ELEMENTS

OF ART
 Elements of Art
Elements are the necessary preconditions for
the creation of art.
To enumerate, the elements of art and design
are the following: line, shape and form,
space, color and texture.
 Elements of Art
1.Line
A line refers to a point moving at an identifiable
path – it has length and direction. It also has
width. It is one-dimensional, however, it has
the capacity to either define the perimeters of
the artwork (edges) and/or become a
substantial component of the composition.
 Elements of Art: Line
Although a line is “simple,” it has variations in
view of its orientation/direction, shape and
thickness. These variations import not only
the visual elements into the artwork, but
suggest meaning or message being conveyed
by the artist.
 Elements of Art: Line
A quality that is ascribed to lines is its ability to direct the
eyes to follow movement or provide hints as to a work’s
focal point. The orientation in which we are most
accustomed to such as the assertive force of gravity
grounding objects, or the sideways or up-and-down
vibration that informs us of an earthquake, the gustiness of
the wind from the window, or the direction of the rainfall
conjures different images of lines.
 Elements of Art: Line
a) Horizontal and Vertical lines – refers to the orientation of
the line.
Horizontal lines are normally associated with rest or calm.
Landscapes contain these elements as works like these often
connote a visual sense of being parallel to the ground. It also
alludes to position of the reclined body at rest. Vertical lines
connote elevation or height, which is usually taken to mean
exaltation or aspiration for action. Together, these lines
communicate stability and firmness.
 Elements of Art: Line
b.) Diagonal and crooked lines – diagonal lines
convey movement and instability, although
the progression can be seen. Crooked or
jagged lines, on the other hand, are
reminiscent of violence, conflict or struggle.
 Elements of Art: Line
c.) Curved lines – these are lines that
bend or coil. They allude to softness,
grace, flexibility or even sensuality.
 Elements of Art: Line
One of the most important Spanish artists is Francisco de Goya.
Known for his prints, he is a master of etched works
and use of aquatint. He made use of this medium to
articulate his political views about the ills of the
society, war scenes, and even the dreamlike and
grotesque while still engaging with what was
happening around him. As with most etchings and other
types of prints, lines are dominant visual components.
ETCHING
Etching is the process of using strong acid
to cut into the unprotected part of a
metal surface to create a design in
intaglio (created by cutting, carving or
engraving into a flat surface) in the
metal. The acid “bites” into the metal,
where it is exposed, leaving behind
lines sunk into the plate
AQUATINT
Aquatint is a printmaking technique that
produces tonal effects by using acid to
eat into the printing plate creating
sunken areas which hold the ink. The
process is called aquatint because
finished prints often resemble
watercolor drawings or wash drawings.
Francisco de
Goya
“Porque
esconderlos?”
(Why Hide
Them?)
 Elements of Art: Line
Lines may not necessarily be explicit or literally shown.
As what many examples will portray, implied lines may
just be as powerful, if not more. In “The Raft of Medusa,”
the position and orientation of the bodies that are aboard
the raft are predominantly diagonal in direction. This
creates not only movement but also tension in the scene.
Based on an actual event, the painting depicts the 1816
wreckage of the French government ship called Medusa.
 Elements of Art: Shape and Form
2-3. Shape and Form
These two are related to each other in the sense that they define
the space occupied by the object of art. Shape refers to two
dimensions: height and width, while form refers to three
dimensions: height, width and depth. Even if shapes are part
of a bigger picture, each can be identified by breaking the
visual components apart and making distinctions based on
what we know and what we have seen.
 Elements of Art: Shape and Form
Two categories can be used as a broad distinction:
a) Geometric – these shapes find origin in
mathematical propositions. As such, its translation
and use are often man-made. These include shapes
such as squares, triangles, cubes, circles, spheres,
and cones, among others.
 Elements of Art: Shape and Form
b) Organic – organic
shapes are those
readily occurring in
nature, often
irregular and
asymmetrical.
