Lesson

Contemporary Art Forms

5 from the Regions
Different kinds of local artworks have sprung not only in the urban centers of
the country and in schools of arts of different educational institutions but also a lot
more of never before seen or heard art forms from the countryside have made known
and have become renowned. These artworks are made with the artistic expression of
ideas of various Philippine artists and effectively delivered the message or idea of the
artwork with the use of elements and principles of art.

From the previous lessons, you described the various contemporary art forms
of the Philippines based on the elements and principles of arts and you learned who
are the National Artists of the Philippines and their contribution to Philippine Arts.
Now, in relation to that, did you ever wonder how the elements and principles of arts
is used in making an artistic artwork? Or did you ever wonder how to critic an artwork
based on the elements and principles of arts? Those questions will be answered and
explored in this module. To start your learning about the elements and principles of
art, examine the following image of artwork and process your thoughts with the help
of the guide questions below.

Thinking Man by Ang Kiukok

Redraw by Mervin Meude

These are the guide questions:

1. How does the shapes and forms define the subject of the artwork?
2. How does colors create mood or emotion in this artwork?
3. What is the artwork all about?

Elements and principles of art are being introduced in Module 1: Arts in the
Philippines. In module 1, the elements and principles of art is introduced to describe the
various contemporary art forms from the regions of the Philippines generally from Luzon,
Visayas and Mindanao. The elements of art are space, line, shape and form, color,
value, and texture. Meanwhile, the principles of art are proportion, harmony, variety,
movement, rhythm, balance, and emphasis. Now, let’s discuss these elements and
principles of art further.

1
Elements of Art
1. Line
An element of art that is used to define shape, contours, and outlines, also to suggest
mass and volume. It may be a continuous mark made on a surface with a pointed
tool or implied by the edges of shapes and forms. Line may come in two
characteristics: form – curved, dotted, or broken lines; and direction – vertical,
horizontal, or diagonal lines. Different characteristics of lines may convey different
meanings:

a) Horizontal Line creates an impression of serenity and perfect stability.

b) Vertical Line creates an impression of strength and perfect stability.
c) Diagonal Line creates an impression of action.
d) Curved Line creates an impression of gradual change of direction.
e) Circular Line creates an impression of abrupt change of direction.
Moreover, lines can be classified into different types:
a) Outlines are made by the edge of an object or its silhouette.
b) Contour Lines describe the shape of an object and the
interior detail.
c) Expressive Lines catch the movement and gestures of an
active figure.
d) Sketch Lines capture the appearance of an object or
impression of a place.
e) Calligraphic Lines are the elegant handwriting or lettering
done by hand.
f) Implied Lines are lines that are not actually drawn but
created by a group of objects seen from a distance.

2. Shape
Shape is an area that is enclosed by a line or lines. Shapes are two
dimensional figures with height and width. There are different
kinds of shapes and these are geometric shapes, organic
shapes, positive shapes, negative shapes, static shapes, and
dynamic shapes.
a) Geometric Shapes are circles, squares, rectangles, triangles,
and other geometric shapes.
b) Organic Shapes are shapes found in nature and are free
flowing, informal and irregular (abstract shapes).
c) Positive Shapes are the solid forms in a design.
d) Negative Shapes are the space around the positive shape.
e) Static Shapes are shapes that appears stable and resting.
f) Dynamic Shapes are shapes that appears moving and
active.

3. Color

2
 Colors are the way we see light reflected from a surface or refracted through a prism.
Colors we see in nature are reflections of light on the surfaces around us. We can
classify colors into primary colors, secondary colors, tertiary colors, analogous
colors, complementary colors, monochromatic colors, warm colors, and cool colors.
a) Primary colors are red, blue, and yellow.
b) Secondary colors are the resulting colors when the two of the primary colors
are mix. The secondary colors are purple, green, and orange.
c) Tertiary colors are the resulting colors when two of the primary and/or
secondary colors are mix. The tertiary colors are amber, vermilion, magenta,
violet, teal, and chartreuse.
d) Analogous Colors are colors that lie nest to each other based on the color
wheel. Example of analogous colors are yellow, orange, and red.
e) Complementary colors are colors that are opposite to each other based on
the color wheel. Examples of complementary colors are red and green, blue
and orange, and purple and yellow.
f) Monochromatic Colors are several values of one color.
g) Warm colors are colors that give the feeling of warmth. The warm colors are
yellow, amber, orange, vermilion, red, and magenta.
h) Cool colors are colors that give the feeling of coolness. The cool colors are
purple, violet, blue, teal, green, and chartreuse.
4. Space
Space refers to distances or areas around, between or within components of a piece
and refers to the arrangement of objects on the picture plane (two-dimensional). In
visual arts, space may either be positive space or negative space. Positive space
refers to a part which is enclosed in a shape. Meanwhile, negative space refers to
the opposite part which the shape is enclosing. Moreover, perspective is a technical
means by which we perceive distance in painting, by which we are made to see the
position of objects in space.

