WHAT IS ART? Introduction

IS THIS?

WHAT ABOUT THIS?

OR THIS?

THIS?

THIS?

AND THIS?

WHAT IS DRAWING?

WHAT IS DRAWING?

WHAT IS DRAWING?

WHAT IS DRAWING?

WHAT IS DRAWING?

WHAT IS DRAWING?

WHAT IS DRAWING?

ELEMENTS OF ART Introduction

ESSENTIAL VOCABULARY Line ! Shape ! Form ! Space ! 

Texture ! Color ! Value ! 

LINE !  ! 

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Line is perhaps the most basic element of art and design. Line in art refers to a type of mark that contains both a direction and a length. Lines can be curved, bent, thick, thin, wide, broken, vertical, horizontal, sharp or freehand. Lines are frequently used to delineate shapes, forms, and spaces. The representation of volume, edges, movement and patterns can all be created using line. Lines create both 2D and 3D objects and figures.

LINE

LINE

LINE

LINE

SHAPE ! 

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Shape refers to an enclosed space, the boundaries of which are defined by other elements of art (lines, colors, values, textures, etc.) Shapes can be geometric (e.g.: square, circle, triangle, hexagon, etc.) or organic (such as the shape of a puddle, blob, leaf, boomerang, etc.) in nature

SHAPE

SHAPE

SHAPE

SHAPE

SHAPE

SHAPE

SHAPE

SHAPE

FORM !  ! 

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The three dimensional projection of a shape It has volume, dimension, appears to have mass. This element is frequently used in sculpture. It may also refer to the overall organization of the work of art, as a second meaning.

FORM

FORM

FORM

SPACE !  ! 

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Space is the area provided for a particular purpose. Space includes the background, foreground and middle ground. Space refers to the distances or areas around, between or within components of a piece. There are two types of space: positive and negative space. Positive space refers to the space of a shape representing the subject matter. Negative space refers to the space around and between the subject matter

SPACE

SPACE

SPACE

TEXTURE ! 

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Describes either the way a three-dimensional work actually feels when touched, or the visual "feel" of a two-dimensional work Examples: sharp, smooth, rough, soft, wet, cold, gummy, woven, brittle…

TEXTURE

TEXTURE

TEXTURE

TEXTURE

VALUE Value, or tone, refers to the use of light and dark, shade and highlight, in an artwork. !  Value is used to describe form and distance in 2D work. !  Value is very closely related to color. !  Value is a second step in considering color choices. !  Black-and-white photography depends entirely on value to define its subjects. ! 

VALUE

VALUE

VALUE

COLOR !  ! 

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Color pertains to the use of hue in artwork and design. Primary colors (red, yellow, blue) which cannot be mixed from other hues Secondary Colors (green, orange, purple) which are directly mixed from combinations of primary colors. Tertiary colors are made from combinations of primary and secondary colors. Tint and shade are references to adding variations in Value. Other tertiary colors are derrived from mixing a primary or secondary colore with a neutral color (Red+White=Pink)

COLOR

ELEMENTS OF COMPOSITION Composing 3D Forms in 2D Space

COMPOSITIONAL TECHNIQUES ! 

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There are numerous approaches or "compositional techniques" to achieving a sense of unity within an artwork, depending on the goals of the artist. For example, a work of art is said to be aesthetically pleasing to the eye if the elements within the work are arranged in a balanced compositional way. However, there are artists such as Salvador Dalí whose sole aim is to disrupt traditional composition and challenge the viewer to rethink balance and design elements within art works. Conventional composition can be achieved by utilizing a number of techniques…

RULE OF THIRDS ! 

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The rule of thirds is a guideline followed by some visual artists. The objective is to stop the subject(s) and areas of interest (such as the horizon) from bisecting the image, by placing them near one of the lines that would divide the image into three equal columns and rows, ideally near the intersection of those lines.

RULE OF THIRDS

RULE OF THIRDS The rule of thirds is thought to be a simplification of the golden mean. !  The golden mean is a ratio that has been used by visual artists for centuries as an aid to composition. !  When two things are in the proportion of 1:1.618 (approximately 3/8 to 5/8), they are said to be in the golden mean. ! 

RULE OF THIRDS

RULE OF THIRDS ! 

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Dividing the parts of an image according to this proportion helps to create a pleasing, balanced composition. The intersection points on a golden mean grid appear at 3/8 in and 3/8 down/up, rather than at 1/3 in and 1/3 down/up on the grid of thirds.

RULE OF THIRDS

RULE OF ODDS ! 

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The "rule of odds" states that by framing the object of interest in an artwork with an even number of surrounding objects, it becomes more comforting to the eye, thus creates a feeling of ease and pleasure. It is based on the assumption that humans tend to find visual images that reflect their own preferences/wishes in life more pleasing and attractive.

RULE OF ODDS

RULE OF ODDS The "rule of odds" suggests that an odd number of subjects in an image is more interesting than an even number. !  Thus if you have more than one subject in your picture, the suggestion is to choose an arrangement with at least three subjects. !  An even number of subjects produces symmetries in the image, which can appear less natural for a naturalistic, informal composition. ! 

RULE OF ODDS

SIMPLIFICATION ! 

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Images with clutter can distract from the main elements within the picture and make it difficult to identify the subject. By decreasing the extraneous content, the viewer is more likely to focus on the primary objects. Clutter can also be reduced through the use of lighting, as the brighter areas of the image tend to draw the eye, as do lines, squares and colour. In painting, the artist may use less detailed and defined brushwork towards the edges of the picture.

SIMPLIFICATION

SIMPLIFICATION

PRINCIPLES OF BALANCE Composing 3D Forms in 2D Space

BALANCE Balance is arranging elements so that no one part of a work overpowers, or seems heavier than any other part. !  Balance also works to create significant hierarchies of elements in the work to bring attention to the works’ focal point. !  The three different kinds of balance are symmetrical, asymmetrical, and radial. ! 

BALANCE

BALANCE

BALANCE

SYMMETRICAL BALANCE

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Symmetrical (or formal) balance is when both sides of an artwork, if split down the middle, appear to be the same.

SYMMETRICAL BALANCE

SYMMETRICAL BALANCE

SYMMETRICAL BALANCE

SYMMETRICAL BALANCE

SYMMETRICAL BALANCE

ASYMMETRICAL BALANCE

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Asymmetrical balance is the balance that does not weigh equally on both sides.

ASYMMETRICAL BALANCE

ASYMMETRICAL BALANCE

ASYMMETRICAL BALANCE

ASYMMETRICAL BALANCE

ASYMMETRICAL BALANCE

RADIAL SYMMETRY ! 

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Radial Symmetry Radial symmetry or balance is a type of balance in which the parts of an object or picture are regularly arranged and radiate from a central point. It appears both in natural and in human-made objects. Objects that have radial symmetry can be divided into equal pieces like a pie. Each equal piece of a pie is also a congruent shape. Congruent shapes are exactly the same in size and shape.

RADIAL SYMMETRY

RADIAL SYMMETRY

RADIAL SYMMETRY

RADIAL SYMMETRY

RADIAL SYMMETRY