The Elements of Art
The Elements of Art are stylistic features that are included within an artwork to help an artist communicate to the viewer. Think of these as the building blocks of an artwork. They consist of 7 components: line, shape, color, value, form, texture, and space. Each day we will tackle one of these until we get through all of them. In the future weeks, we will be taking on the role of art appreciators, evaluating master artworks by a variety of artists so it is really important that you understand the fundamentals in order to analyze and talk about artworks in a meaningful way.
LINE
The definition of LINE is a path created by a point moving in space. Think about when you place your pencil on a paper - it initially creates a dotted mark, but then when you start moving it across the paper, it becomes a line! There are all types of lines - curvy, straight, zig-zagged, and so on. Lines can also be different thicknesses. Watch the video below to see directions on how to create your mini-artwork based on LINE.
Shape
The definition of SHAPE is a flat enclosed area that is two-dimensional. It contains both length and width. Think about when you draw a line that connects to itself, it creates a shape because it is now enclosed. There are two types of shapes, organic and geometric. Organic shapes have curvy, smooth edges. Geometric shapes have straight edges and sharp corners. Watch the video below to see directions on how to create your mini-artwork based on SHAPE.
FOrm
The definition of FORM is at three-dimensional shape that has volume and takes up space. It contains length, width, and depth. Forms can also be organic and geometric, and have a more traditional look to them or be more abstract and free formed. Form is usually used to describe sculptures but can also be depicted in drawings too. Watch the video below to see directions on how to create your mini-artwork based on FORM.
texture
The definition of TEXTURE is the way a surface feels OR how it looks like it would feel. This is called implied and actual textures. Implied texture (also known as visual texture) is something that is only seen with your eyes. It can not be touched or felt with your hands. Actual texture (also known as real texture) is something that can be physically felt with your hands. Watch the video below to see directions on how to create your mini-artwork based on TEXTURE.
COLOR
The definition of COLOR is the hue that is produced when light reflects off of an object or surface. To see color, there must be a light source. Different colors are simply the result of different levels of light being reflected into our eyes, which we are then able to identify and perceive. Color is a pretty complicated topic, so to keep things organized, know there are three color categories which include primary, secondary, and intermediate (tertiary) colors. Primary colors are the building blocks of all colors and include red, yellow, and blue. With these three colors, you can make any other color that exists! Secondary colors are a result of mixing primaries together and include orange, green, and violet (purple). Intermediate colors are the result of mixing a primary and a secondary color together and include yellow-orange, red-orange, yellow-green, blue-green, red-violet, and blue-violet. Watch the video below to see directions on how to create your mini-artwork based on COLOR.
Value
The definition of VALUE is the lightness or darkness of a color. Another term for value is tone. A value scale shows the range of a color from dark to light. In drawing, a value scale is created by using varied pressures to create tones from very dark to very light (more pressure = darker values while less pressures = lighter values). In a painting, a value scale is created by adding black and white paints to an original color, creating tints and shades. Tints are created when white is added to an original color while shades are created when black is added to an original color. Adding value to a drawn shape can make an artwork look 3-D! Watch the video below to see directions on how to create your mini-artwork based on VALUE.
Space
The definition of SPACE is the distances of areas around, between, and within the different components of an artwork. Space is used to create the illusion of depth within an artwork and can be done in many different ways. Space can be positive of negative, open or closed, shallow or deep, and two-dimensional or three-dimensional. There are several different ways an artist can create space within an artwork including but not limited to:
- Drawing an image that fills up the whole paper or extends off the sides of the paper (this is called continuation)
- Draw shapes that are small, medium, and large in size - this is called variation.
- Draw one shape/image on top of another - this is called overlapping.
- When drawing a landscape, include a clear foreground, middle ground, and background, making sure objects look smaller in the distance and larger closer up.