Understanding Elements of Art: Line, Color, Texture, Shape, Form, Value, Space

Line

Line - is a mark on a surface that describes a shape or outline. It can create texture and can be thick and thin. Types of line can include actual, implied, vertical, horizontal, diagonal, and contour lines. (note: Ken does not list 'psychic line' - that was a 'new term' to me)

Color

Color - refers to specific hues and has 3 properties, Chroma, Intensity, and Value. The color wheel is a way of showing the chromatic scale in a circle using all the colors made with the primary triad. Complimentary pairs can produce dull and neutral color. Black and white can be added to produce tints (add white), shades (add black), and tones (add gray).

Texture

Texture - is about surface quality either tactile or visual. Texture can be real or implied by different uses of media. It is the degree of roughness or smoothness in objects.

Shape

Shape - is a 2-dimensional line with no form or thickness. Shapes are flat and can be grouped into two categories, geometric and organic.

Form

Form - is a 3-dimensional object having volume and thickness. It is the illusion of a 3-D effect that can be implied with the use of light and shading techniques. Form can be viewed from many angles.

Value

Value - is the degree of light and dark in a design. It is the contrast between black and white and all the tones in between. Value can be used with color as well as black and white. Contrast is the extreme changes between values.

Space

Space - refers to variations in the perspective and proportions of objects, lines, or shapes. There is a variation of sizes in space of objects either real or imagined.

Center of Interest

Center of interest - is an area that first attracts attention in a composition. This area is more important when compared to the other objects or elements in a composition. This can be by contrast of values, more colors, and placement in the format.

Balance

Balance - is a feeling of visual equality in shape, form, value, color, etc. Balance can be symmetrical or evenly balanced or asymmetrical and unevenly balanced. Objects, values, colors, textures, shapes, forms, etc., can be used in creating a balance in a composition.

Harmony

Harmony - brings together a composition with similar units. If your composition was using wavy lines and organic shapes you would stay with those types of lines and not put in just one geometric shape. (Notice how similar Harmony is to Unity - some sources list both terms)

Contrast

Contrast - offers some change in value creating a visual discord in a composition. Contrast shows the difference between shapes and can be used as a background to bring objects out and forward in a design. It can also be used to create an area of emphasis.

Directional Movement

Directional Movement - is a visual flow through the composition. It can be the suggestion of motion in a design as you move from object to object by way of placement and position. Directional movement can be created with a value pattern. It is with the placement of dark and light areas that you can move your attention through the format.

Rhythm

Rhythm - is a movement in which some elements recur regularly. Like a dance, it will have a flow of objects that will seem to be like the beat of music.

Primary Colors

Primary Colors: Colors at their basic essence; those colors that cannot be created by mixing others.

Secondary Colors

Secondary Colors: Those colors achieved by a mixture of two primaries.

Tertiary Colors

Tertiary Colors: Those colors achieved by a mixture of primary and secondary hues.

Complementary Colors

Complementary Colors: Those colors located opposite each other on a color wheel.

Analogous Colors

Analogous Colors: Those colors located close together on a color wheel