Elements and Principles of Art

ELEMENTS OF ART:

The visual components of colour, form, line, shape, space, texture, and value.

Line	An element of art defined by a point moving in space. Line may be two-or three-dimensional, descriptive, implied, or abstract.
Shape	An element of art that is two-dimensional, flat, or limited to height and width.
Form	An element of art that is three-dimensional and encloses volume; includes height, width AND depth (as in a cube, a sphere, a pyramid, or a cylinder).
Value	The lightness or darkness of tones or colours. White is the lightest value; black is the darkest. The value halfway between these extremes is called middle grey.
Colour	An element of art made up of three properties: hue, value, and intensity. • Hue: name of colour • Value: hue’s lightness and darkness • Intensity: quality of brightness and purity
Space	An element of art by which positive and negative areas are defined or a sense of depth achieved in a work of art.
Texture	An element of art that refers to the way things feel, or look as if they might feel if touched.

PRINCIPLES OF ART:

Balance, emphasis, movement, proportion, rhythm, unity, and variety; the means an artist uses to organize elements within a work of art.

Rhythm	A principle of design that indicates movement, created by the careful placement of repeated elements in a work of art to cause a visual tempo or beat.
Balance	A way of combining elements to add a feeling of equilibrium or stability to a work of art. Major types are symmetrical and asymmetrical
Emphasis (contrast)	A way of combining elements to stress the differences between those elements.
Proportion	A principle of design that refers to the relationship of certain elements to the whole and to each other.
Gradation	A way of combining elements by using a series of gradual changes in those elements. (Large shapes to small shapes, dark hue to light hue, etc).
Harmony	A way of combining similar elements in an artwork to accent their similarities (achieved through use of repetitions and subtle gradual changes).
Variety	A principle of design concerned with diversity or contrast. Variety is achieved by using different shapes, sizes, and/or colours in a work of art.
Movement	A principle of design used to create the look and feeling of action and to guide the viewer’s eye throughout the work of art.