Elements and Principles
The ingredients of Art The recipe used to create Art

Elements
• The ingredients of Art. Most basic forms.

Line
The path left by a moving point.
A continuous mark.

Colour
The colour wheel consists of primary,
secondary and tertiary colours. Secondary
colours are achieved by mixing three primary
colours together. The colours of the colour
wheel are called hues.

Tone
Is the degree of lightness or darkness of
aspects of an artwork, such as colour or light.

Shape
Is a two-dimensional area that can be drawn or
cut. Shapes can be organic or geometric.

Texture
Texture can be implied or real.

Form
Is an element of art that is three-dimensional.
It has height, width and depth and encloses
space or volume.

Principles
The recipe to create Art. A way to arrange the
elements

Composition
Is an arrangement or combination of the
design elements.

BalanceThis may be symmetrical where elements are
mirrored on opposite sides of the composition,
or asymmetrical where the elements are not
mirrored and the composition appears
unbalanced
Symmetrical Asymmetrical

Balance
This may be
symmetrical where
elements are
mirrored on
opposite sides of
the composition,
or asymmetrical
where the
elements are not
mirrored and the
composition
appears
unbalanced.
Symmetrical
balance
Asymmetrical
balance

Contrast
Contrast should always be thought of in terms
of creating tension between opposites: ie:
large –small, light – dark, soft – hard

Focal Point
Is the main area of interest in an artwork. The
artist will arrange or use certain elements to
draw the attention of the viewer. Artists can
create focal points using certain techniques
including contrast within a particular element,
the size and placement of certain elements and
by using line and rhythm to draw our attention.

Unity
Is achieved in an artwork when all the
elements work together to create a strong
sense of connection with the artwork. The
elements may all be used in a similar way, thus
creating unity. An example of this is repetition.
When elements are the same size and type are
placed in a particular pattern they are said to
be unified through repetition. Harmony within
elements can also create a sense of unity, such
as the harmonious colours in a work. Often
when elements are repeated there will be an
aspect that is different to create variety.

Rhythm
The repetition of elements in an artwork
creates a sense of rhythm. The repetition of
art elements creates a pattern and
encourages the viewer’s eye to move around
the artwork. Rhythm is generally created by
the ordered pattern of shapes, space and
colour in the work.

SpaceWhen an artist arranges the
art elements in the artwork,
they create the artwork in
space. In two-dimensional
artworks, three dimensional
space is given in an illusion
or is created, In three-
dimensional artworks the
artist is working with three
dimensional space. Often
artists creating installation
works are creating the
artwork in a pre-existing
space.

Rhythm
The repetition of elements in an artwork
creates a sense of rhythm. The repetition of
art elements creates a pattern and
encourages the viewer’s eye to move around
the artwork. Rhythm is generally created by
the ordered pattern of shapes, space and
colour in the work.