Elements and Principles

An element of art that refers to the lightness and darkness of a color.

• hue

• value

• movement

• contrast

A mark with length and direction, created by a point that moves across a surface.

• line

• value

• contrast

• form

The empty or open area between, around, above below and within objects.

• form

• balance

• color

• space

Any three dimensional object that can be measured by height, width and depth.

• emphasis

• space

• form

• shape

The element of art that refers to the surface quality of an object or the way something feels such as rough-smooth

• shape

• texture

• color

• line

A flat figure created when actual or implied lines surround a space-can be geometric or organic

• line

• form

• shape

• space

Element of art produced when a wavelength of light strikes an object and reflects back to the eyes.

• primary

• secondary

• teriary

• color

Area in a work of art that catches and holds the viewers attention.

• space

• unity

• emphasis

• balance

Using similar elements to create a single theme

• unity

• variety

• emphasis

• space

The size of an object in relation to another object

• principle

• Proportion

• element

• shape