elements of design. elements are the basic visual things an artist manipulates in a space to create...
TRANSCRIPT
Elements of DesignElements of Design
Elements are the basic visual things an artist manipulates in a
space to create a composition.
They are like words in language. Elements have meaning in themselves, but need to be placed in
certain arrangements to create effective communication.
LineA line is tough to define, therefore...
It is most important to know what a line does!
Your understanding of the different types and characteristics of line will enable you
to knowledgeably and with purpose create better compositions.
There are basically
8 types of line
Vertical Linesare straight lines that goes from the top to the
bottom and are perpendicular with the horizon.
Horizontal Lines are straight level lines that goes side to side.
Horizontal and Vertical lines create stability and may enhance the feelings of calm and
peacefulness.
Why?
Our life experience tells us that horizontals and verticals are most stable because of our life experience with the force in nature called...
GRAVITY
When something is vertical, though it may be tall, gravity is acting only upon a small area, such as
with a flag pole or column.
When something is horizontal gravity is acting upon a larger area but that area is more
supported, such as when someone is laying on the ground.
Martin Johnson Heade “Sunset” 1863
Edward Hopper “Early Sunday Morning” 1930
Frank Lloyd Wright
Robie House, Chicago Illinois 1909
Harrison and Abramovitz
Aluminum Company of America Building
1950
Frank Lloyd Wright
Frank Lloyd Wright
Diagonal lines create movement and action in a composition.
Diagonal Lines are straight lines that are not
horizontal or vertical.
Charles M. Russell “Vaqueros of Old California”
Frans Snyders “Still Life with Game and White Swan”
Frans Snyders “Still Life with Game and White Swan”
Zig Zag Line is a line that abruptly changes
direction.
It can create tension, agitation, and instability in a composition
Karl Schmidt-Rottluff “Pharisees”1912
Umberto Boccioni “Dynamics of a Cyclist” 1913
Curvy Linesare lines that gradually
change direction.
They convey movement and often joyful more happy feelings because of their
gradual change.
Vincent Van Gogh “Starry Night” 1889
Vincent Van Gogh “Starry Night” 1889
Gustave Klimt
“Fulfillment (The Kiss)”
1909
Broken Lines are various line segments that imply
continuity.
Broken lines often create feelings of instability, fragility, and sensitivity.
Rembrandt van Ryn “Kostuerloren Castle in Decay” 1657
Claude Monet “Impressionism Sunrise” 1872
Edgar Degas
“Dancers”
(after 1900)
Rob Mizell “The Virgin Mary”
2004
Elyse Binz
“Three Women”
2004
Thick and Thin Lines are lines that are thicker or thinner
when compared to other lines.
Thick and thin lines create variety and interest in a composition.
In a single line, changing the thickness and thinness adds character and
expression to the form or composition.
Louis Sullivan “Schlesinger and Meyer Store Windows,” Chicago 1899-1904
Louis Sullivan “Schlesinger and Meyer Store Windows,” Chicago 1899-1904
Kathe Kollwitz
“Death Seizing a Woman”
1934
Georges Roualt
“Christ Mockedby the Soldiers”
1932
Andre Derain “London Bridge” 1906
Long and Short Lines are lines that are longer or shorter
when compared to other lines.
Lines that are longer and shorter in a composition add variety and create
interest.
Henri De Toulouse Lautrec “At the Moulin Rouge” 1892
Theodore Van Does Burg “Rhythms of a Russian Dance” 1959