ART 100

Elements of Art
 Elements of Art: Line

A line is an identifiable path created by a point moving in space. It is one-dimensional and can
vary in width, direction, and length. Lines often define the edges of a form. Lines can be
horizontal, vertical, or diagonal, straight or curved, thick or thin. They lead your eye around the
composition and can communicate information through their character and direction.
 Types of Lines

• Horizontal lines suggest a feeling of rest or repose because objects parallel to the earth are at rest. They
also help give a sense of space. The lines delineate sections of the landscape (next slide), which recede
into space. They also imply continuation of the landscape beyond the picture plane to the left and right.
• Vertical lines often communicate a sense of height because they are perpendicular to the earth, extending
upwards toward the sky. In the church interior (next slide), vertical lines suggest spirituality, rising
beyond human reach toward the heavens.
• Diagonal lines convey a feeling of movement. Objects in a diagonal position are unstable. Because they
are neither vertical nor horizontal, they are either about to fall or are already in motion. The angles of the
ship and the rocks on the shore (next slide) convey a feeling of movement or speed in this stormy harbor
scene.
• The curve of a line can convey energy. Soft, shallow curves recall the curves of the human body and
often have a pleasing, sensual quality and a softening effect on the composition. The edge of the pool in
the photograph (next slide) gently leads the eye to the sculptures on the horizon.
Saint Bavo, Haarlem, A Calm at a Mediterranean Port,
Pieter Jansz. Saenredam, Claude-Joseph Vernet, 1770 –
1634 – vertical lines horizontal lines
A Calm at a Mediterranean A Storm on the Mediterranean Coast, Claude-
Port, Claude-Joseph Joseph Vernet, 1767 – diagonal lines
Vernet, 1770 – curved line
 Elements of Art: Shape and Form

Shape and form define objects in space. Shapes have two dimensions–height and width–and are
usually defined by lines. Forms exist in three dimensions, with height, width, and depth.
• Shape has only height and width. Shape is usually, though not always, defined by line, which can provide
its contour. In the image (next slide), rectangles and ovals dominate the composition. They describe the
architectural details for an illusionist ceiling fresco.
• Form has depth as well as width and height. Three-dimensional form is the basis of sculpture, furniture,
and decorative arts. Three-dimensional forms can be seen from more than one side, such as the sculpture
of a rearing horse (next slide).
 Rearing Horse, Adriaen de Vries,
Studies for a Ceiling
Decoration, Charles de la 1610-1615 - form
Fosse, about 1680 - shape
 Types of Shapes and Forms

• Geometric shapes and forms include mathematical, named shapes such as squares,
rectangles, circles, cubes, spheres, and cones. Geometric shapes and forms are often man-
made. However, many natural forms also have geometric shapes. The cabinet (next slide) is
decorated with designs of geometric shapes.
• Organic shapes and forms are typically irregular or asymmetrical. Organic shapes are often
found in nature, but man-made shapes can also imitate organic forms. The wreath (next slide)
uses organic forms to simulate leaves and berries.
Commode, Jean-François Gold Wreath, Greek, 300–100 B.C. – organic
Oeben, about 1760 – shapes and forms
geometric shapes and
forms
 Elements of Art: Space

Real space is three-dimensional. Space in a work of art refers to a feeling of depth or three
dimensions. It can also refer to the artist's use of the area within the picture plane. The area
around the primary objects in a work of art is known as negative space, while the space occupied
by the primary objects is known as positive space.
• Positive and negative space
The relationship of positive to negative space can greatly affect the impact of a work of art. In
the drawing (next slide), the man and his shadow occupy the positive space, while the white
space surrounding him is the negative space. The disproportionate amount of negative space
accentuates the figure's vulnerability and isolation.
He Can No Longer at the Age of 98,
Francisco José de Goya y Lucientes,
1819–1823 – positive and negative space
 Elements of Art: Space

• Three-dimensional space
The perfect illusion of three-dimensional space in a two-dimensional work of
art is something that many artists, such as Pieter Saenredam, labored to
achieve. The illusion of space is achieved through perspective drawing
techniques and shading. (Saint Bavo, Haarlem, Pieter Jansz. Saenredam, 1634, Slide #4)
 Elements of Art: Color

