1.

1 Art Concepts
Moreover, imagination is not restricted within the
According to Collins and Riley (as cited in Caslib, Garing & parameters of norms; it is limitless. Due to its nature,
Casaul, 2018), "art is a product of man’s creativity, people become curious, and "through imagination, people
imagination, and expression" (p.13). No wonder, art is can craft something bold, something new, and something
not simply an object or just a thing. In the words of Janson better in the hopes of creating something that will
and Janson (1992), art is also an object, but not just any stimulate change. Imagination allows endless
kind of object. Art is an aesthetic object. It is meant to be possibilities...In the same way, that imagination produces
looked at and appreciated for its intrinsic value. Its special art, art also inspires imagination. Imagine being in an
qualities set apart, so it is often placed away from empty room surrounded by blank, white walls, and floor.
everyday life, in museums, churches, or caves" (p.9). Would you be inspired to work in such a place? Often, you
will find coffee shops, restaurants, and libraries with
First, whenever you doubt yourself as an artist, always
paintings hung or sculptures and other pieces of art
remember what Rodin said: "Inside you, there is an
around the room to add beauty to the surroundings"
artist, he is not interested in how things look different in
moonlight."
1.1.3 Art as Expression
1.1.1 Creativity in Art Making
Are there instances when you felt lost? It's like there's
"Creativity requires thinking outside the box. It is often going on inside you that you needed to express it. You
used to solve problems that have never occurred before. even shouted; however, it was not enough. Suddenly, an
In art, creativity is what sets apart one artwork from idea popped up, and you realized that you needed to
another. We say something is done creatively when we create something as a way of expressing yourself.
have not yet seen anything like it or when it is out of the
ordinary. A creative artist does not simply copy or imitate In relation to expression, Collingwood, an English
another artist’s work. Nor does an artist simply copy the philosopher who is best known for his work in aesthetics,
lines, flaws, colors, and other details of another artist. An explicated in his publication The Principles of Art (1938)
artist embraces originality, puts his or her own flavor into that what an artist does to an emotion is not to induce it,
an artwork, and calls it his or her own creative piece" but express it. Through expression, a person is able to
(Caslib et al., 2018, p.15). explore own emotions and at the same time, create
something beautiful out of them. An explicit statement
Creativity seems like a challenge 'though! Perhaps, it isn't, like “I am angry” is not an expression but a mere
description. Description actually destroys the idea of
or just a bit! All you need is a pen, a paper, and a big push.
expression since it classifies emotion. In expressing their
In addition, remember what Pablo Picasso said: "Others
emotions, artists have the freedom to do it the way they
have seen what is and asked why. I have seen what deemed like it. Hence, there is no specific technique in
could be and asked why not." expression (Caslib, et al., 2018).

