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, draw 5 different types of lines.
Elements of Art
   Value
    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)
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.
Elements of Art
   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
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 different types of
   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

Elements & Principles of Design

  • 1.
  • 2.
    Elements & Principlesof 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.
  • 3.
    Elements of Art  Line an elongated mark  Types of Line: horizontal/ vertical / diagonal/ jagged / smooth / squiggly/ calligraphic (varying thickness)  In your sketchbook, draw 5 different types of lines.
  • 4.
    Elements of Art  Value amount of light (tint) and dark (shade)  Variety light dark white black  Demonstrate a range of 10 values in your sketchbook.
  • 5.
    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)
  • 6.
    Elements of Art Makingyour 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.
  • 7.
    Elements of Art  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
  • 8.
    Elements of Art  Form three-dimensional shape; enclosed volume  How can you create the illusion of form on a 2D surface?
  • 9.
    Elements of Art CreatingForm on Paper: Use shading to . . . • create a sphere. • create a cone. • create a cylinder. • create an open cup.
  • 10.
    Elements of Art  Texture the way an object feels  How can you create the illusion of texture on a 2D surface?
  • 11.
    Elements of Art CreatingTexture 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.
  • 12.
    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)
  • 13.
    Elements of Art ShowingSpace: • 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).
  • 14.
    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).
  • 15.
    Principles of Art  Balance spreading things out evenly  Types of Balance: Formal (symmetrical), informal (asymmetrical), and radial (growing from a centre point)
  • 16.
    Principles of Art Typesof Balance: Create 3 drawings that show:  Formal balance  Informal balance  Radial balance
  • 17.
    Principles of Art  Contrast clashing; placing different elements next to each other  What are some types of contrast?
  • 18.
    Principles of Art  Proportion comparative size; relative size
  • 19.
    Principles of Art  Pattern - evenly repeated images
  • 20.
    Principles of Art  Rhythm/Movement movement caused by unevenly repeating an element
  • 21.
    Principles of Art Createdifferent types of rhythm/ movement by repeating lines: • Calm – horizontal lines • Excited – vertical lines • Dynamic movement – diagonal lines
  • 22.
    Principles of Art  Emphasis/Focus - creating a centre of attention  How can you do that?
  • 23.
    Principles of Art  Unity - matching, harmony, likeness, similarity  How can you create unity in an artwork?
  • 24.
    Principles of Art  Variety - having different types of one element  Types of variety?
  • 25.
    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.
  • 26.
    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?).
  • 27.
    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.
  • 28.
    Composition  Rule of Thirds 1. Place the important things at the intersections. 2. Avoid centering the subject – it’s boring!
  • 29.
    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.
  • 30.
    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.
  • 31.
    Critique  An analysis of artwork  Discuss the elements & principles of design used in the artwork.  BE SPECIFIC! GIVE EXAMPLES!
  • 32.
    Critiques 1. What doyou 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 …)
  • 33.
  • 34.