GroundMain focus3.ForegroundEmbellishments(initials and hr#)half of class to finish

What are the Elements of art and why are they important? • When faced with art snobs. • When stumped for conversation at art galleries. • If ever you have to write a paper on art. It is all elemental, my dear friends!

But for real… • Elements: 6 fundamental aspects of art, they make ART Line Space Value Shape/Form Color Texture • Principals: 7 ways incorporate elements into an artwork. Balance Emphasis Movement Pattern Repetition Rhythm Variety Unity Proportion

Do you like to cook? • Elements are like the INGREDIANTS • Principals are like the RECIPE

Line • Is a continuous mark. The artist Paul Klee said “ Line was a dot taking a walk.” • It has five characteristics: length, width, curvature, depth, and texture.

Shape A shape is an enclosed line. • It has height and width and is usually considered flat…2-D. • There are Geometric shapes… circle, square, rectangle, or triangle. • There are also Organic shapes that are derived from living things.

Form A form is two or more shapes combined. • It has height, width, and depth. • It is considered 3-D and you usually can walk around and/or through it. • The basic geometric forms are sphere, cone, cylinder, and cube.

Space • Is the area the artist works on. • It can be paper, clay, canvas, walls, etc. • It has two characteristics: positive…the object and negative… the voided area surrounding the object.

Positive Space • positive…the object

Negative Space • negative… the voided area surrounding the object.

Color Hue is another word for color. It is the specific shade of a particular color. There are: • 3 Primary colors • 3 Secondary colors • 6 Intermediate colors placed evenly around the basic color wheel.

Primary

Secondary

Intermediate

Neutrals • Mixing two secondary colors together creates…browns • Orange + Green = Yellow Brown (Amber) • Green + Violet = Green Brown (Olive) • Violet + Orange = Red Brown (Rust)

Value • Is the lightness and darkness of a color or neutral gray. • White added to a color is a tint. • Gray added to a color is a tone. • Black added to a color is a shade. • These are also called NEUTRALS.

Texture • The feel of a surface. There are two kinds: • Actual or real… usually made by nature • Implied or fake… usually created by man

Principles of Design Balance • Equilibrium … the feeling of being comfortable in artwork. Where the Elements are placed in the picture in a way so they have equal weight. • There are three kinds… Symmetrical, Radial and Asymmetrical

Symmetrical Balance • Symmetrical or formal balance which is objects centered

Asymmetrical Balance Asymmetrical or informal balance which is more objects on one side or off centered.

Emphasis Drawing attention to the main object. All elements; like line, color, and shapes, direct your eye to the main point.

Movement This is the path the viewer’s eye takes through the artwork, often to focal areas. Such movement can be directed along lines edges, shape and color within the artwork.

Pattern • is the repeating of an object or symbol all over the artwork.

Repetition The act of doing something again. Repeating design elements.

Proportion • is the feeling of unity created when all parts (sizes, amounts, or number) relate well with each other. • The relationship between two objects

Rhythm • Using the elements of design repeatedly to create a feeling of organized movement. • Variety is essential to keep rhythm exciting and active, and moving the viewer around the artwork. • Rhythm creates a mood like music or dancing.

Variety The use of several elements of design to hold the viewer’s attention and to guide the viewer’s eye through the artwork.

Unity The feeling of harmony between all parts of the artwork creating a sense of completeness.

Find 3 pieces of ceramics sculpture or pottery. 1. Glue it in your sketchbook and beside it 2. List and describe the Elements (ingredients) that are apparent in the piece. 3. List and describe the Principles (Recipe) that makes use of these Elements

Example: Elements: • Value: The use of white makes more dramatic shadows and high contrast • Color: The neutral palette makes for a more dramatic piece. • Texture: Very realistic textures • Space: The space inside the lung cavity. • Shape/Form: Obviously a 3D realistic form. Principles: • Variety: Lots of textures and shapes creates variety. • Unity: Similar textures and the monochromatic color scheme unify the piece. • Balance: The piece has very equal weight distribution • Rhythm/Movement: The many lines and textures of the birds give them movement. • Proportion: Shapes and Forms in are proportion according to the space.

What are the Elements of art and why are they important?