https://www.flickr.com/photos https://www.flickr.com/photos
/littlemaiba/31094230650/in/ /77278694@N02/7086843669/
photolist-PnG4t1-dev9sq in/photolist-bNeVHP-2hkmthR

3
 a) In one-point perspective, we perceive that the position of objects meets at
one point on the horizontal line.
b) In two-point perspective, we perceive that the position of objects meets at
two points on the horizontal line.
5. Texture
Texture is the element that appeals to our sense of feel on things-
rough or smooth, bumpy or slippery. It is the character of the
surface of an artwork.
a) Real texture is the actual texture of an object. Artist may create
real texture in art to give it visual interest or evoke a feeling.
b) Implied texture made a piece of art to look like a certain
texture. Like a drawing of a tree trunk may look rough but in
fact it is just a smooth piece of paper.
6. Value
Value pertains to the lightness or darkness of a color in a given artwork. Value can
be changed by adding white or black to a color and these described as tint and
shade.
a) Tint pertains to the lightness of a color.
b) Shade pertains to the darkness of a color.
7. Form
Form is the three-dimensionality of an object. It has dimensions of height, width,
and length.

According to Mader (2019), the elements of art are the visual tools that the artist
uses to create a composition. Consequently, principles of art represent how the artist
uses elements of art to create an effect and convey the artist's intent.

Principles of Art

1. Rhythm
This refers to the repetition of certain elements to produce a pattern.

2. Movement
Movement is the illusion of motion in a painting, sculpture, or design.

3. Balance
Balance refers to the visual weight in a picture. It refers to the even
distribution of positions of elements in an artwork. The principle of
balance can be symmetrical or asymmetrical.
a) Symmetrical balance refers to an artwork wherein its both
sides has the same elements in the same position.
b) Asymmetrical balance refers to an artwork wherein it is balance
through the contrast or differences of any of the elements of art.

4. Proportion
Proportion refers to the relationships of the size of objects in a body of
work.
4
5. Contrast
This principle shows differences between elements of art in an artwork.
It shows how stronger each element of art in relation to one another.
6. Variety
This principle of art refers to the diversity or the different elements
used in an artwork to make it more interesting.
7. Emphasis
Emphasis refers to the greater impact or highlight given to a certain
element in an artwork.
8. Harmony
This principle of art refers to the unity of an artwork. It is about the
arrangement of the related elements that makes an artwork to be
viewed as a whole.

These elements and principles of arts are very important aspects in

understanding and appreciating arts. It helps an artist to make an artistic artwork
which conveys their essential ideas or their intent. However, it is not just served as a
help to artists but also to the viewers. Through the elements and principles of art
present in an artwork, viewers will be able to understand, appreciate, and evaluate an
artwork. Hence, we will apply elements and principles of art in evaluating artworks.

Evaluation of Artworks Based on Elements and Principles of Art

This artwork was made by the National Artist of

the Philippines in Visual Arts Hernando Ocampo
entitled “Genesis”. According to Rafhael Piola
(2015), “some of the elements that could be seen in
this canvass, in my own opinion, would be lines
(curved), shape (amorphic), light, and color. As for
its principles of design and in my own opinion, some
of the principles visible to this canvass would be
variety in terms of its colors, and balance
(asymmetrical),
Redraw by Mervin Meude
emphasis ( focal point). Through t h e elements and

5
principles that I have seen through this illustration, personally, I would interpret it as a
very strong yet positive canvass because of its colors. With the color of red, for me it means
that there is passion and dedication that the painter wants me to feel and I could also see
a yellow color meaning happiness and positive vibes. As for its lines, it is curvy yet it is
thin meaning it is flowing in a very calm state…”. This artwork of Hernando Ocampo was
also assessed by Ambeth R. Ocampo through the online platform of Philippine Daily
Inquirer. According to Ambeth Ocampo (2013), “with proper lighting, “Genesis” glows
with the intensity of red-hot embers and emanating from its three-dimensional center are
what seem to be claws or tongues of fire reaching out to the viewer”.

Appreciation to this artwork of Hernando Ocampo by the viewers or other artists

maybe similar or maybe different in some aspects. It is based on how they perceive the
artwork with the help of elements and principles of arts or other factors that can
influence them to appreciate or understand it.

Overall, elements and principles of art are a must in learning and comprehending
arts especially Philippine arts. Hence, if you are a student engage to arts or have an
interest to arts, use these elements and principles of arts wisely in creating your unique
and artistic pieces of art.