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Elements & Principles of Design

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The ELEMENTS of art: line, shape, form, color, value, texture and space.

The PRINCIPLES of design: balance, movement, rhythm, contrast, emphasis, pattern and unity

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The ELEMENTS of art: line, shape, form, color, value, texture and space.

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1) Line

“a dot that moves” or “continuous mark”
Describes a shape or outline.
It can be: straight, curved, vertical, horizontal, jagged, or dotted

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The ELEMENTS of art: Line �…a dot that moves….defines space, contours and outlines, or suggests mass and volume. �Straight, curved, vertical, horizontal, jagged, dotted�

Vincent van Gogh Cottage Garden 1888�reed pen, quill, and ink over graphite on wove paper, 24 x 19-1/4 inches�Private Collection, Courtesy Metropolitan Museum of Art

Dominance Portfolio, Blue, Bridget Riley, 1977

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2) Shape…

An enclosed space defined by other art elements such as line, color and texture.
Shapes can be geometric or organic.

Geometric: Circles, squares, rectangles , triangles. Seen in architecture, manufactured items.
Organic: Leafs, seashells, flowers. Seen in nature; free flowing and irregular shapes.

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�The ELEMENTS of art: shape��An enclosed space defined by other art elements such as line, color and texture. ��May be geometric or organic�

Dogs, MC ESCHER, 1938

Cycle, MC ESCHER, 1938

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Is this artwork geometric or organic? How do you know?

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Positive and Negative Shapes

Positive Shapes are the solid forms in a design such as a bowl of fruit. In a sculpture it is the solid form of the sculpture.
Negative Shapes-In a drawing it is the space around the positive shape or the shape around the bowl of fruit. In sculpture it is the empty shape around and between the sculptures..

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3) Form

Appears 3-dimensional (3D) such as a cube, sphere, pyramid or cylinder.
(Shape is only two-dimensional; form is three-dimensional. You can hold a form; walk around a form)
Form can also be geometric or organic.

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The ELEMENTS of art: form

Are these forms organic or geometric? Where is the positive and negative shapes?

CLOUD GATE, Chicago ,Anish Kapoor

SNOWBALL, Andy Goldsworthy

Midsummer Snowballs, Andy Goldsworthy

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Organic or Geometric Forms?

The ELEMENTS of art: form

Louise Nevelson

Alexander Calder’s MOBILE at the National Gallery of Art

White Vertical Water, 1972

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4) Color

See Color Theory Handout and Color Wheel

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The ELEMENTS of art: color

http://www.webexhibits.org/colorart/riley.html

Complementary ,Cool, Warm Color Schemes

Yellow and blue accentuate each other in van Gogh’s Café Terrace on the Place du Forum, Arles, 1888

Red and green accentuate each other in van Gogh’s Night Café in Arles, which was painted the same month as the café at left

Chiaroscuro (Italian for light-dark) is a term in art) is a term in art for a contrast) is a term in art for a contrast between light and dark. The term is usually applied to bold contrasts affecting a whole composition, but is also more technically used by artists and art historians for the use of effects representing contrasts of light, not necessarily strong, to achieve a sense of volume in modeling three-dimensional objects such as the human body. Further specialised uses of the term are "chiaroscuro woodcut", used for coloured woodcuts printed with different blocks, each using a different coloured ink, and "chiaroscuro drawing" used for drawings on coloured paper with drawing in a dark medium and white highlighting. The term is now also used in describing similar effects in the lighting of cinema and photography.

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5) Value

Refers to the light and dark areas of a picture.
Value creates depth within a picture making an object look three dimensional (3D) with highlights and cast shadows.

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Categories of Value

Tint is adding white to create lighter values such as light blue or pink.
• Shade is adding black to create dark values such as dark blue or dark red.
• Value Scale is a scale that shows the gradual change in value from its lightest value, white to its darkest value black.

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The ELEMENTS of art: value

Refers to the light and dark areas of an art work

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Study of Arms and Hands, Da Vinci 1474

The ELEMENTS of art: value

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El Greco: Allegory, Boy Lighting Candle in the Company of an Ape and a Fool

The ELEMENTS of art: value

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THE MILKMAID

(De Melkmeid )

c. 1658-1661�oil on canvas�17 7/8 x 16 1/8 in. (45.5 x 41 cm.)�The Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

The ELEMENTS of art: value

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6) Texture

The surface quality
A rock may be rough and jagged. A piece of silk may be soft and smooth and your desk may feel hard and smooth. Texture also refers to the way a picture is made to look rough or smooth.

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The ELEMENTS of art: texture

The surface quality of an artwork usually perceived through the sense of touch. Texture may also be implied.

Pietà
Michelangelo, 1499
Marble

SURFACE is polished marble, simulated texture of flesh and fabric

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Shoes, 1888�Vincent van Gogh (Dutch, 1853–1890)�Oil on canvas; 18 x 21 3/4 in.

�Vincent van Gogh (Dutch, 1853–1890)��Sunflowers 1887��Medium�Oil on canvas 17 x 24 in. (43.2 x 61 cm)

The ELEMENTS of art: texture

Cafe Terrace at Night, also known as The Cafe Terrace on the Place du Forum, is an oil painting executed by the Dutch artist Vincent van Gogh on an industrially primed canvas of size 25 (Toile de 25 figure) in Arles) in Arles, France) in Arles, France, mid September 1888. The painting is not signed, but described and mentioned by the artist in his letters on various occasions -- and, as well, there is a large pen drawing of the composition which originates from the artist's estate.

The cafe terrace, now Café Van Gogh, October 2003

Still today, visitors of the site can take the place at the north eastern corner of the Place du Forum where the artist set up his easel.^[1]. He looked south towards the artificially lighted terrace of the popular coffee house as well as into the enforced darkness of the rue leading up to the building structure far back comprising the town house (to the left, not pictured) and, beyond this structure, the tower of a former church (now Musée lapidaire). Towards the right, Van Gogh indicated a shop lighted as well, and some branches of the trees surrounding the place -- but he omitted the remainders of the roman monuments

Already in August Van Gogh told his brother Theo:

'Today I am probably going to begin on the interior of the café where I have a room, by gas light, in the evening. It is what they call here a “café de nuit” (they are fairly frequent here), staying open all night. “Night prowlers” can take refuge there when they have no money to pay for a lodging, or are too drunk to be taken in.'^[1] In the first days of September 1888, Van Gogh sat up for three consecutive nights to paint the picture, sleeping during the day.^[2] Little later, he sent the water-colour, copying the composition and again simplyfing the colour scheme on order to meet the simplicity of Japanese woodblock prints.

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6) SPACE

The distance around, between, above, below, and within an object.
Categories of Space

Positive Space (similar to positive shape)
Negative Space (similar to negative shape)
Composition: organization of elements in artwork
Focal Point

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The ELEMENTS of art: space

The distance around, between, above, below, and within an object.

Fallingwater is the name of a very special house that is built over a waterfall. Frank Lloyd Wright, America’s most famous architect, designed the house for his clients, the Kaufmann family. Fallingwater was built between 1936 and 1939. It instantly became famous, and today it is a National Historic Landmark.

NEGATIVE SPACE OR POSITIVE SPACE

Cloud Gate, which is sometimes refered to as Cloud Gate on the AT&T Plaza, is a public, is a public sculpture by British artist Anish Kapoor, is a public sculpture by British artist Anish Kapoor in Millennium Park, is a public sculpture by British artist Anish Kapoor in Millennium Park within the Loop, is a public sculpture by British artist Anish Kapoor in Millennium Park within the Loop community area, is a public sculpture by British artist Anish Kapoor in Millennium Park within the Loop community area of Chicago, is a public sculpture by British artist Anish Kapoor in Millennium Park within the Loop community area of Chicago, Illinois, is a public sculpture by British artist Anish Kapoor in Millennium Park within the Loop community area of Chicago, Illinois, United States. It is the centerpiece of the AT&T Plaza, is a public sculpture by British artist Anish Kapoor in Millennium Park within the Loop community area of Chicago, Illinois, United States. It is the centerpiece of the AT&T Plaza (formerly Ameritech Plaza and SBC Plaza) and is located above Park Grill and adjacent to the Chase Promenade. The sculpture was constructed from 2004 to 2006, with a temporary unveiling in the summer of 2004. Nicknamed "The Bean" because of its legume-like shape, Cloud Gate's exterior consists of 168 highly polished stainless steel exterior consists of 168 highly polished stainless steel plates. It is 33 feet exterior consists of 168 highly polished stainless steel plates. It is 33 feet by 66 feet by 42 feet (10 m exterior consists of 168 highly polished stainless steel plates. It is 33 feet by 66 feet by 42 feet (10 m × 20 m × 13 m), and weighs 110 short tons exterior consists of 168 highly polished stainless steel plates. It is 33 feet by 66 feet by 42 feet (10 m × 20 m × 13 m), and weighs 110 short tons (99.8 t exterior consists of 168 highly polished stainless steel plates. It is 33 feet by 66 feet by 42 feet (10 m × 20 m × 13 m), and weighs 110 short tons (99.8 t/98.2 long tons).

Inspired by liquid mercury, it is one of the most popular sculptures in the United States. The sculpture's exterior reflects and transforms the city's skyline and visitors are welcome to walk around and under Cloud Gate's arch, which is 12 feet (3.7 m) high. On the underside of the sculpture is the "omphaloss arch, which is 12 feet (3.7 m) high. On the underside of the sculpture is the "omphalos", a concave chamber that warps and multiplies reflections. The sculpture builds upon many of Kapoor's artistic themes, although many tourists simply view the sculpture and its unique reflective properties as a photo-taking opportunity.

