Elements & Principles of Art

Elements & Principles of Art
What’s the difference between the two?
 The elements of design can be thought of as the
things that make up an artwork (the ingredients).
 The principles of design are ways to organize the
elements of design.
 How we apply the principles of design determines
how successful we are in creating a work of art.

Elements of Art
 Line
an elongated mark
 Types of Line:
horizontal/ vertical / diagonal/ jagged / smooth /
squiggly/ calligraphic (varying thickness)
 In your sketchbook, create a design that uses 5
different types of line, including calligraphic line.

Elements of Art
 Value – using shading to make things look 3D;
amount of light (tint) and dark (shade)
 Variety
light dark
white black
 Demonstrate a range of 10 values in
your sketchbook.

Elements of Art
 Colour
reflected light
 Types of Colour:
primary (red, blue, yellow)
secondary (purple, green, orange)
tertiary (red-violet, blue-violet, blue-green, yellow-green)
 Colour Relationships:
analogous (neighbours; blue & blue-green,
yellow & yellow-orange)
complementary (opposites; blue-orange, red-green, purple-yellow)
monochromatic (using tints and shades of one colour)

Colour Wheel

Elements of Art
Making your Colour Wheel:
1. Draw a circle, using a guide.
2. Divide the circle into three.
3. Divide each third into four.
4. Before colouring mark where each colour will be placed. Make
sure the primary colours are equally spread out around the circle
(one primary colour in each third).
5. Make sure you have room for primary, secondary, & tertiary
colours, with no extra space remaining.
6. Use only primary colours to mix secondary & tertiary colours. This
will help your Colour Wheel to look like a continuous blend.
7. Label analogous & complementary colours.

 Shape
a two-dimensional enclosed area
 Types of Shape:
geometric (controlled, regular) /
organic (natural, free-flowing) /
symmetrical (same on both sides) / asymmetrical
 In your sketchbook, draw 4 different shapes:
a symmetrical geometric shape, an asymmetrical
geometric shape, a symmetrical organic shape, and
an asymmetrical organic shape
Elements of Art

Elements of Art
 Form
three-dimensional shape; enclosed volume
 How can you create the illusion of form on a
2D surface?

Elements of Art
Creating Form on Paper:
Use shading to . . .
• create a sphere.
• create a cone.
• create a cylinder.
• create an open cup.

Elements of Art
 Texture
the way an object feels
 How can you create the illusion of texture on a 2D
surface?

Elements of Art
Creating Texture on Paper:
• Draw an outline of a simple creature (an
animal, a monster, an alien).
• Fill in your outline using at least 3 different
textures. Use a variety of lines to achieve
different textures.

Elements of Art
 Space
the area an object takes up, or the
distance between objects
 Types of Space:
positive space (filled in)
negative space (empty)

Elements of Art
Showing Space:
• Draw an object of your choice.
• Colour/shade in the object.
• In a new space, draw a different object.
• Colour/shade in the space around it.
• Underneath your drawings, identify what type of
space is filled in (negative or positive).

Principles of Design
 The principles of design are ways to organize the
elements of design.
 Ex. – you can place different colours next to each
other to create a specific effect.
 When used well, an artist creates an interesting
composition (arrangement of things).

Principles of Art
 Balance
spreading things out evenly
 Types of Balance:
Formal (symmetrical), informal (asymmetrical), and
radial (growing from a centre point)

Principles of Art
Types of Balance:
Create 3 drawings that show:
 Formal balance
 Informal balance
 Radial balance

Principles of Art
 Contrast
clashing; placing different elements
next to each other
 What are some types of contrast?

Principles of Art
 Proportion
comparative size;
relative size

Principles of Art
 Pattern - evenly repeated images

Principles of Art
 Rhythm/Movement
movement caused by unevenly repeating an element

Principles of Art
Create rhythm/ movement by
repeating lines:
• Calm – horizontal lines
• Excited – vertical lines
• Dynamic movement – diagonal lines

Principles of Art
 Emphasis/Focus - creating a centre of attention
 How can you do that?

Principles of Art
 Unity - matching, harmony, likeness, similarity
 How can you create unity in an artwork?

Principles of Art
 Variety - having different types of one element
 Types of variety?

Composition
 the plan, placement or arrangement in an art work
 Any work of art from music to writing is arranged or put
together using conscious thought.
Do it on purpose!
 Composition causes a response from the viewer.
 There are artists whose sole aim is to disrupt traditional
composition, and challenge the viewer to think differently.

Composition
 Orientation/Direction:
1. Horizontal – calming effect
2. Vertical – stressful effect
3. Diagonal – dynamic, creates a sense of movement
4. Curved lines - create a sense of flow within an image.
5. Blurred images can also create a reaction (confusion?).

Composition
 Viewpoint:
1. viewing the subject from above makes it seem
weak and small (bird’s eye view)
2. viewing the subject from below makes it seem
strong and large (worm’s eye view)
3. A subject can seem more dramatic when it
fills the frame; this also reduces distractions.

Composition
 Rule of Thirds
1. Place the
important things
at the intersections.
2. Avoid centering the
subject – it’s boring!

Composition
 Simplicity
1. By limiting the extras, the viewer is more likely to focus on
the important stuff.
2. Reduce clutter by using lighting. The brighter areas of the
image tend to draw attention.
3. Fade in - use less detail towards the edges of the picture.
4. Point to your focal point - using lines, shapes, and
colour.

Composition
 The Rule of Odds
1. an odd number of objects in an image is more
interesting than an even number
2. triangles are pleasing shapes within an image.
For example, in the face, the mouth and eyes
make a triangle.

Critique
 An analysis of artwork
 Discuss the elements & principles of
design used in the artwork.
 BE SPECIFIC! GIVE EXAMPLES!

Critiques
1. What do you see? Describe your first impression of
the artwork. (does it remind you of something?...)
2. Describe three elements of design in the artwork.
3. Identify the most obvious principle of design in the
artwork. Explain how the artist achieved it.
4. Describe the mood of the artwork.
(sad, happy, nervous, excited, bored …)

M.C. Escher

L. Da Vinci