The Elements of Art and Principles of Design
 Link to Powerpoint:  www.graves.k12.ky.us/powerpoints/elementary/winmkelley.ppt  
By John W. Healy

Elements of Art
The elements of art are the building blocks of an artistic creation, a "visual language" or "visual alphabet" used by the artist.

1. Line – a continuous mark made on a surface
2. Shape – two-dimensional (circle, square, rectangle, triangle) and encloses space
3. Form – three-dimensional and encloses and takes up space
4. Color – that which is perceived when light hits and reflects off an object. Three properties of color are Hue (name of a color), Intensity (strength of a color) and Value (lightness or darkness of a color)
5. Texture – the surface quality or feel of an object
6. Space – the illusion of space is created through light and shadow

Principles of Design
The ways in which the Elements of Art are organized are referred to as the Principles of Design.

1. Rhythm and Movement – the visual flow through a work of art, incorporating repetition
2. Balance – symmetry and asymmetry
3. Proportion – large next to small
4. Variety – the use of different or contrasting elements to add interest
5. Emphasis – used to make something stand out, like dark next to light
6. Unity – how all the aspects of a work of art work together

See John W. Healy's "Art Curriculum that Works" column to discover which Elements of Art and Principles of Design are utilized in this month's art lesson for the classroom.

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Dr. John W. Healy teaches art at Woodland Middle School, East Meadow, NY.

A Second look:

Internet Link:  http://members.cox.net/mrsparker2/intro.htm
 

The Elements of Art

There are typically six elements of art that can be found in most art works. Artists use these elements as a "visual alphabet" to produce all kinds of art forms. The way in which elements are organized is referred to as the Principles of Design.

Line is the most basic element of art; a continuous mark made on a surface can vary in appearance (length, width, texture, direction, curve). Five varieties of lines: vertical, horizontal. diagonal, curved, zigzag

Color is produced when light strikes an object and reflects back in your eyes. This element of art has three properties:

• Hue -the name of a color (ex. - red, yellow. blue)

• Intensity -the purity and strength of a color (ex- bright red or dull red)

• Value -the lightness or darkness of a color

Shape is two - dimensional (circle, square, triangle, rectangle) and encloses space - geometric, man-made or free form.

Form is three-dimensional and encloses space and takes up space    -geometric, man-made or free form.

Space is defined and determined by shapes and forms. Positive space is where shapes and forms exist; negative space is the empty space around shapes and forms.

Texture refers to the surface quality or "feel" of an object - smooth, rough, soft, etc. Textures may be actual (felt with touch - tactile) or implied (suggested by the way an artist has created the work of art -visual).

 

Week 2:  Impossible Figures using Line

http://www.fink.com/papers/impossible.html

 

 

 

 

Week 3:  Straight Lines that Curve

http://www.mmwindowtoart.com/drawing/para1.html

 

Week 4 and 5:

Shape: is two - dimensional (circle, square, triangle, rectangle) and encloses space - geometric, man-made or free form.  If you are not happy with your freehand figure, you can search magazines for pictures of athletes to use as the focal point of your collage.  You can also use internet pictures printed in grayscale with the silhouette cut out for your pattern.  This is a two-week project.  The first week will be spent creating the background with shapes.  The second week will be spent placing the silhouettes on the top layer.

Use a combination of shapes  to create your own sports collage similar to these examples: