The Elements of Art
The links on this page will lead to projects based on the elements of art. They are placed here for creative students to follow and learn from. Teachers may also use them as instruction. These lessons were created with ClarisWorks draw and paint programs and will involve creating images on your own computer using a draw or paint program. The graphics can be copied, pasted, and saved using your browser so that you can refer to them online if you can run both programs at the same time, or offline at a later time.
THE ELEMENTS OF ART are the visual "tools" artists use to create art. The elements (categories) inlcude color, value, line, shape, form, texture, and space.
A line is defined as a mark with length and direction, created by
a point that moves across a surface. A line can vary in length,
width, direction, curvature, and color. Line can be two-dimensional
(a pencil line on paper), three-dimensional (wire), or implied.
A flat figure created when actual or implied lines meet to
surround a space. A change in color or shading can define a shape.
Shapes can be divided into several types: geometric (square,
triangle, circle) and organic (irregular in outline).
Any three-dimensional object. A form can be measured from top to
bottom (height), side to side (width), and front to back (depth).
Form is also a general term that means the structure or design of a
work.
The way a surface feels (actual texture) or how it may look
(implied texture). Texture can be sensed by touch and sight. Textures
are described by word such as rough, silky, or pebbly.
The perceived character of a surface according to the wavelength
of light reflected from it. Color has three dimensions: HUE
(indicated by its name such as red or yellow), VALUE (its lightness
or darkness), INTENSITY (its purity or saturation).
The empty or open area between, around, above, below, or within
objects. Space is an element of art. Shapes and forms are made by the
space around and within them. Space is often called three-dimensional
or two dimensional. Positive space is filled by a shape or form.
Negative space surrounds a shape or form.
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