The sculpture was the result of a design competition. Once chosen, its implementation caused numerous technological concerns regarding its construction and assembly, as well as ongoing concerns regarding its upkeep and maintenance. Various experts were consulted, some of whom believed the design could not be implemented. Eventually, a feasible method was found, but the sculpture fell behind schedule, and was unveiled in an incomplete form during the Millennium Park grand opening celebration before being concealed for completion. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloud_Gate

http://www.sculpture.org.uk/image/504816331403/

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Paris Street Scene

1972

Richard Estes (American, 1936- )

Oil on canvas

40”H x 60”W�101.6 cm x 152.4 cm

Virginia Museum of Fine Arts,

The ELEMENTS of art: space

Where is the positive and negative space? How can you tell?

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The PRINCIPLES of design: balance, movement, rhythm, contrast, emphasis, repetition and unity

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The PRINCIPLES of design: balance

Used to create a sense of stability - can be asymmetrical or symmetrical or radial

Equal distribution of VISUAL weight on either side of a composition’s center

Martin Johnson Heade�American, 1819-1904

Magnolias on Light Blue Velvet Cloth, 1885/95

Oil on canvas�38.6 x 61.8 cm (15 1/4 x 24 3/8 in.)

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The PRINCIPLES of design: balance

Lips Sofa by Salvador Dali

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Robert Indiana “LOVE” in NYC

The PRINCIPLES of design: balance

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The PRINCIPLES of design: balance

On the Trail, c. 1892, watercolor over graphite on paper, Gift of Ruth K. Henschel in memory of her husband, Charles R. Henschel

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The PRINCIPLES of design: balance

The Third of May 1808, Francisco Goya, 1814, Prado Museum

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The PRINCIPLES of design: movement

Combines elements in an art work to create the illusion of action

The Scream, Edvard Munch, 1893, oil

LITHOGRAPH, 1895

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The PRINCIPLES of design: rhythm

Repeats elements in an art work to create a visual tempo

Victor Vasarely�(Hungarian, born 1908)�Vega-Nor, 1969�Oil on canvas, 78 3/4 x 78 3/4"�Gift of Seymour H. Knox, 1969 Albright Knox Art Gallery

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Golconde
René Magritte, 1953
Oil on canvas
81 × 100 cm, 31.9 × 39.37
The Menil CollectionThe Menil Collection, Houston, Texas

The PRINCIPLES of design: rhythm

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The PRINCIPLES of design: contrast

Combining elements to point out their differences

Edgar Degas (sculptor)�French, 1834 - 1917�Little Dancer Aged Fourteen, 1878-1881�yellow wax, hair, ribbon, linen bodice, satin shoes, muslin tutu, wood base�98.9 x 34.7 x 35.2 cm (38 15/16 x 13 11/16 x 13 7/8 in.)

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Self-Portrait Looking at The Last Supper, 1982–84�Marisol (Marisol Escobar) (American, born France, 1930)�Painted and drawn wood, plywood, brownstone, plaster, aluminum; 121 1/2 x 358 x 61 in. (307.6 x 909.9 x 154.9 cm)�Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Roberto C. Polo, 1986 (1986.430.1-129)�© Marisol Escobar/Licensed by VAGA, New York, NY�

The PRINCIPLES of design: contrast

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The PRINCIPLES of design: emphasis

Or FOCUS in an artwork

Edward Hopper�American, 1882-1967

NIGHTHAWKS, Edward Hopper 1942 84.1x152.4cm Oil on Canvas, Chicago Art Institute

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The PRINCIPLES of design: repetition

Repetition of elements or combinations of elements in a recognizable organization.

100 Cans, Andy Warhol

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The PRINCIPLES of design: unity

Total visual effect achieved by blending the elements and principles of design

Sam Gilliam�Relative, 1969�Anonymous Gift�1994.39.1 National Gallery of Art

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Sam Gilliam�Untitled, 1971�Gift (Partial and Promised) of Barbara and Stanley Tempchin�2006.135.1

The PRINCIPLES of design: unity

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Artist�Claude Monet (French, 1840–1926)��Title�Water Lilies��Date�1919��Medium�Oil on canvas��Dimensions�39 3/4 x 78 3/4 in. (101 x 200 cm)

The PRINCIPLES of design: unity

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Claude Monet. Water Lilies. c.1920.�Oil on canvas, triptych, each section 6'6" x 14" (200 x 425 cm).�The Museum of Modern Art, New York. Mrs. Simon Guggenheim Fund.�Photograph ©1997 The Museum of Modern Art, New York, by Kate Keller/Erik Landsberg�

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Sources