Why are the Elements and Principles of Art Important?

Knowing the elements and principles of art boosts visual literacy. Artists and creators make more powerful works when they utilize the principles of art. When viewers are familiar with the elements of art, they become more aware of the details and can better appreciate what they see and the message behind it. Connecting with art makes us more empathetic and strengthens the fabric of society. In the age of the internet, understanding how and why advertisers make design decisions can empower students with information and make them less susceptible to manipulation. https://artclasscurator.com/principles-of-design-examples/

Video Lesson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65WjYDEzi88&t=43s

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1lNdZVSQRT5LoaojAhqFaOlfb0widxuqnkzw97G3L05s/edit?usp=sharing

Presentation: Elements_and_Principles_of_Design.ppt

Understanding the elements and principles of art and design packet with definitions and examples: understanding_formal_analysis__the_elements_art_principles_of_design (1).pdf

Elements and Principles of Art and Design

The seven elements of art and design are the building blocks of off art.

Everything that is created starts from these seven elements. These seven words, the definitions, and understanding of them are the vocabulary we will use when we describe works of art and talk about things together. You must be able to define and identify these seven elements.

Line: a path created by a moving point, mark, or object.

Shape: a two-dimensional, flat, enclosed area. Classified as geometric or organic/freeform.

Form: a three-dimensional shape. It has height, width, and depth.

Value: the lightness or darkness of something (a hue/color, an object). Lightness is referred to as light, and darkness is called shade or shadow.

Color: also known as hue. Can add interest and mood to art. Primary colors are red, blue, and yellow. Modern primary colors are magenta, cyan, and yellow. There are secondary and tertiary colors. There are warm and cool colors, tints, shades, and tones. Concepts related to color are color scheme, saturation, and intensity.

Texture: how something feels, or looks like it would feel if you could touch it. In this course we will study three types of texture - actual, implied, and imaginary.

Space: refers to the emptiness or area around or within objects. Positive space is the part of the art that takes up the space, negative space is the area around that object. This also refers to the parts of the picture - background, middle ground, and foreground. Perspective is another way to show that there is space and dimension in an artwork.

The nine principles of art/design describe how artists use the elements of art in a composition (a work of art).

Movement is the path the viewer’s eye takes through the work of art, often to focal areas. Such movement can be directed along lines, edges, shape, and color within the work of art.

Balance is the distribution of the visual weight of objects, colors, texture, and space.

If the design was a scale, these elements should be balanced to make a design feel

stable. In symmetrical balance, the elements used on one side of the design are

similar to those on the other side; in asymmetrical balance, the sides are different

but still look balanced. In radial balance, the elements are arranged around a central

point and may be similar.

Unity is the feeling of harmony between all parts of the work of art, which creates a sense of completeness

Variety is the use of several elements of design to hold the viewer’s attention and to guide the viewer’s eye through and around the work of art.

Rhythm is created when one or more elements of design are used repeatedly to create a feeling of organized movement. Rhythm creates a mood like music or dancing. To keep rhythm exciting and active, variety is essential

Pattern is the repeating of an object or symbol all over the work of art.

Repetition works with pattern to make the work of art seem active. The repetition of elements of design creates unity within the work of art.

Proportion is the feeling of unity created when all parts (sizes, amounts, or numbers) relate well with each other. When drawing the human figure, proportion can refer to the size of the head compared to the rest of the body. Associated words: scale, size

Emphasis is the part of the design that catches the viewer’s attention. Usually the artist will make one area stand out by contrasting it with other areas. The area could be different in size, color, texture, shape, etc. Associated words: contrast, juxtaposition

Videos

The Elements of Art: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nbXLcUkae9k

Understanding the Principles of Art: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65WjYDEzi88

Video lesson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65WjYDEzi88

Video Lesson Worksheet: Principles_of_Design_Worksheet.docx

Video Lesson Answer Key: Principles_of_Design_Answer_Key.docx

Review of elements and principles of art and design: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1etzkDChZAQuaLcQow9rrxs6QdICbSERKlSZBB6cUn1Q/edit?usp=sharing

Student Samples of Initial Principles of Art/Design Worksheet: Principles of ArtDesign Student Samples.pdf

ASSIGNMENT:

Create four compositions, each representing ONE principle of art/design. (Create one composition for one principle, four times. For example, composition 1 = balance, composition 2, variety, composition 3, movement, composition 4, proportion.)

Your objective is to clearly and explicitly represent the principle of art in the composition so that, without words, anyone familiar with the principles of art will see that principle in your composition clearly/quickly.

You must use colored pencil. You can use your own art paper. Each drawing should be on a canvas with minimum dimensions of 4x4inches.

Friday - Wednesday 11/7-12: learn the principles of art, practice analyzing principles of art in many compositions,

Thursday 11/13: Intro to assignment. Brainstorm for your compositions. PLANNING and SKETCHING your designs.

Friday 11/14: Realizing your four compositions. USE YOUR TIME WELL.

Monday 11/17: Realizing your four compositions. USE YOUR TIME WELL. DUE TOMORROW AT 9AM.

Tuesday 11/18: Art gallery and art analysis assignment. Interpreting standard.

Art examples based on key terms! https://artclasscurator.com/proportion-and-scale-artwork-examples/

1995 website!! http://char.txa.cornell.edu/language/PRINCIPL/principl.htm

LATER

PLAN: Students will deepen their understanding of the Principles of Art & Design.

Students will watch a video on the third principle of art and design, Contrast, together as a class.

Students MUST take notes on the videos in their Visual Arts Journals and then complete the assignment in their journals.

Video link: Video 1: Principle of Art: Contrasthttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKCPWjTQWrY

Students can re-watch the videos individually for clarification if needed.

Later

Gradation information! https://www.jhicksfineart.com/blog/147007/gradation-use-this-design-principle-to-create-the-illusion-of-depth

https://woodart.studio/2022/04/06/how-gradation-is-used-in-art-by-artists/

https://www.johnlovett.com/gradation