The Vocabulary of Art
Elements of Design
Visual Elements of Design
Visual Elements of Design are the component parts of art. The elements help define what
principles are. There cannot be a principle without an element. The elements do not occur
in isolation but one can be dominant. The elements give the artist a vocabulary to use in
order to help explain their art.
Line
A visual path of action, our eyes tend to follow lines.
Line is the connection between two points, it may be actual or implied. Line defines the
edge and shape two dimensionally. Line has different qualities: thick, thin, light, dark,
long, short, and broken. Line can create directional effects. Lines grouped together make
patterns and textures. Lines define the contour of shape by moving in and out, back and
forth.
Shape
A defined area. Two-dimensional shapes are areas that stand apart or out from the space
around them because of a definite boundary or difference of value, color, or texture.
Shapes may be geometric, organic, or composite. There are positive and negative shapes
which is also referred to as a figure-ground relationship. A figure-ground reversal occurs
when the eye switches from seeing a shape as foreground and sees it instead as background.
Texture
The surface feel of an object (actual) or the representation of surface character
(implied). Texture can be experienced through both touch and vision.
Space
The area around an object. Mass and forms occupy space. It can be actual (3-dimensional)
or implied on 2-dimensional surfaces.
Value
The range of light and dark on a shape or form or in an entire space. Value is the amount
of lightness or darkness in a color. Red when lightened by white is called pink but is
actually a light red. When gray or green is added to red it is darkened and we may call it
maroon. Pink and maroon are thus light and dark values of red.
Chiaroscuro is the process of taking light into dark to model an organic form to appear three dimensional on a two dimensional surface. This process was developed in the Renaissance.
Mass/Form
Three-dimensional shape that occupies space and has volume. Forms may be open or closed.
Color
The character of a surface that is the result of the response of vision to the wavelength
of light reflected from that surface. Color can have emotional, psychological and
physiological effects.
Principles of Visual Design
The Principles of Design can help explain the qualities of an artwork. They describe the
organization and relationships of the elements of design.
Balance
Balance is a feeling of equality in weight, attention, or attraction of various elements
within an artwork as a means of unifying a composition. It may be symmetrical,
asymmetrical or radial
Proportion
In any composition, the comparison of and relationship between the parts to each other and
to the whole. Proportion can be expressed in terms of a definite ratio, such as
"twice as big" or be expressed by "darker than", "more neutral
than", or "more important than."
Rhythm
A continuance, a flow, or a feeling of movement achieved by repetition of regulated visual
units, the use of measure accents, directs the eye through a composition.
Emphasis
(Dominance) The principle of visual organization that suggests that certain elements
should assume more importance than others in the same composition. Dominance contributes
to unity because one main idea or feature is emphasized and other elements are subordinate
to it.
Harmony
The related qualities of the visual elements of a composition. Harmony is achieved by
repetition of characteristics that are the same or similar.
Variety
The use of opposing, contrasting, changing, elaborating or diversifying elements in a
composition to add interest and individualism. The counterweight to harmony in a work of
art.
Unity
The appearance of oneness, all parts working together.
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