Elements of Art Are Stylistic Features That Are in

Elements of art are stylistic features that are included within an art piece to help the
artist communicate.The seven most common elements include line, shape, texture,
form, space, colour and value, with the additions of mark making, and
materiality.When analyzing these intentionally utilized elements, the viewer is guided
towards a deeper understanding of the work.
Line
Lines are marks moving in a space between two points whereby a viewer can
visualize the stroke movement, direction, and intention based on how the line is
oriented. Lines describe an outline, capable of producing texture according to their
length and curve. There are different types of lines artists may use, including, actual,
implied, vertical, horizontal, diagonal and contour lines, which all have different
functions. Lines are also situational elements, requiring the viewer to have knowledge
of the physical world in order to understand their flexibility, rigidity, synthetic nature,
or life.
Shape
A shape is a two-dimensional design encased by lines to signify its height and width
structure, and can have different values of color used within it to make it appear three-
dimensional. In animation, shapes are used to give a character a distinct personality
and features, with the animator manipulating the shapes to provide new life.There are
different types of shapes an artist can use and fall under either geometrical, defined by
mathematics, or organic shapes, created by the artist. Simplistic, geometrical shapes
include circles, triangles and squares, and provide a symbolic and synthetic feeling,
whereas acute angled shapes with sharp points are perceived as dangerous
shapes.Rectilinear shapes are viewed as dependable and more structurally sound,
while curvilinear shapes are chaotic and adaptable.
Form
Form is a three-dimensional object with volume of height, width and depth. These
objects include cubes, spheres and cylinders. Form is often used when referring to
physical works of art, like sculptures, as form is connected most closely with three-
dimensional works..
Color
Color is an element consisting of hues, of which there are three properties: hue,
chroma or intensity, and value. Color is present when light strikes an object and it is
reflected back into the eye, a reaction to a hue arising in the optic nerve.The first of
the properties is hue, which is the distinguishable color, like red, blue or yellow. The
next property is value, meaning the lightness or darkness of the hue. The last is
chroma or intensity, distinguishing between strong and weak colors. A visual
representation of chromatic scale is observable through the color wheel that uses the
primary colors.
Space
Space refers to the perspective (distance between and around) and proportion (size)
between shapes and objects and how their relationship with the foreground or
background is perceived.There are different types of spaces an artist can achieve for
different effect. Positive space refers to the areas of the work with a subject, while
negative space is the space without a subject.Open and closed space coincides with
three-dimensional art, like sculptures, where open spaces are empty, and closed
spaces contain physical sculptural elements.
Texture
Texture is used to describe the surface quality of the work, referencing the types of
lines the artist created.The surface quality can either be tactile (real) or strictly visual
(implied).Tactile surface quality is mainly seen through three-dimensional works, like
sculptures, as the viewer can see and/or feel the different textures present, while
visual surface quality describes how the eye perceives the texture based on visual
cues.
Value
Value refers to the degree of perceivable lightness of tones within an image. The
element of value is compatible with the term luminosity, and can be "measured in
various units designating electromagnetic radiation". The difference in values is often
called contrast, and references the lightest (white) and darkest (black) tones of a work
of art, with an infinite number of grey variants in between. While it is most relative to
the greyscale, though, it is also exemplified within colored images.
Mark making and materiality

Mark making is the interaction between the artist and the materials they are using.It
provides the viewer of the work with an image of what the artist had done to create
the mark, reliving what the artist had done at the time. Materiality is the choice of
materials used and how it impacts the work of art and how the viewer perceives it.
Pattern
Pattern is the way something is organized and repeated in its shape or form and can
flow without much structure in some random repetition. Patterns might branch out
similar to flowers on a plant or form spirals and circles as a group of soap bubbles or
seem irregular in the cracked, dry mud. All works of art have some sort of pattern
even though it may be hard to discern; the pattern will form by the colors, the
illustrations, the shape, or numerous other art methods.
Unity and variety: In art, unity conveys a sense of completeness, pleasure when
viewing the art, and cohesiveness to the art, and how the patterns work together brings
unity to the picture or object. As the opposite of unity, variety should provoke
changes and awareness in the art piece. Colors can provide unity when they are in the
same color groups, and a splash of red can provide variety.
proportion/Scale: Proportion is the relationship between items in a painting, for

example, between the sky and mountains. If the sky is more than two-thirds of the
painting, it looks out of proportion. The scale in art is similar to proportion, and if
something is not to scale, it can look odd. If there is a person in the picture and their
hands are too large for their body, then it will look out of scale. Artists can also use
scale and proportion to exaggerate people or landscapes to their advantage.
Rhythm/Movement: Rhythm in a piece of art denotes a type of repetition used to

either demonstrate movement or expanse. For instance, in a painting of waves
crashing, a viewer will automatically see the movement as the wave finishes. The use
of bold and directional brushwork will also provide movement in a painting.
Emphasis: Emphasis can be color, unity, balance, or any other principle or element of
art used to create a focal point. Artists will use emphasis like placing a string of gold
in a field of dark purple. The color contrast between the gold and dark purple causes
the gold lettering to pop out, becoming the focal point.
Contrast: Contrast is defined as the difference in colors to create a piece of visual art.
For instance, black and white is a known stark contrast and brings vitality to a piece
of art, or it can ruin the art with too much contrast. Contrast can also be subtle when
using monochromatic colors, giving variety and unity the final piece of art.
balance: The balance in a piece of art refers to the distribution of weight or the
apparent weight of the piece. Arches are built for structural design and to hold the
roof in place, allowing for passage of people below the arch and creating balance
visually and structurally. It may be the illusion of art that can create balance.
Saturation: the intensity of color, and when the color is fully saturated, the color is
the purest form or most authentic version. The primary colors are the three fully
saturated colors as they are in the purest form. As the saturation decreases, the color
begins to look washed out when white or black is added. When a color is bright, it is
considered at its highest intensity.

Elements of Art Are Stylistic Features That Are in

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Elements of art are stylistic features that are included within an art piece to help the

Mark making and materiality

proportion/Scale: Proportion is the relationship between items in a painting, for

Rhythm/Movement: Rhythm in a piece of art denotes a type of repetition used to

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