This document provides an overview of elements and principles of art in Western and Classical styles across different periods, including definitions of line, shape, color, value, form, texture, space, balance, contrast, emphasis, movement, pattern, rhythm, and unity. It also discusses different artistic techniques used in prehistoric, Egyptian, Greek, Roman, medieval, Byzantine, Romanesque, and Gothic periods. Examples are given of specific artworks to illustrate the elements, principles, and characteristics discussed for each period.
3. This lesson was designed and written with you in mind. It is
here to help you master the Elements and Principles of Art
style in Western and Classical Arts. The scope of this
module permits it to be used in many different learning
situations. The language used recognizes the diverse
vocabulary level of students. The lessons are arranged to
follow the standard sequence of the course.
4. Have you ever looked at an artwork and
wondered how the artist decided to begin
making it? All art, whether two dimensional
like a painting or three dimensional like a
sculpture, contains one or more of the
elements and principles.
5. These are basic elements that are
used by artist in creating art; they
are what you use to create an
aesthetically pleasing work. When
we make art, we need to
understand and apply these seven
elements of art. (EUROAMERICAN SCHOOL OF
MONTERREY by MS. GABI MARÍ DE SERNA’S ART CLASS!)
6. A mark made by a
tool such as a
brush, pen or stick;
a moving point.
LINE
7. A flat, enclosed
area that has two
dimensions, length
and width. Artists
use both
geometric and
organic shapes.
SHAPE
8. Is one of the most
dominant elements.
It is created by light.
There are three
properties of color;
Hue (name)Value
(shades and
tints,)and intensify
(brightness.)
COLOR
10. Objects that are
three-dimensional
having length,
width and height.
They can be
viewed from many
sides. Forms take
up space and value
FORMS
Queen Nefertiti painted lime stone 18th Dynasty, 1375- 1357 BC
11. Describes the feel
of an actual
surface. The
surface quality of
an object; can be
real or implied.
TEXTURE
Venus ofWillendorf 28,000 B.C.E. – 25,000 B.C.E
12. Is used to create
the illusion of
depth. Space can
be two-
dimensional,
negative and/ or
positive.
SPACE
13. These are the standards or rules to be
observed by artist in creating works of
Art; they are how to create and
organize Artwork. When elements are
utilized with the principles in mind,
outstanding artwork is created.
PRINCIPLES OF ARTS Week 2
14. A distribution of visual
weight on either side of
the vertical axis. Syme
metrical balance uses
the same
characteristics.
Asymmetrical uses
different but equally
weighted fead tures.
BALANCE
15. The arrangement
of opposite
elements (light vs.
dark, rough vs.
smooth, small vs.
large, etc...) in a
composition to
create visual
interest
CONTRAST
16. Uses to make certain
parts of an Artwork
stand out. It creates
the center of interest
or focal point. It is
the place in which an
Artist draws your eye
to first.
EMPHASIS
Court of the Empress Theodora
17. How the eye moves
through the
composition; leading
the attention of the
viewer from one
aspect of the work to
another. Can create
the illusion of action.
MOVEMENT
Myron the Discobulus
18. The repetition of
specific visual
elements such as a
unit of shape or form.
A method used to
organize surfaces in a
consistent regular
manner.
PATTERN
20. Visually pleasing
agreement among
the elements in a
design. It is the
feeling that
everything in the
work of Artworks
together and look
like it fits.
UNITY
22. B.
D.
Exercise Task No. 2: Identify Me! Identify what elements or
principles of art are used in the following
artworks.
23. Pre-historic drawings of animals were usually
correct in proportion and native to its region.
Artist/s:
These paintings may be more an artefact of the
archaeological evidence than a true picture of
humans’ first created art.
Example: Lascaux cave paintings, Paleolithic era
Cave of Lascaux, 15000-10000 B.C. – Stone Age
Pre –Historic Period
24. Characteristics:
Highly stylized, symbolic, and shows profile view of an
animal or a person Main colors: red, black, blue, gold, and
green
Hieroglyphics—a system of writing using picture symbols
used in ancient Egypt.
Artist/s:
In this period, it is not stated who is/are the artist/s
involved in Egyptian painting but there are slave laborers,
well-paid and highly respected workers that are
responsible for implementing the Pharaoh’s visions. When
it comes to the tomb, it was the painter's task to preserve
the dead individual's spirit.
