Elements of Composition
Formal Analysis: Elements of Art
Line is a mark with greater length than width. Lines can be horizontal, vertical,
or diagonal, straight or curved, thick or thin.
Shape is a closed line. Shapes can be geometric, like squares and circles;
or organic, like free-form or natural shapes. Shapes are flat and can express length
and width.
Forms are three-dimensional shapes, expressing length, width, and depth. Balls,
cylinders, boxes, and pyramids are forms.
Space is the area between and around objects. The space around objects s often
called negative space; negative space has shape. Space can also refer to the feeling o
depth. Real space is three-dimensional; in visual art, when we can create the feeling
or illusion of depth, we call it space.
Color is light reflected off objects. Color has three main characteristics: hue or its
name (red, green, blue, etc.); value (how light or dark it is); and intensity (how bright
or dull it is). White is pure light and black is absence of light. Primary colors are the
only true colors (red, blue, and yellow). All other colors are mixes of primary colors.
Texture is the surface quality that can be seen and felt. Textures can be rough or
smooth, soft or hard. Textures do not always feel the way they look; for example, a
drawing of a porcupine may look prickly, but if you touch the drawing, the paper is
still smooth.
Important addendum: Value Sometimes combined with color, value describes the
lightness (tint) or darkness (shade) of a color.
Value is often the single most important element in paintings and drawings and allows
perception of forms. In other words, it is value and the changing values in pictures that
cause the perception of not just shapes, but implied three-dimensional forms.
Photographers talk about value in terms of LIGHTING, and where the light is coming fr
it iIs natural, artificial, high of low in contrast).
Formal Analysis: Principles of Art
Balance is the distribution of the visual weight of objects, colors, texture, and space. If the
design was a scale, these elements should be balanced to make a
design feel stable. (Types of balance : Symmetrical and Asymmetrical)
Emphasis is the part of the design that catches the viewers attention. Usually the artist
will make one area stand out by contrasting it with other areas. The area will be different
in size, color, texture, shape, etc. (Dominance is the importance of the emphasis of one
aspect in relation to all other aspects of a design. Subordination is making an element
appear to hold secondary or lesser importance within a design or work of art.)
Movement is the path the viewers eye takes through the artwork, often to focal areas.
Such movement can be directed along lines, edges, shape, and color within the artwork.
Pattern is the repeating of an object, symbol, or shape all over the artwork.
Repetition works with pattern to make the artwork seem active. The repetition of elements
of design creates unity within the artwork.
Proportion is the feeling of unity created when all parts (sizes, amounts, or
number) relate harmoniously to each other. When drawing the human figure,
proportion can refer to the size of the head compared to the rest of the body.
Rhythm is created when one or more elements of design are used repeatedly to
create a feeling of organized movement. Variety is essential to keep rhythm
exciting and active and to move the viewer around the artwork. Rhythm creates
a mood like music or dancing.
Variety is the use of several elements of design to hold the viewers attention and
to guide the viewers eye through the artwork.
Unity is the feeling of harmony between all parts of the artwork, creating a sense
of completeness.
Line is a mark with greater length than width. Lines can be horizontal, vertical,
or diagonal, straight or curved, thick or thin.
Shape is a closed line. Shapes can be geometric, like squares and circles;
or organic, like free-form or natural shapes. Shapes are flat and can express length
and width.
Forms are three-dimensional shapes, expressing length, width, and depth. Balls,
cylinders, boxes, and pyramids are forms.
Space is the area between and around objects. The space around objects s often
called negative space; negative space has shape. Space can also refer to the feeling o
depth. Real space is three-dimensional; in visual art, when we can create the feeling
or illusion of depth, we call it space.
Color is light reflected off objects. Color has three main characteristics: hue or its
name (red, green, blue, etc.); value (how light or dark it is); and intensity (how bright
or dull it is). White is pure light and black is absence of light. Primary colors are the
only true colors (red, blue, and yellow). All other colors are mixes of primary colors.
Texture is the surface quality that can be seen and felt. Textures can be rough or
smooth, soft or hard. Textures do not always feel the way they look; for example, a
drawing of a porcupine may look prickly, but if you touch the drawing, the paper is
still smooth.
Important addendum: Value Sometimes combined with color, value describes the
lightness (tint) or darkness (shade) of a color.
Value is often the single most important element in paintings and drawings and allows
perception of forms. In other words, it is value and the changing values in pictures that
cause the perception of not just shapes, but implied three-dimensional forms.
Photographers talk about value in terms of LIGHTING, and where the light is coming fr
it iIs natural, artificial, high of low in contrast).
Formal Analysis: Principles of Art
Balance is the distribution of the visual weight of objects, colors, texture, and space. If the
design was a scale, these elements should be balanced to make a
design feel stable. (Types of balance : Symmetrical and Asymmetrical)
Emphasis is the part of the design that catches the viewers attention. Usually the artist
will make one area stand out by contrasting it with other areas. The area will be different
in size, color, texture, shape, etc. (Dominance is the importance of the emphasis of one
aspect in relation to all other aspects of a design. Subordination is making an element
appear to hold secondary or lesser importance within a design or work of art.)
Movement is the path the viewers eye takes through the artwork, often to focal areas.
Such movement can be directed along lines, edges, shape, and color within the artwork.
Pattern is the repeating of an object, symbol, or shape all over the artwork.
Repetition works with pattern to make the artwork seem active. The repetition of elements
of design creates unity within the artwork.
Proportion is the feeling of unity created when all parts (sizes, amounts, or
number) relate harmoniously to each other. When drawing the human figure,
proportion can refer to the size of the head compared to the rest of the body.
Rhythm is created when one or more elements of design are used repeatedly to
create a feeling of organized movement. Variety is essential to keep rhythm
exciting and active and to move the viewer around the artwork. Rhythm creates
a mood like music or dancing.
Variety is the use of several elements of design to hold the viewers attention and
to guide the viewers eye through the artwork.
Unity is the feeling of harmony between all parts of the artwork, creating a sense
of completeness.