1.1.2 Art and Imagination Even though there is no specific technique in expression,
artists have created art in various forms, or media as
Art as a product of IMAGINATION, IMAGINATION means of expression. Art can be categorized or classified
as a Product of Art (Caslib et al., 2018) as visual arts, performing/combined arts, digital arts, and
applied arts. Visual arts include painting, sculpture, and
These ideas begin in the mind, and these ideas start with architecture while performing or combined arts are
imagination. Einstein, who had major contributions in music, dance, film, theater, literary, and performance
science and humanity, once said “Imagination is more poetry. Digital arts, on the other hand, are created and
important than knowledge. For knowledge is limited to presented using an electronic device. Applied arts refer to
all we now know and understand, while imagination fashion design, furniture design, graphic design, industrial
design, and interior design. [Note: The examples in each
embraces the entire world, and all there ever will be to
category may vary.]
know and understand.” His words simply demonstrated
that knowledge is actually derived from imagination.
As final thoughts, “art is a product of man’s creativity, and Aristotle spoke of mimesis as the re-presentation of
imagination, and expression. An artwork may be inspired nature. According to Plato, all artistic creation is a form of
by nature or other works of art, but artists invent their imitation: that which really exists (in the “world of ideas”)
own forms and patterns due to what they perceive as is a type created by God; the concrete things man
beautiful and incorporate them in creating his perceives in his existence are shadowy representations of
masterpiece” (Caslib, Garing, & Casaul, 2018, p.22). this ideal type. Therefore, the painter, the tragedian, and
the musician are imitators of an imitation, twice removed
1.2 Art: Assumptions, Philosophical Perspectives, from the truth. Aristotle, speaking of tragedy, stressed the
and Functions point that it was an “imitation of an action”—that of a
man falling from a higher to a lower estate. Shakespeare,
1.2.1 Assumptions of Art in Hamlet’s speech to the actors, referred to the purpose
of playing as being “…to hold, as ’twere, the mirror up to
Human history has witnessed how people physically and nature.” Thus, an artist, by skillfully selecting and
culturally evolved, from cave painters to people of presenting his material, may purposefully seek to
exquisite paintbrush users of the present. Even if human “imitate” the action of life.
beings go back to the time before written records of
(human) civilization has appeared, they can find cases of 2. Art as Representation
humans' attempts of not just crafting tools to live and
survive but also expressing their feelings and thoughts "For Aristotle, all kinds of art including poetry, music,
(Caslib et al., 2018). dance, painting, and sculpture, do not aim to represent
reality as it is. What art endeavors to do is to provide a
As students in this course, you should be aware of some vision of what might be or the myriad possibilities in
assumptions of art; however, there are only three reality...Aristotle conceived of art as representing possible
assumptions of art to focus on in this module. These versions of reality" (Caslib, et al, 2018, p. 32).
functions are the following:
3. Art as a Communication of Emotion
Art is universal.
Art is not nature. “ art is not nature because the man is According to Leo Tolstoy, author of War and Peace and
the one who makes art.
Ana Karenina, "art plays a huge role in communication to
Art involves experience.
its audience's emotions that the artist previously
Even though there are no explanations or even experienced. Art then serves as a language, a
descriptions of these functions of art, note the keyword in communication device that articulates feelings and
each assumption: universal, not nature, and experience. emotions that are otherwise unavailable to the audience.
What thoughts come into your mind when you hear these In the same way that language communicates information
keywords? If you're having difficulty, browse a dictionary
to other people, art communicates emotions" (Caslib et
because it's a tremendous help. After browsing a
al, 2018, p. 33). Engaging in various forms of art places the
dictionary, read the next two pages about the different
philosophical perspectives on art and the functions of art. audience or viewers at the receiving end of the artists
who communicate their feelings and emotions.
1.2.2 Philosophical Perspectives on Art
4. Art for Art's Sake
1. Art as an Imitation
is a slogan coined by Victor Cousin, a 19th-century French
According to Plato, "art is an imitation of the real that was philosopher; it's derived from l’art pour l’art. Art for art's
an imitation of the ideal. Art is an imitation of an sake "expresses the belief held by many writers and
imitation" artists, especially those associated with Aestheticism, that
art needs no justification, that it need serve no political,
Mimesis, basic theoretical principle in the creation of art. didactic, or other end" (Britannica, T. Editors of
The word is Greek and means “imitation” (though in the Encyclopedia, 2015).
sense of “re-presentation” rather than of “copying”). Plato
Art for art’s sake, a slogan translated from the French l’art Aesthetic
pour l’art, which was coined in the early 19th century by
the French philosopher Victor Cousin. The phrase "Art becomes influential for man to be aware of the
expresses the belief held by many writers and artists, beauty of nature. Aesthetic is when there is the real
especially those associated with Aestheticism, that art feelings of appreciation for nature's beauty and are
needs no justification, that it need serve no political, manifested through the appreciation and enjoyment
didactic, or other end. when in contact with the artwork"