Egyptian Period
25. Greek Period
Its development is naturalistic but idealized
depictions of the human body, in which largely nude
male figures were generally the focus of innovation.
It shows Linear perspective and Naturalistic
representation.
The most famous of all ancient Greek painters was
whom lauded as having "surpassed all the other
painters who either preceded or succeeded him.
Examples: Amphora, example of a red-figure vase
26. The famous and distinctive style of Greek vase-painting
with figures depicted with strong outlines, with thin lines
within the outlines, reached its peak from about 600 to
350 BC, and divides into the two main styles, almost
reversals of each other, of painting, the other color
forming the background in each case.
Kerch Style – also referred as Kerch Vases are red, figured
pottery
PANEL PAINTING
Paintings flat panels of wood. It can be either small, single
pieced or several panels joined together depicted figural
scenes, including and still-life.
Example: Pitsa Panel
Roman Period
27. TOMB/ WALL PAINTING
Sharp, flatly outline style of painting, depicts
symposium scene on the wall. Example : Tomb of
the Diver, 470 BC,
In tomb paintings, artists rely on the shade and
hues of paint to create depth and life-like feeling.
Most common Methods of Painting
1. Fresco – water base pigments on a freshly
applied plaster on walls. Ideals for durable and
style.
2. Encaustic – developed by Greek ship builders,
used hot wax.
28. Characteristics:
“Classical”, or “Classicizing,” when used in reference to Roman
art refers broadly to the influences of Greek art from the
Classical and Hellenistic (relating to or a characteristic of the
classical Greek Civilization from the death of Alexander the
Great to the accession of Augustus) periods (480-31 B.C.E.)
Classicizing elements include the smooth lines, elegant
drapery, idealized nude bodies, highly naturalistic forms and
balanced proportions that the Greeks had perfected over
centuries of practice.
The subject matter ranged from busts of important ancestors
to mythological and historical scenes, still life, and
landscapes—all to create the idea of an erudite patron steeped
in culture
Example: “Battle of Alexander and Darius at Issus,” detail of
the Roman mosaic done in the opus vermiculatum technique,
from the Casa del Fauno, Pompeii, late 2nd century BC.
29. MEDIEVAL ERA 400 BC – 1, 400 AD;
Byzantine Period,
Romanesque Period and Gothic
30. MOSAIC—This technique is used for decorative art or interior
decorations.
*A convincing image of reality, presented figures with direct
gazed that were meant to spiritually engage the viewer.
Example: Justinian I, detail of a 6th-century mosaic at the
church of San Vitale, Ravenna, Italy
Characteristics:
The figures are posed frontally in a distinct figurative style, with
all thin bodies, tiny feet pointed forward, oval faces and huge
eyes, and without any suggestion of movement.
Examples: EmpressTheodora, detail of a wall mosaic, 6th
century; in the
church of San Vitale, Ravenna, Italy.
Period Byzantine
31. Characteristics:
They were inside of the churches and they were
like a book for the people who were not able to
read. They were not realistic. They were rigid and
schematic and they did not have background
landscapes. They were painted in bright colours to
attract the attention of the people.
Romanesque Period
32. Mural paintings
‘Mural’ is derived from the Latin word ‘murus’ which means wall.
It can be defined as any piece of artwork painted or applied
directly onto a wall, ceiling or other larger permanent surfaces,
flat, concave or convex, to be precise.
@The walls of the apse were very common. Techniques Frescoes
and Temper, Flat Drawing, Lack Perspective Elongated Body Part
@Use of Black color to outline figure,Religious, Bring out
message of stories of old and New Testaments Hierarchy shown
by gradual decrease in sizes
@Eyes are wide open
@According to areas under Romanesque there is little change in
paintings. Uses bright and intense colors (Red, Yellow, Orange,
Blue)
33. Stained Glass – a colored glass used to form decorative or pictorial designs
a glass colored or stained (as by fusing metallic oxides into it) for decorative
applications (as in window)
Example:The North Rose window of
France, 1190-1220 CE.
Characteristics:
@Elaborated for decorative effect its emphasis on elegance, delicate detail,
soft facial expressions, and smooth forms
@Illustrating stories of the bible and conveying moral meaning
@Emphasized the rose window’s radial effect, exaggerating the petal-like
shapes radiating from the center into the “rays” of colored glass
Gothic Period
34. Learning Exercise 2: Complete theVenn diagram below as
you identify the classifications of each painting. At center,
put the similarities of the two paintings.
