Art Elements

Created by Pauluzzi/SchefflerContains some copyrighted material. For nonprofit educational use only.

Line Qualities

include: width direction length feeling

Can focus attention

Can create the illusion of depth

Can “frame” an object

Different feelings are associated with horizontal, vertical and diagonal lines.

Ford Plant, River Rouge, Criss-Crossed ConveyorsCharles Sheeler

Texture

Examples include: glossy,

rough, wet, fuzzy, gritty, shiny, soft, etc.

Makes an object look “real.”

Affects perception and mood. We associate different feelings with different textures.

Shape

organic vs. inorganic

geometric vs. free form

Karl Schmidt Rottluff , Woodcut, 1915

Organic shapes generally have softer, rounder edges.

Size Size helps create depth (small

objects placed high in the frame appear farther away.)

Larger objects command more attention.

Space Positive space is occupied by a

shape or form. Negative space is empty space.

Objects can be arranged in space in a uniform pattern or randomly.

The arrangement affects perception, from crowded and claustrophobic to alone and isolated.

Color

Using the “Color and Meaning” chart on your handout, consider possible meanings for these images…

Warm Colors

Cool Colors

Black, White& Metallic

Principles of Design

Dominance One or more art elements gives

part of the image more importance than any other.

BalanceBalance is a

sense of stability in the work. Symmetry: all

elements are balanced.

Asymmetry: certain elements are given prominence.

Contrast Contrast created when opposites

are used. Can be between light and dark…

…Or a contrast in size

Unity All aspects in an image work together

to create a cohesive whole.

Apply what you’ve

learned!

Scarlett Angelina Woverton-Manning lived in a very big house with her parents, the cook, the upstairs maid, the downstairs maid, the chauffeur, and the gardener. The house had a long driveway, a large lawn, and forty-seven rooms.

Her parents loved Scarlett Angelina very much and thought she was very beautiful. “She has the Wolverton smile,” said her mama. “She has the Manning eyes,” said her papa.

From Scarlett Angelina Wolverton-Manning by Jacqueline K. Ogburn. Illustrated by Brian Ajhar.

Useful Links For Artwork

http://www.metmuseum.org/ http://www.artcyclopedia.com/

For News Photos http://www.time.com/time/photoessays/

For Political Cartoons http://www.time.com/time/cartoons/

For “Make your own cereal box” activity http://pbskids.org/dontbuyit/advertisingtricks/cerealbox_flash.html teacher’s guide at

http://www-tc.pbskids.org/dontbuyit/downloads/teachersguide.pdf