1. The Language of Art:
The Elements and
Principles of Design
Color
Space Texture
Shape Proportion
Emphasis Rhythm and
Movement
Line
Balance
Value Unity
1

2. Element #1
Line
Definition: Line is an element of art which refers
to the continuous mark made on a surface by a
moving point to define a space where its length
dominates its width.
There are many different types of
lines.
Sharp/jagged Soft Curvy Straight Feathery Rough

3. There are lines all around us, look around!
Straight, tall lines in the city
This rope has a
curvy line quality in
it
Lines in a curvy road

4. The most important ones are
horizontal, vertical, and diagonal.
Each of these implies a certain mood
or feeling.
Horizontal
Vertical
Horizontal=
Wide, calm, deserted
Vertical=
Tall, menacing
Diagonal=action

5. Element #2
Shape
Definition: Shape is a closed form made
out of lines.
Shapes can be in the form of squares,
circles, triangles, rectangles, and ovals.

6. Things in nature are made up of shapes
Round shape like this fruit
Spikey
shape moon shape

7. You may also recognize shape used in artwork:
M.C. Escher Paul Klee
Helen Ward’s Fox Story
You can also use shape for your illustration!

8. Element #3
Value
Definition: Value is the lightness or darkness of
something, which can create depth and contrast.

9. Element #4
Color
Definition: Color is the element of art that is produced
when light, striking an object, is reflected back to the
eye.
Three Properties of Color
Hue: The name Value:
we give to a color Intensity: Lightness or darkness.
How bright or (To add white or black )
dull a color is.

10. Property of Color
Hue: The name
we give to a color
Tip: Color wheels are a “map” for using color

11. Property of Color
Intensity
(of color)
Fauvist Painters usually use bright colors. Piet Mondrian Had a dull Color Scheme in this painting.

12. Property of Color
Value of Color
Tint: color mixed with white
Shade: Color mixed with black

13. Element #5
Space
Definition: Space is The
designed and structured
surface of two-dimensional
surface to create the illusion
of depth.
Outer space is not the same as
artistic space, but it still has a lot of
dimension.

14. Here, space is created by the changing size of the objects.
David Weisner

15. More ways to create the illusion of space in art !
Bird Baylor creates space
Here, Laura Numeroff used by making objects clear in
perspective and overlap to create the front and fuzzy in the
space back. This is called
atmospheric perspective.

16. Element #6
Texture
Definition: Texture is the surface quality or feel of
an object, its smoothness roughness, etc. Actual
textures can be felt with the fingers while simulated
textures are created by the artists to look like the
surface has the specific texture.
Actual Texture (tree bark) Simulated Texture (snail illustration)

17. Check out the different ways artists can use texture!
Collage is one way
This artist created
to create texture
texture with words on
like illustrator Jon
top of the face.
Sciezscka does.
Van Gogh's paint strokes create
a texture on the canvas

18. Principle #1
Balance
Definition: Balance is the way the elements of art
are arranged to create a feeling of stability in a
work; a pleasing or harmonious arrangement or
proportion of parts or areas in a design or
composition.
Three Types of Balance
SYMMETRICAL RADIAL
ASSYMETRICAL
"I find sometimes I may want to end up with subtlety, but I have to start out boldly. I think you have to
exaggerate to get it across. . . . All I can say is that you have to lean over a little to the left, and overdo
it a bit, and then come back into balance, that ever-important balance.“- Andrew Wyeth (1917-),
American realist painter.

19. SYMMETRICAL Balance
Diego Rivera- Flower Day Van Eyck- The Arnolfini Wedding
The mirror image from one side to
another. (Can be split down the middle and have
two identical sides.)

20. Balance
Mariam Sharipo- Delaunay
Not equal from one side to another.
(Different on each side.)

21. RADIAL Balance
Radial Balance: Occurs when the elements of
design come out/radiate from a central point.
Like a pinwheel! Buddhists create Mandala (circle) art with sand to show patience.

22. Proportion
Definition: Proportion refers to the harmonious
relationship of one part to another or to the whole
with respect to size and ratio.
You can measure and compare parts to create
correct proportion.

23. Rhythm
Definition: When the regular repetition of particular
forms or elements occurs in a work of art, that work is
said to have rhythm. It suggests motion.
Repeating shapes in this fence Piet Mondrian- Broadway Boggie Woogie
photograph create rhythm

24. Rhythm (Con’d)
How does Jackson Pollock create rhythm in his artwork?

25. Rhythm (Con’d)
Repetition of curvy lines (splatters)
Repetition of colors

26. Movement

27. Emphasis

28. Unity

29. Variety
Using different types of art elements in a picture to create
more diversity and interest.
Variety makes life more interesting too!

30. These artists use a variety of elements
to create interest in their art.
Barron Storrey- line and shape
Kandinsky-line, shape, color
Jacob Lawrence-shape, color,
and theme

31. Composition
The plan, placement or arrangement of
the elements of art .
Much like a music composer, artists can create the effects they want by
planning their composition.