Elements and Principles of Art

A mark with greater length than width;

can be horizontal, vertical, or diagonal, straight or curved, thick or thin.

• Shape

• Space

• Form

• Line

A closed line; can be geometric, like squares and circles;

or organic, like free-form or natural

• Line

• Shape

• Form

• Color

Three-dimensional shapes, expressing length, width, and depth.

Balls, cylinders, boxes, and pyramids are examples

• Line

• Form

• Space

• Shape

The area between and around objects. It is often called negative. In visual art, when we can create the feeling or illusion of depth, we call it space. 

• Space

• Color

• Form

• Shape

Light reflected off objects.

• Value

• Space

• Color

• Line

The surface quality that can be seen and felt. It can be rough or smooth, soft or hard.

• Line

• Texture

• Shape

• Color

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

• Balance

• Proportion

• Unity

• Emphasis

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 will be different in size, color, texture, shape, etc.

• Balance

• Dominance

• Emphasis

• Repetition

The path the viewer’s eye takes through the artwork, often to focal areas. It be directed along lines, edges, shape, and color within the artwork. 

• Variety

• Movement

• Rhythm

• Line

The repeating of an object, symbol, or shape all over the artwork. 

• Variety

• Repetition

• Pattern

• Rhythm