Light reflected off objects. Color has three main characteristics: hue (red, green, blue,
etc.), value (how light or dark it is), and intensity (how bright or dull it is). Colors can be
described as warm (red, yellow) or cool (blue, gray), depending on which end of the color
spectrum they fall.
• Value describes the brightness of color. Artists use color value to create different moods. Dark colors in a composition
suggest a lack of light, as in a night or interior scene. Dark colors can often convey a sense of mystery or foreboding.
• Intensity describes the purity or strength of a color. Bright colors are undiluted and are often associated with positive
energy and heightened emotions. Dull colors have been diluted by mixing with other colors and create a sedate or
serious mood.
 Christ Crowned with Thorns, Gerrit van
Honthorst, about 1620

The Annunciation, Dieric Bouts, 1450–1455

 Elements of Art: Texture

The surface quality of an object that we sense through touch. All objects have a physical
texture. Artists can also convey texture visually in two dimensions.

In a two-dimensional work of art, texture gives a visual sense of how an object depicted
would feel in real life if touched: hard, soft, rough, smooth, hairy, leathery, sharp, etc. In
three-dimensional works, artists use actual texture to add a tactile quality to the work.
Portrait of Agostino Pallavicini, Anthony van
Dyck, 1621–1623

Texture depicted in two-dimensions

Artists use color, line, and shading to imply textures. In this
painting, the man's robe is painted to simulate silk. The
ability to convincingly portray fabric of different types was
one of the marks of a great painter during the 17th century.
Surface texture
The surface of this writing desk is
metallic and hard. The hard surface is
functional for an object that would
have been used for writing. The
smooth surface of the writing desk
reflects light, adding sparkle to this
piece of furniture.

Desk, French, 1692–1700

 Elements of Art: Light

• A stronger contrast between light and dark can be used to make more
differentiation between “figure” and “ground.”
• The gradual shift from light to dark can create the illusion of volume.
• A stark contrast in light and dark is a technique called “chiaroscuro,” which
is Italian for (literally), “light-dark.”
Joseph Wright of Derby,
A Philosopher Lecturing on the Orrery, 1766
 Elements of Art: Time and Motion

• There are ways that artists represent time and motion; these modes of
expression create “implied time” and “implied motion.”
• This might be done with multiple images or frames (p. 59).
• This might be done with trying to portray a subject or figure in motion.
Marcel
Duchamp
(1912), Nude
Descending a
Staircase #2
 Elements of Art: Proportion and Scale

• Proportion is the comparative relationship of the parts to each other and to the whole
(Understanding Art, p. 63).
• For example, see Matisse’s “Large Reclining Nude” (1935) on next slide (and Understanding Art, p. 62).

• Scale is the relative size of an object compared with others of its kind or its
setting.
• For example, see “Clothespin” (1976) by Claes Oldenburg on a next slide (and Understanding Art, 64).
Henri Matisse
(1935), Large
Reclining Nude
“Clothespin” (1976) by
Claes Oldenburg
 Elements of Art: Content

There are three levels of content in a piece of art:

• The elements
• The subject matter
• Any underlying symbolic meaning
Let’s practice:
Describe the content
of this.

“Lightening” (1909)
by Mikalojus
Konstantinas
Čiurlionis
Let’s practice:
Describe the content
of this.

“Serenity” (1904) by
Mikalojus
Konstantinas
Čiurlionis
 Art Media
• Medium can refer to both to the type of art (e.g. painting, sculpture,
printmaking), as well as the materials an artwork is made from.
• For example, a sculpture in the medium of bronze or marble; a painting in the medium of oil paint on canvas,
or watercolour on paper; a drawing in the medium of pencil or crayon; a print in the medium
of etching or lithography.

• Modern artists have established that art can be made of absolutely any material, so the media of modern
art, in that sense, have ranged from found or appropriated objects and materials of all kinds, to the
artist’s own bodily excretions and the body itself. Many modern works are made from a variety of such
things and the term mixed media has had to be coined to take account of this.

https://www.tate.org.uk/art/art-terms/m/medium
 Homework
• Post your response on Elements of Art in the forum on Moodle
before class time on Tuesday – instructions on Moodle!
• Review Ch.2 of Understanding Art (Moodle) for more elements.

• REMEMBER: Moodboard Reflection Paper is due Friday,

Sept.16th, by midnight.