1.2.3 Functions of Art 2.1 Elements of Art

According to Aristotle, each substance has its telos (a Visual Arts

Greek word for end), which translates into purpose. As
"Taking off from the scientific reference, elements of art
matter, substance moves in accordance with a set course
are akin to the atoms that are defined as the units or
towards its goal. For example, in the end, a seed becomes "building blocks" of matter...Elements are the necessary
a plant, or a cocoon turns into a butterfly… This telos is preconditions for the creation of art" (Caslib et al., 2018,
associated with function (Caslib et al., 2018). So what are p.79). In this module, the elements of visual art are line,
some functions of art? shape, form, space, color, texture, and perspectives. Click
the next pages to read about these elements.
Personal
2.1.1 Visual Art: Line, Shape, Form, and Space
It is varied and highly subjective. Its function depends on
the person – the artist who created the art. It may be in 1. Line
the following personal forms when artworks are for self-
expression, entertainment, catharsis (Caslib, et al.,2018).  This is regarded as the most basic visual element.
A majority of art is initially conceived in terms of
Social contour line (Janson & Janson, 1992). A line refers
to a point moving at an identifiable path-it has
Art is considered to have a social function if and when it length and direction. It also has width. It is one-
addresses a particular collective interest. Political art is a dimensional; however, it has the capacity to
very common example of art with social function. It can either define the perimeters of the artwork
also depict social conditions through photography (Caslib, (edges) and/or become a substantial component
et al.,2018). of the composition (Caslib et al., 2018).
 Some kinds of lines are curved, diagonal,
Physical horizontal, jagged, vertical, and zigzag. Referring
to the photograph below, what kinds of lines can
It is the easiest to spot and understand. It can be found on you identify? What image represents each line?
artworks that are crafted in order to serve some utilitarian
purposes (Caslib, et al.,2018).  Although a line is simple, it has variations in view
of its orientation/direction, shape, and thickness.
Historical And these variations of line suggest meaning or
message being conveyed by the artist (Caslib et
Art is a tool for depicting important events of the past for al., 2018).
the purpose of recognition and as a remembrance, o Horizontal – normally associated with rest
commemoration, and celebrations, immortalization and or calm
solemnification, and honor-giving (Coursehero.com, n.d.) o Vertical – connotes elevation or height,
which usually means exaltation or
Religious exaltation for action.
o Horizontal + Vertical = stability and
Artists may create, design, or make artworks to firmness
emphasize the spiritual support of cultures (Wilson,
Bongabong, Boongaling, Trinidad, & Ta-a, 2018)
 o Diagonal – convey movement and has a range of values based on the addition and
instability, although progression can also diminishing quantity and quality of light.
be seen  Tint – It is the lighter color than a normal value
o Crooked – reminiscent of violence, (e.g. pink for red).
conflict, or struggle  Shade – This is a darker color than the normal
o Curved – it bend or coil, and alludes to value (e.g. maroon for red).
softness, grace, flexibility, or even
sensuality Harmonies

