The elements of art
The elements are the building blocks.
- Dot (point): the smallest mark.
- Line: a path of dots. It can be straight, curved, thick, thin, dotted.
- Shape: a flat area with an edge, like a circle or square. It has height and width.
- Form: a shape with depth, like a ball or a box. It has height, width and depth.
- Colour: what we see when light bounces off a thing. It has hue (which colour), value (light or dark) and intensity (bright or dull).
- Texture: how a surface feels, such as rough or smooth.
Colour and feeling
Warm colours (red, orange, yellow) feel close, lively and hot. Cool colours (blue, green, violet) feel far, calm and cold. Artists use warm colours to pull the eye and cool colours to rest it. Primary colours (red, yellow, blue) cannot be mixed from others; mixing two gives a secondary colour.
The principles of design
The principles are ways of arranging the elements.
- Balance: the picture feels steady, not tipping to one side. Symmetry (same on both sides) or a big object near the middle balancing a small one far away.
- Contrast: big next to small, light next to dark. It makes things stand out.
- Rhythm: repeating elements, like a pattern of steps.
- Unity: all parts feel like they belong together.
How we see and feel art
Art is made by a person and read by another. The maker chooses elements to say something. The viewer looks, feels and thinks. Two people may see different things, and that is fine. Ask: what do I see? How do I feel? Why did the artist choose this?
Try it
In the last step, make a small picture: one big warm shape near the middle and two small cool dots far away. Does it feel balanced? Then at home draw the same picture with only cool colours and compare how it feels.
Key formulas and definitions
- Elements: dot, line, shape, form, colour, texture
- Principles: balance, contrast, rhythm, unity
- Shape = height + width (flat). Form = height + width + depth (solid)
- Warm colours: red, orange, yellow. Cool colours: green, blue, violet
Worked examples
1. Is a drawn circle a shape or a form? What would turn it into a form?
A drawn circle is flat, so it is a shape. Adding shading or depth makes it look like a ball, which is a form.
2. A poster has a red button on a dark blue background. Which principle makes the button stand out?
Contrast. Warm red against dark cool blue differs a lot, so the eye goes straight to it.
3. You put a big tree on the left. How can you balance the picture with small things?
Place several small things (such as birds, a house or a flag) on the right, a bit further from the middle. Or put a second big tree at the right for symmetry.
4. List the three primary colours and make a secondary colour.
Red, yellow and blue. Red + yellow = orange.
Common mistakes
- Mixing up shape and form. A shape is flat, a form is solid.
- Using too many bright colours so nothing stands out.
- Thinking balance means both sides must be identical. Unequal things can balance too.
- Saying art has only one correct meaning.