Art Elements and principles

what is an art element?

Elements of art are the basic properties of a work of art that may be perceived through the senses. In a painting, for instance, the properties that may be perceived through our senses are texture, form, shape, color, line and value (tone). Other elements, for instance sound and time, may be perceived in other art forms such as music and video. The way the elements of an artwork relate to each other and are organized in the artwork are referred to as the principles of art

Name all art principles

Juxtaposition, Harmony, Pattern, Balance, Contrast, Emphasis, Focal Point, Proportion, Repetition, Space, Scale, Unity, Variety

Name all 9 Art Elements

Texture, Shape, Colour, Tone, Line, Movement, Sound, Time, Light

What is an art principle ?

The principles of visual art are the rules, tools and/or guidelines that artists use to organize the elements of art in an artwork. When successfully combined with the elements of art they aid in creating an aesthetically pleasing or interesting work of art.

what are 5 words to describe line?

delicate, undulating, subtle, complex, parallel

How can you talk about colour?

hue, shade, tint, primary, secondary, tertiary, complementary, monochromatic, cool, warm, neutral,

what are 5 words to describe time?

infinite, suggested, divided, real, artificial

what is proportion?

is a measurement of the size and quantity of elements within a composition. In ancient arts, proportions of forms were enlarged to show importance. This is why Egyptian gods and political figures appear so much larger than common people. The ancient Greeks found fame with their accurately-proportioned sculptures of the human form. Beginning with the Renaissance, artists recognized the connection between proportion and the illusion of 3-dimensional space.

What is emphasis?

is a principle of art which occurs any time an element of a piece is given dominance by the artist. In other words, the artist makes part of the work stand out, in order to draw the viewer's eye there first.

What is Harmony?

is achieved in a body of work by using similar elements throughout the work, harmony gives an uncomplicated look to a piece of artwork or sculpture. Color harmony or color theory is also considered a principle through the application of the design element of color.

What is balance?

is arranging elements so that no one part of a work overpowers, or seems heavier than any other part. The three different kinds of balance are symmetrical, asymmetrical, and radial. Symmetrical (or formal) balance is the most stable, in a visual sense. When both sides of an artwork on either side of the horizontal or vertical axis of the picture plane are exactly (or nearly exactly) the same the work is said to exhibit this type of balance. It is also a principle that deals with the visual weight of an artwork.

What is 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 more visually interesting.

What is Pattern?

is showing consistency with colors or lines. Putting a red spiral at the bottom left and top right, for example, will cause the eye to move from one spiral, to the other, and everything in between. It is indicating movement by the repetition of elements. Rhythm can make an artwork seem active

what is a focal point?

is the center of interest or activity in a work of art. It may or may not be the actual center of a painting or drawing, but it is always the most important part. Contrast, structure and color are three things that help define the focal point.

what is unity?

is the concept behind the artwork. An analogy would be the way in which a conductor directs a wide variety of instruments in an orchestra to produce symphony that is recognized as a single comprehensible piece. Unity is how well different parts of an artwork build on each other.

what is scale?

is the dimensional element defined by other elements of design size relative to art, its surroundings, or in relation to humans. Scale is the size of an element as it relates to its usual physical size.

What is variety?

is the quality or state of having different forms or types, notable use of contrast, emphasis, difference in size and color

What is Juxtaposition?

means placing things side-by-side. In art this usually is done with the intention of bringing out a specific quality or creating an effect, particularly when two contrasting or opposing elements are used. The viewer's attention is drawn to the similarities or differences between the elements.

what are 5 words to describe tone?

neutral, contrasting, high key, low key, dramatic

what are 5 words to describe shape/form?

organic, abstract, realistic, geometric, non- representational

what is 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. Sometimes space isn't actually within a piece, but the illusion of it is.

what is repetition?

refers to one object or shape repeated; pattern is a combination of elements or shapes repeated in a recurring and regular arrangement; rhythm--is a combination of elements repeated, but with variations.

what are 7 words to describe movement?

repetitive, organic, suggested, dramatic, simulated, directional, rhythmic

what are 5 words to describe texture?

rough, dramatic, sublet, sharp, glazed

what are 5 words to describe sound?

soft, textual, industrial, contrasting, classic