Elements+and+Principles

=ELEMENTS AND PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN= =//Students are required to know all the ELEMENTS and PRINCIPLES//= ELEMENTS & PRINCIPLES ** The elements and principles of design are the building blocks used to create a work of art. The elements of design can be thought of as the things that make up a painting, drawing, design etc. Good or bad - all paintings will contain most of if not all, the seven elements of design. The Principles of design can be thought of as what we do to the elements of design. How we apply the Principles of design determines how successful we are in creating a work of art.

** THE ELEMENTS OF DESIGN **
An element that may be two dimensional (as in pencil on paper etc.) three-dimensional (wire or rope), or implied (the edge of a shape or form). Line can be created by combining other elements in a pattern or direction (such as shape or colour). Line is generally geometric or organic in nature. All lines have direction - Horizontal, Vertical or Oblique. Horizontal suggests calmness, stability and tranquillity. Vertical gives a feeling of balance, formality and alertness. Oblique suggests movement and action. Lines can be organic or geometric. A shape is a self contained defined area of geometric or organic form. A positive shape in a painting automatically creates a negative shape.
 * LINE**
 * SHAPE**

[|**TEXTURE**Texture is the surface quality of a shape - rough, smooth, soft hard glossy etc. Texture can be physical (tactile) or visual. The illusion of texture is called IMPLIED texture.] [|**See more on texture**] Also called a "Hue" Identifies natural or manufactured things as being of any given hue or combination of hues. See more at Colour Theory Value is the lightness or darkness in a work.
 * COLOUR**
 * VALUE**

Space is used to describe distance, depth and/or perspective in a work. Space can be either real (3-D_ or implied as in a drawing or painting of a landscape with fore, middle, and backgrounds.
 * SPACE**

=THE PRINCIPLES OF ART=
 * BALANCE**

//**Asymmetrical Balance:** a// large shape close to the center can be balanced by a small shape close to the edge. A large light toned shape will be balanced by a small dark toned shape (the darker the shape the heavier it appears to be).

**//Symmetrical balance//** can be described as having equal "weight" on equal sides of a centrally placed fulcrum. It may also be referred to as **formal balance**. When the elements are arranged equally on either side of a central axis, the result is **Bilateral** symmetry. This axis may be horizontal or vertical.

There is a variant of symmetrical balance called **approximate symmetry** in which equivalent but not identical forms are arranged around the fulcrum line. (Images from http://char.txa.cornell.edu/language/principl/principl.htm)

**Radial Balance**
The third type of balance is radial balance, where all elements radiate out from a center point in a circular fashion. It is very easy to maintain a focal point in radial balance, since all the elements lead your eye toward the center. 

Proportion refers to the relative size and scale of the various elements in a design. The issue is the **relationship** between objects, or parts, of a whole. This means that it is necessary to discuss proportion in terms of the context or standard used to determine proportions.
 * Proportion**

A principle of design that refers to differences or oppositions in values, colours, textures, and other elements in an artwork to achieve effective/interesting compositions. //Contrast in art// also adds visual interest. Most designs require a certain amount of contrast. Too much similarity of the components in any design becomes monotonous. In other words the use of too little contrast can cause a design to be bland and uninteresting. On the other hand too much contract can be confusing. Just the right amount of contrast engages the viewer's participation in comparing various components of the work. For instance, the viewer will compare light and dark areas of a painting, wide lines and thin lines, light-weight forms and heavy forms, filled spaces and unfilled spaces, etc.
 * Contrast**

This is the principle that relates to the sense of oneness or wholeness in a work of art. More on [|UNITY WEBSITE]
 * Unity**

Movement** is the path our eyes follow when we look at a work of art. **The purpose of movement is to create unity in the artwork with eye travel.** This can be achieved by using //repetition, rhythm, and action.//
 * Rhythm

refers to the differences in the work, You can achieve variety by using difference shapes, textures, colors and values in your work.
 * Variety**

TAKE PRACTICE TEST: [|Practice Test]


 * //If you have any questions be sure to ask questions and make an appointment to meet with me during lunch or after school.//**