 To understand intensity of colors, color

2. Shape harmonies are to be considered. Color harmonies
are integral considerations not only for pictorial
 It refers to two dimensions which are height and arts but also for art forms.
width.  Color harmonies are monochromatic,
 There are two major types of shapes: geometric complementary, analogous, split-complementary,
and organic. Geometric shapes find their origin in and triadic. Referring to the images below, can
mathematical propositions while organic shapes you identify these color harmonies?
are those readily occurring in nature, often
irregular and asymmetrical.
Meanings
3. Form
 Just like lines, color conveys message and
 It refers to three dimensions: height, width,
meaning too. Each color represents not only the
and depth.
refraction of a prism but a deeper one. Read the
 A common technique to achieve form is the
psychology behind each color below. And for
use of trompe l'oeil. more information on the psychological properties
of colors, click color theory
4. Space o BLACK is associated with death and
 It is related to shape and form. gloom.
 It is usually inferred from a sense of depth, o WHITE commonly stands for purity and
whether it is real or simulated. Real space is innocence.
three-dimensional. o BLUE is the color of heaven.
 A common technique applied by artists to achieve o RED is associated with blood; it signifies
space is overlapping anger, provokes fear, and impels people
to action.
o ORANGE suggests assertiveness or
2.1.2 Visual Art: Color, Texture, and Perspective
appetite.
o GREEN is normally the color of nature,
5. Color
and it promotes the feeling of well-being.
In addition, it implies abundance or
Properties
bounty
 Hue – This dimension of color gives its name. It Perspective
can be subdivided into primary, secondary, and  There are three types of perspective which are
tertiary colors (Refer to the color wheel.). grounded on the number of vanishing points used
 Intensity – This refers to the brightness or by the artist:
dullness of colors. It is identified as the strength o One-point perspective is often used in
of color depicting roads, tracks, hallways, or rows
 Value – It pertains to the lightness or darkness of of trees; this type of perspective shows
colors. Value is used by artists to create illusion of parallel lines that seem to converge at a
depth and solidity, a particular mood, to specific and lone vanishing point, along
communicate a feeling or in establishing a scene the horizon line.
(e.g. day and night). Moreover, each primary color o Two-point perspective makes use of two
vanishing points, which can be placed
 along the horizon line. It is often used in  This is often likened to the color of music. It is the
depicting structures such as houses or quality that distinguishes a voice or an instrument
buildings in the landscape that are viewed from another" (Caslib et al., 2018, p. 94).
from a specific corner.
o Three-point perspective allows a viewer
to look at a scene above or below. As the 2.2 Principles of Design
name suggests, it makes use of the three This section of the module focuses on several principles of
vanishing points, each corresponding to design. These principles (Caslib et al., 2018) are akin to
each axis of the scene. the rules of grammar and composition. Knowing these
principles of design can equip viewers the language which
2.1.3 Auditory Art: Rhythm to Timbre allows them to appreciate and understand artworks.
Moreover, having knowledge about these principles
lessen the intimidation which novice art viewers they feel
Auditory Art when dealing with art. Hence, novice viewers can
experience pleasure, joy, and engagement while looking
"Together with literature, music as an art form is
into and romanticizing artworks
classified as auditory art. However, some would argue
that it is under the broad category of performance art.
Either way, music, much like the visual arts, has its own 2.2.1 Balance to Proportion
building blocks or elements" (Caslib et al., 2018, p.93). In
the module, the following elements of auditory art, Apart from the elements of (visual) art, principles are also
especially music, are the following: rhythm, dynamics, employed by artists to create an artwork. so let us learn
melody, harmony, and timbre. more about these and hope you'll identify these principles
of art at the end of the lesson.
1. Rhythm
1. Balance - It refers to physical equilibrium; it is the
 It is the pulse of music. even distribution of weight on each side of a thing
 It is often associated with meter and tempo. (Menoy, 2014). Or this principle (Caslib et al.,
Meter, on one hand, or a time signature (e.g. 2018) refers to the distribution of the visual
3/4 ) is indicated at the beginning of a piece of elements in view of their placement in relation to
music; meter also shows the number of beats per each other. There are three forms of balance:
measure and the value of basic beat. On the other Asymmetrical – The elements are not the same (or of the
hand, tempo refers to fastness or slowness of same weight) on each side, putting the heaviness on one
music. In relation to tempo, some Italian terms side.
like adagio (a slow tempo), allegro ( a quick, fast,
or lively tempo), and accelerando (gradually Symmetrical –The elements used on one side are
speeding up) are used to describe it. reflected to the other. This offers the most stable visual
sense to any artwork.
2. Dynamics
 It refers to the loudness and softness of music. Radial – There is a central point in the composition,
Two common terms to illustrate dynamics are around which elements and objects are distributed.
piano (p), which means quiet, and forte (f), which
means loud.
3. Melody 2. Scale and Proportion
 It relates to pitch which refers to highness or Scale refers to the size in relation to what is normal for
lowness of a note or musical sound. the figure or object in question.
4. Harmony
 It arises when pitches are are combined to form  Proportion pertains to the size of components, or
chords which refers to the playing or hearing of of objects in relation to one another when taken
two or several notes simultaneously. as a composition or a unit. This can also refer to
5. Timbre the values such as amounts or number of
elements or objects in a composition. Proportion
can be natural, exaggerated, idealized.
 o Natural refers to the realistic size of visual
elements in the artwork.
o Exaggerated relates to the unusual size
relations of visual elements deliberately
exaggerating the largeness or smallness
of things.
o Idealized follows the canons of perfection
which aims to achieve the most ideal size-
relations.
2.2. 2 Emphasis to Pattern

3. Emphasis
It allows the attention of the viewer to a focal point,
accentuating or drawing the attention to these elements
or objects.

4. Contrast
It is the disparity between the elements that figure into
composition

5. Unity
Unless intended to be otherwise, composition are
intended to imbue a sense of accord or completeness
from the artwork.
6. Variety
It is the use of several elements of design to hold the
viewer’s attention and to guide the viewer’s eyes through
and around the work of art (Menoy, 2014).
7. Harmony
The elements or objects achieve a sense of flow and
interconnectedness.

8. Movement
It is the direction of the viewing eye as it goes through the
artwork
9. Rhythm
This is created when an element is repeated, creating
implied movement. Variety of repetition helps invigorate
rhythm as depicted in the artwork.
10. Repetition
Art elements such as colors, lines, shapes may appear in
an artwork in a recurring manner.
11. Pattern
It is the image formed because of repetition.