 Elements of Art: Shape and Form
Shapes may also be implied. For instance, Raphael’s
famous painting “The Madonna of the Meadows”
depicts three figures: Mary, the young Jesus (right),
and the young John the Baptist (left). The positions
in which the group takes allude to a triangular
shape reinforced by the garb of Mary.
 Elements of Art: Space
4.) Space
Related to shape and form is space. It is usually inferred from a
sense of depth, whether it is real or simulated. Real space is
three-dimensional. Like what has been previously
mentioned, sculptures are perfect example of artworks that
bear this element. However, this can only be manifested in
two-dimensional artworks through the use of different
techniques, or the use (or non-use) of area around a drawing
or picture.
 Elements of Art: Space
Not all works are sculptures. In two-dimensional artworks,
they may be implied.
a) Positive and negative space – usually
identified with the white space is the negative
space. The positive space, on the other hand,
is the space where shadow is heavily used.
 Elements of Art: Space
b)Three-dimensional space – can be simulated
through a variety of techniques such as
shading. An illusion of three-dimensionality
can be achieved in a two-dimensional work.
 Elements of Art: Color
5. Color is perhaps one of the elements that
enhances the appeal of an artwork. Its effect
has range, allowing the viewer to make
responses based on memory, emotion, and
instinct, among others.
 Elements of Art: Color
This element is a property of light, as it is reflected off
the object. Color is not intrinsic to an object and
without light, one cannot perceive color. Much of
what we know about colors begin with the notion of
Color Theory that was first unraveled by the
experiments undertaken by Sir Isaac Newton in 1666.
A ray of sunlight passing through a prism reveals an
array of colors akin to that of a rainbow.
 Elements of Art: Color
An upshot of this color theory is the
creation of a color wheel.
The color wheel corresponds to the first
property of color, hue.
 Elements of Art: Color
a)Hue – this dimension of color gives its name.
It can be subdivided into:
• Primary colors – red, yellow and blue
• Secondary colors – green, orange and violet
• Tertiary colors – six in total, these hues are
achieved when primary and secondary colors
are mixed.
 Elements of Art: Color
b)Value – this refers to the brightness or
darkness of color. Often, this is used by
artists to create the illusion of depth and
solidity, a particular mood, communicate a
feeling, or in establishing a scene (e.g. day
and night).
 Elements of Art: Color
Value:
Light colors – taken as the source of light
in the composition
Dark colors – the lack or even absence of
light
 Elements of Art: Color
However, we can identify the color even when a
range is presented to us. Expectations are also
established based on the notion that yellow is
within the light value; whereas, violet is in the
dark. Each primary color has a range of values
based on the addition and diminishing quantity
and quality of light.
 Elements of Art: Color
• Tint – this is a lighter color than the
normal value (e.g. pink for red)
• Shade – this is a darker color than the
normal value (e.g. maroon for red)
 Elements of Art: Color
c.) Intensity – this is the color’s brightness or dullness.
It is identified as the strength of color, whether it is
vivid or muted. To achieve a specific intensity of color,
one may add either gray or its complementary color.
• Bright or warm colors – positive energy
• Dull or cool colors – sedate/soothing, seriousness or
calm
 Elements of Art: Color
To better understand intensity of color, color
harmonies are to be considered. In interior
design, we often hear designers refer to color
schemes – a guide for selecting not only a wall
paint but also furniture and décor. However, color
harmonies are also integral considerations not only
for pictorial arts but also for other art forms.
 Elements of Art: Color
• Monochromatic harmonies – use the
variations of a hue. An example is Claude
Monet’s “Houses of Parliament”
• Complementary Harmonies – involve two
colors opposite each other in the color wheel.
Since they are at contrary positions, the
reaction is most intense.
 Elements of Art: Color
• Analogous Harmonies – make use of two colors
beside each other in the color wheel
Other harmonies have emerged such as triadic
harmonies, which make use of three colors from
equidistant sites within the color wheel. This,
however, does not mean that artists will limit
themselves to these kinds of harmonies. These are but
jump-off points that artists and other creatives use.
