Project: Find 3 examples of the Elements of Art
ELEMENTS OF Art & Design Project
Carrie Avery
Point
A
point is an element that has position, but no extension. It is a single mark in
space with a precise, but limited, location. Alone it can provide a powerful
relation between negative and positive space, but when
grouped
with other points the Gestalt grouping principle of closure tends to kick in
and the brain compulsively connects the points together. Line or form is a
natural result of multiple points in space.
Line
A
line is an element characterized by length and direction. Lines create contours
and form, and are often used to convey a specific kind of feeling or point to
an important feature in a design. Lines are also used to create perspective,
and dominant directional lines are often adopted to create a sense of
continuance in a composition. In addition, lines that are grouped together
often create a sense of value, density or texture. The direction and orientation of a line can
also imply certain feelings. Horizontal
lines imply tranquility and rest, whereas vertical lines imply power and
strength. Oblique lines imply movement, action and change. Curved lines or S
shaped lines imply quiet, calm and sensual feelings. Lines that converge imply
depth, scale and distance.
Shape/Form
The
simplest definition of shape is a closed contour or a closed group of line
segments; a shape is defined by its perimeter. The three basic shapes are:
circle, rectangle (square) and triangle. Form is the shape and structure of a
dimensional element within a given composition.
Form refers to the three-dimensional quality of an object, which is due
in part to light, and dark areas. When light from a single direction (e.g. our
sun) hits an object, part of the object is in shadow. Light and dark areas
within an image provide contrast that can suggest volume. Factors that can affect our feelings towards
an image include the direction of the light source, from above or below, and
the gentleness or abruptness of the half tones.
Texture
Texture is used to create surface appearance, and relates to the physical make-up
of a given form. Texture can be created by varying the size and juxtaposition
of points, lines, shapes, and color. Texture is both a visual and a tactile
phenomenon.
Space
Space is the area between and around objects. The space around objects is
often called negative space; negative space has shape. Space can also refer to
the feeling of depth. Real space is three-dimensional; when we are able to two-dimensionally
create a visual space that has the feeling or illusion of depth we refer to it
as perspective.
Color
Color is the response of the eye to differing wavelengths of radiation within
the visible spectrum. The visible spectrum is what we perceive as light—the
part of the electromagnetic spectrum that we can see. Color can be used to set the emotional tone
of the work, direct the viewers gaze, encourage associations, and create
spacial definition. There are three main
components of color:
Hue:
Where the color is positioned on the color wheel. Terms such as red,
blue-green, and mauve all define the hue of a given color.
Value:
The general lightness or darkness of a color. In general, how close to black or
white a given color is.
Saturation: The intensity, or level of chroma, of a color. The more gray a color
has in it, the less chroma it has.
Color Harmonies serve to describe the relationships certain colors have to one
another, and how they can be combined to create a palette of color.
Complementary: a complementary relationship is a harmony of two colors on the
opposite side of the color wheel. When complementary colors are placed
side-by-side they tend to enhance the intensity (chroma) of each other, and
when they are blended together they tend to decrease the intensity of each
other.
Analogous: an analogous relationship is a harmony of colors whose hues are
adjacent to one another on the color wheel. Analogous colors tend to be
families of colors such as blues (blue, blue-violet, bluegreen) and yellows
(yellow, yellow-orange, yellow-green).
Triadic:
a triadic relationship is a harmony of three colors equidistant from one
another on the color wheel. Primary colors and secondary colors are examples of
color triads.
PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN
Balance
Balance is the overall visual weight of a composition. Without it, the
composition looks awkward and unstable. When objects in an illustration are the
same or similar on both sides of the composition, it has formal balance. Informal
balance is the arrangement of divergent forms.
There are three different types of balance: symmetrical, asymmetrical and
radial. When an object or image has symmetrical balance, aspects of the design,
and visual weight, are equally distributed on the right and left sides of a
central axis. When an object or image is asymmetrically balanced, aspects of
the design are not distributed equally on each side but their total weight is
balanced. Radial balance originates from the center, like a daisy. While all of
the visual components may not be exactly the same, but they all extend from one
point in the center,
radiating
outward, and maintain a visually stable center.
The Building-Blocks of Design
Contrast
Contrast is an abrupt, unexpected change in a visual element. Artists can
create contrast through value, color, texture, and shape. Color contrast can be achieved through hue,
saturation, and value. Complementary
colors (red/green, yellow/purple, blue/orange) seem to vibrate when they are
placed together in a composition. By juxtaposing value (light/dark) an artist
can create a sense of depth. By varying
the thickness and thinness of lines or combining horizontal
and
vertical lines an artist creates contrast. Contrast can also be created through
shape—curved shapes are calming and jagged shapes create edginess—and through
texture—the juxtaposition of smooth visual textures against rough visual
textures.
Emphasis
As
a composition develops an artist may decide to stress certain elements of the
design over others to create a focal point. 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. An artist uses emphasis to direct and focus attention of the
viewer on the most important parts of
a
composition. An artist creates emphasis
through size, contrast, color, texture, and shape. A design lacking emphasis
will be monotonous and uninspired. One
of the techniques for developing emphasis is through the Gestalt Principle of
Similarity/Difference. By grouping together similar aspects of the design, one
can easily emphasize a design element that is different.
Harmony and Variety
Harmony
and variety are closely related because both involve combining the elements of
art (color, line, shape, texture, and value) to create interest and guide the
eye through the composition. Both harmony and variety convey meaning through
repetition, proximity, and simplicity. It is the degree to which each is used
that create the contrast between the two. Harmony is a way of combining
elements of art to accent their similarities and bind the picture parts into a
whole.
Harmony
is subtle. Variety gives a composition interest and vitality by abruptly
changing an element.
Movement
Movement
in a composition guides a viewer’s eye through the work, usually to a focal
point. An artist arranges parts of an image to create a sense of motion by
using lines, shapes, forms, and textures, or by combining elements of art to
produce the look of action. For example, by incorporating diagonals lines, a
sense of movement is created. Consider a
staircase. The diagonal line in a in a staircase cause the eye to move upwards.
Through shape, by scaling the size of shapes, an
artist
creates movement artwork.
Rhythm
Rhythm
is the regular repetition of elements of art to produce the look and feel of
movement. An artist creates movement in illustration by repeating colors,
shapes, lines, or textures. The repetition of the elements invites the eye to
jump rapidly or glide smoothly from one image to the next. Rhythm allows
artists to create a feeling of organized movement. Elements placed at regular
intervals create a calming rhythm. Sudden changes in position and size create a
lively rhythm.
Variety
keeps rhythm exciting and active, moving the eye around the artwork.
Unity
Unity
is the quality of completeness a composition has. In a unified work of art, all
the parts come together to form a whole; one part of a composition feels like
it belongs with the rest. Like taking a brick from a wall, a piece needs all
the components or it might fall apart. An artist achieves unity by balancing
all the aspects of the composition. One way to achieve unity is repetition
through color, shape, and texture. By grouping objects closely together, you
create proximity , which unifies a composition. Variety, contrast, and harmony
also work together to give unity.
.jpg)
.jpg)
