Line: Marks made by a pointed tool: brush, pencil, pen, etc. Lines can vary in width, direction, curvature, length, or color.
Shape: Are formed wherever the ends of a continuous line meet. Geometric shapes
such as circles, triangles or squares have perfect, uniform measurements
and don't often appear in nature. Organic shapes are associated with
things from the natural world, like plants and animals.
Color: Wheels show the primary colors, secondary colors, and the tertiary
(intermediate) colors. They also show the relationships between
complementary colors across from each other, such as blue and orange;
and analogous (similar or related) colors next to each other such as
yellow, green, and blue. Black and white may be thought of as colors
but, in fact, they are not. White light is the presence of all color;
black is the absence of reflected light and therefore the absence of
color.
Value (Tone): Refers to dark and light; the value scale refers to black and white
with all gradations of gray in between. Value contrasts help us to see
and understand a two-dimensional work of art.
Form: Describes objects that are three-dimensional, having length, width, and height.
Texture: Can be rough, bumpy, slick, scratchy, smooth, silky, soft, prickly--the
list is endless. Texture refers to the surface quality, both simulated
and actual, of artwork.
Space: Refers to distances or areas around, between, or within components of a
piece. Space can be positive (white or light) or negative (black or
dark), open or closed,shallow or deep,
and two-dimensional or three-dimensional.
Balance: The comfortable or pleasing arrangement of things in art. There are
three different types of balance: symmetrical, asymmetrical, and radial.
The human figure is symmetrically balanced; the same on the left and
right side. The tree is asymmetrically balanced; its branches are not
distributed equally on each side, but their total weight is balanced
left and right. The sun is an example of radial balance; all its rays
are equal in length from the center.
Contrast: Is created by using elements that conflict with one another. Often,
contrast is created using complementary colors or extremely light and
dark values. Contrast creates interest in a piece and often draws the
eye to certain areas. It is used to make a painting look interesting.
Emphasis: In the focal area of an artwork gives it importance. An artist may
stress some elements of the design over others. The eye of the viewer
will focus on the area of emphasis or center of interest first, then
take in the rest of the composition.
Movement: In an artwork means the artist is taking viewers on a trip through the
work by means of lines, edges, shapes, and colors often leading to the
focal area. Movement is a visual flow through the composition. It can
be the suggestion of motion in a design as you move from object to
object by way of placement and position. Directional movement can be
created with a value pattern. It is with the placement of dark and light
areas that you can move your attention through the format.
Pattern: Are made in art when the same shapes or elements are repeated again and
again. Pattern uses the elements of art in planned or random
repetitions to enhance surfaces of paintings or sculptures.
Rhythm: Is the repetition of shapes, lines, and forms. Rhythm is a movement in
which some elements recurs regularly. Like a dance, it will have a flow
of objects that will seem to be like the beat of music.
Unity: All elements in an artwork are in harmony. Unity brings
together a composition with similar units. For example, if your
composition was using wavy lines and organic shapes you would stay with
those types of lines and not put in even one geometric shape.