 Elements of Art: Texture
Like space, texture can be either real or
implied. This element in an artwork is
experienced through the sense of touch (and
sight). This element renders the art object
tactile.
Often, texture is commonly associated with
textiles.
 Elements of Art: Texture
a) Textures in two-dimensional plane – texture can be implied
using one technique or a combination of other elements of art.
By creating this visual quality in the artwork, one can imagine
how the surface will feel if it was to be touched. Some of the
words used to describe texture are the following: rough or
smooth, hard or soft, hairy, leathery, sharp or dull, etc. To be
able to simulate the texture of a surface in a flat, two-
dimensional plan is one important skill that an artist must be
familiar with, especially if his idea or concept necessitates it.
 Elements of Art: Texture
b) Surface texture – refers to the
texture or the three-dimensional art
object.
 Elements of Art: Texture
The elements of art make it possible to engage with the visual
and tactile qualities of the artwork through a “common
language” that may be widely understood. Through these
elements, there is something from which the idea, concept,
message and intended mood of the artist may be inferred.
It offers a starting point or a baseline from which analysis
may take place. This kind of analysis is called formal
analysis of art.
 Elements of Art: Auditory
Music, much like the visual arts, has its own building blocks or
elements.
Music is sound organized in a specific time. It is considered an
implement to cultural activities, answering a specific role or
function.
During the times when man had to hunt for food, music was
used as a corral to herd animals, or as an element of specific
rituals or rites.
If there is an important quality that music has, it is
having the capacity to transcend barriers, even
that of differences in language or conventions in
sound. Different demographics, groups and
individuals may have specific preferences as to the
genre of music. However, in order to establish this
preference, listeners often take to its elements for
evaluation. Some of the common elements of
music are the following: rhythm, dynamics,
melody, harmony, timbre, and texture.
1. Rhythm
Often associated to the terms beat,
meter, tempo, rhythm is the
element of music that situates it in
time. It is the pulse of the music.
Beat is the basic unit of music while
tempo refers to its speed
(beats/second). Beats can be
organized into a recognizable
recurrent pattern, which is called the
meter.
Classical terms are used to refer to the
variations in tempo, some of which
are:
Largo – slowly and broadly
Andante – walking pace
Moderato – at moderate speed
Allegro –fast
Vivace – lively
Accelerando – gradually speeding up
Rallentado - gradually slowing down
Allargando – getting slower, broadening
Rubato – literally “robbed time,” rhythm is
played freely for expressive effect
2. Dynamics
The element of music that refers to the
loudness or quietness of music is dynamics.
Classical terms are used to refer to the
different levels pertaining to this:
Pianissimo [pp] – very quiet
Piano [p] – quiet
Mezzo-piano [mp] = moderately quiet
Mezzo-forte [mf]- moderately loud
Forte [f]- loud
Fortissimo [ff] – very loud
When composers indicate an increase or
decrease in loudness, they use the terms
crescendo for the former and decrescendo
or diminuendo for the latter.
3. Melody
Melody refers to the linear presentation
(horizontal) of pitch. By horizontal, it means
that in musical notation, it is read in
succession from left to right. Pitch is the
highness or lowness of musical sound
4. Harmony
If melody is horizontal, harmony is vertical.
It arises when pitches are combined to form
chords. When several notes are
simultaneously played, this refers to a chord.
Harmony can be described in terms of its
“harshness:” dissonance is the harsh-
sounding combination while consonance is
the smooth sounding combination
5. Timbre
Timbre is often likened to the color of music.
It is a quality that distinguishes a voice or an
instrument from another. Dependent on the
technique, the timbre may give a certain tone
or characteristic to music, much like how a
painter evokes different effects or
impressions onto the canvas.
6. Texture
The number of melodies, the type of layers
and their relatedness in a composition is the
texture of music. It may be
Monophonic – single melodic line
Polyphonic – two or more melodic lines
Homophonic – main melody accompanied
by chords
Most often, elements do not only
coexist in the artwork, but are
fused together or overlap with each
other. In visual arts, most artworks
have overlapping elements.