Line is a mark on a surface that can describe a shape or outline and create texture.
- Line quality is the thick and thinness of the mark
- Actual line is a line that is phycially present in the design
- Implied line is a line that is not present, but your eye creates through visual cues
- Contour lines are the lines that define a shape
Shape is space divided or defined by definite edges
- Organic shapes are free form, unpredictable and flowing in appearance (a blob, leaf, tree, etc.)
- Geometric shapes are shapes that have clear and predictable sides (such as a circle, square, hexagon, etc.)
Color is produced when light, striking an object, is reflected back into the eye
- Hue is the name we give to a color
- Intensity is the vividness of a color (intense, dull, saturated)
- Shade is when black is added to a color
- Tint is when white is added to a color
- Color Mixing
- Primary colors are red, yellow, and blue
- Secondary colors are green, orange, and purple
- Monochromatic Color is when all the colors in a composition are made up of tints and shades of one hue
- Warm colors are color that are ‘warm’ in appearance
- Red, yellow, and orange
- Blue, purple, and green
- Can have difference feelings associated with them
Value is the shading of light to dark
- Value adds depth, contrast, and variety to an artwork
Form is a 3-dimentional object having volume and thickness.
- Form can be implied in 2-dimentional artwork by using value to create depth
Texture is the surface quality of an artwork, either literally or visually
- Implied texture is texture on a 2-dimentional artwork created by lines and value
- Real texture is texture that has a 3-dimentional quality and can be felt
Space is the area around, between, or within an artwork
- Positive space is the space an object inhabits
- Negative space is the space around an object
- The illusion of 3-dimentional space can be created by the use of perspective
- 1-point perspective is created with one vanishing point
- Used often for paths/roads/train tracks
- 1-point perspective is created with one vanishing point
- 2-point perspective is created with two vanishing points
- Used often for cityscapes, buildings, houses
- 3-point perspective is created with three vanishing points
- Used often for looking at something from above or below
- There are other types of perspective, but they do not occur naturally with the naked eye (instead distorted through lenses/glass)
Balance is the feeling of visual equality in an artwork when referring to space, value, color, etc.
- Symmetrical Balance is when everything on both sides of a dividing line are equal
- Asymmetrical Balance is when everything on both sides of a diving line are unequal, but the artwork still has balance
- Radial balance is when an artwork is balanced radially, or in a circle.
Contrast is when at least two things are distinctly or strikingly different from each other
- Contrast can be created both visually with the elements and principles of design
- Contrast can be created conceptually with the use of ideas
Emphasis is where you create focus in an artwork.
- Emphasis is created by placement, size, and contrast
Visual movement is the movements in an artwork
- Visual movement can be both implied or literal.
- Visual movement is how your eyes move around an artwork through the use of line, both implied and literal.
- Actual movement refers to sculptural work and is called kinetic art.
Pattern is the repetition of the elements of art in a predictable manner
- Patterns can be created by using line, color, shape, value, etc.
- A motif is the design that is being repeated in a pattern
- Patterns can be a texture or rhythm, but textures and rhythms are not always patterns.
Rhythm is the repetition of shapes, lines, and forms
- There are five types of rhythm:
- Regular rhythms have identical motifs, or visual beats and are equally spaced
- Alternating rhythm changes between sets of motifs at regular intervals,
- Random rhythm is repeated in no apparent order
- Flowing rhythm is rhythm that lacks sharp edges, and use wavy lines and curved shapes
- Progressive rhythm changes in a predictable manner with each visual beat.
Unity is when all the elements and principles of an artwork come together to create a complete, harmonious, balanced, whole.
- Unity can be achieved through using similar elements and principles of design, proximity, or concepts
Variety is to combine different elements and principles of design into one composition
- Variety creates visual interest in an artwork