can help you create a
successful
composition

LINE SHAPE VALUE
TEXTURE SPACE FORM
COLOR

A line is a path that a
point takes from one
place to another
through space.
There are many different
kinds of lines.

• Long
• Short
• Fat
• Thin
• Curved
• Diagonal
• Straight
• Wavy
• Zigzag

Horizontal lines suggest a calmness
when used in a composition. An
example would be a horizon line where
the sky meets the ocean.
Andrew Wyeth - Baleen, 1982

Vertical lines seem to be reaching
toward the sky suggesting growth
and inspiration.
Claude Monet Poplar Series-1891

Lines convey emotion too.
Tension
Excitement
Happiness
Sadness

Geometric
shapes
are precise
and
measureable
have
height and width

Organic-Natural
are flat
or 2-dimensional

WHAT IS A SHAPE?WHAT IS A SHAPE?
• AN AREA CLEARLY SET OFF BY ONE OFTHE OTHER ELEMENTS OF ART
• TRANSLATION: USE LINES, COLOR, FORM,
SPACE OR TEXTURE TO MAKE SHAPES

TAKE A LOOK AT THETAKE A LOOK AT THE
REFERENCE PAINTINGS ON MYREFERENCE PAINTINGS ON MY
WEBSITE AND ANSWERWEBSITE AND ANSWER
QUESTIONS ON THE NOTESQUESTIONS ON THE NOTES
FORM!FORM!

TWO KINDS OF SHAPES!TWO KINDS OF SHAPES!
• GEOMETRIC – shapes that look like theywere made mechanically (ruler, etc.)
• ORGANIC – shapes that look like those
in nature; not even and uniform

USE THE LINK ON MR.USE THE LINK ON MR.
MCGEHEE’S SITE TO FIND THEMCGEHEE’S SITE TO FIND THE
SHAPE NOTES FORM ANDSHAPE NOTES FORM AND
ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUTANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT
THE FOLLOWING IMAGES!THE FOLLOWING IMAGES!
WHAT KIND OF SHAPES DO YOUWHAT KIND OF SHAPES DO YOU
SEE IN THE FOLLOWINGSEE IN THE FOLLOWING
IMAGES?IMAGES?

TO YOUR NOTES!TO YOUR NOTES!
FIGURE 1FIGURE 1

TO YOUR NOTES!TO YOUR NOTES!
FIGURE 2FIGURE 2

TO YOUR NOTES!TO YOUR NOTES!
FIGURE 3FIGURE 3

TO YOUR NOTES!TO YOUR NOTES!
FIGURE 4FIGURE 4

A form has height, width and
depth, and is 3-dimensional.
When shapes become forms
A triangle becomes a cone or
pyramid
A square becomes a cube
A rectangle becomes a box

There are two types of texture:
Tactile texture (real texture) is the way the
surface of an object actually feels. Examples
of this include sandpaper, cotton balls, tree
bark, etc.
Implied texture is the way the surface of an
object looks like it feels. The texture may
look rough, fizzy, gritty, but cannot actually
be felt. This type of texture is used by
artists when drawing or painting.

Dried Grass Water Paper
Wood Brick Rocks

• That which is perceived when light hits
and reflects off an object. Three
properties of color are Hue (name of a
color), Intensity (strength of a color)
and value (lightness or darkness of a
color).

COLOR WHEEL

• Learning to mix colors is important.
• Knowing the placement of colors on
the color wheel will help you mix colors
and help you decide which colors to
add to your painting or drawing!
• Your choice of color schemes can
make a big difference in the success of
your project.
• Please review this PowerPoint Presentation that explains
color theory in depth.
http://www.ebps.net/14312062210393137/lib/14312062210393137/color.ppt

• The illusion of space is created
through light and shadow.
• There are two types of space:
positive and negative space. Positive
space refers to the actual subject
matter in a work of art. Negative
space refers to the space around and
between the subject matter.

It is necessary to consider both positive and
negative space when creating a composition.
THEY ARE BOTH IMPORTANT!
• M. C. Escher was able to create drawings where there
was no distinction between positive and negative
space. Here is an example.

refers to the lightness or darkness of a color.
It gives objects depth and perception.

ASSIGNMENT
• Make a new blog post titled “Elements of Art”
• Give each element its own heading. (Example:
“Shapes”)
• Under each heading, give a definition for the
element of art
• Under each definition, place at least two pieces of
art that you feel represent the element of art
– For each piece, you must use the artist’s name,
the piece’s name, the medium, and the year it
was made

ASSIGNMENT
SHAPE
A shape is an area set apart by the other elements of art. It could be a star
shape made from an enclosed line. It could be a squiggle made by erasing
colored in area. There are two types of shapes. Organic, or natural shapes,
aren’t perfect and don’t look man-made. Geometric shapes are perfect and
seem like they’re made mechanically.
Gabriel Orozco
Kytes Tree
Painting
2005