Elements of Art and Principles of Design

Lines- are marks made by a pointed tool: brush, pencil, pen, etc. Lines can vary in width, direction, curvature, length, or color.

I chose this painting because the lines are very distinct in the totem poles.

I chose this photo because you can see the lines of the rails go into the horizon.

Shapes- 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.

 

i chose this painting because of all the different shapes that make up the photo to show the image 

I chose this photo because you can see all the different shapes in the window (diamonds, rectangles,squares, ext.)

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.

 

I chose this painting because of the complementery colors it uses to really pop and catch your eye.

 

 

I chose this photo because of all the colorful lights that show.

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.

 I chose this painting because the tone went from black to white, and used different tones of gray.

 

I chose this photo because it shows tone in the more lit areas to darker areas in the city at night.

Form- describes objects that are three-dimensional, having length, width, and height. 

 

I chose this painting because it shows the three dimensional art in the photo creating and illusion.

 

I chose this photo because it shows 3 dimension, length, and width.

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.

 

I chose this painting because you can see the texture of the grass and the wind blowing through it, the clouds you can see that they weren't really strong, and the stuff on the wagon was prickly.

 I chose this photo because you can see the texture of the wood and moss clearly.

  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.

  

I chose this painting because you can see their isn't much space between the people in the photo.

 I chose this photo because you can see the space between the landlines.

 Balance- is 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.

I chose this painting because the cans of soup are symmetrical.

i chose this photo because the tree is asymmetrical whats on one side isn't on the other but its balanced.

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.

  

I chose this painting because the colors of the flowers contrast with the black and white image.

     I chose this photo because the green apple contrast with the red apples.

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.

 

I chose this painting because the police officer and the little boy are the emphasis of the photo.

 I chose this photo because the bride is the center of the photo and then you notice the bridesmaids, the trees in the background, and that they are standing in the road.

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.

 

 I chose this painting as an example of movement because the artist created the visual effect that you can see that the waves are moving and are just about to crash into the water again.

I chose this photo because you can see the movement of the dancers skirts as they twirl.

Patterns- 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.

   

I chose this painting as an example of pattern because the different faces and heads repeat themselves.

I chose this photo as an example of patterns because the flowers or fruit are repeating themselves creating a pattern.

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.

I chose this painting because the rhythm of the flow of the flower is recurring.

I chose this photo because theirs a rhythm in the repetition of seats.

Unity- means that 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.

I chose this paintinng of an example of unity because the way it was painted in diagonal lines and put the photo all together.

I chose this photo as an example of unity because of the wavy lines in the waves.