Art as a Language

Art is a language all by itself. In order to better understand art it is divided into the elements of art and the principles of art. A good site for referencing these elements and principles I'll be reviewing here is Project ARTiculate. Also, it is important to note that I do not claim to have made/created ANY of the following images.

Elements of Art

• Line
• Form
• Colour
• Value
• Texture
• Space

Line

Line is important to art as it is the point of moving through space with a single stroke. Line can be complex or it can be simple, regardless it is an element of art that cannot be easily overlooked, and it ties in nicely with the other elements as well. Such as Value.

Form

Form is the idea of depth to a piece that we know is otherwise a flat surface. It is also formed of basic shapes to help create something unique and creative. Also fundamental to the basic elements of art it is similar or a build up of line.

Colour

Colour is made up of the basic hues of red, green and blue, from there all other colours are made. Colour is essential to art as it brings new design and shape to the piece. It can help set mood or create harmony or contrast depending on how it is used. As such this element is important to be understood.

Value

Value is light and dark of a piece. It works closely tied with the lighting of a specific area and can be viewed best in a grayscale painting. It is the contrast that stands out in a painting.

Texture

Texture is the real or implied feel to a painting. Like the feeling of water or rocks having been brought to attention of the viewer and is given more detail in order to help create the desired affect. Texture helps give the image a little bit more shape and the two work closely together.

Space

Space is the relation of area in a piece of art. The example here is the sky takes up a majority of the painting and is viewed as bigger or more well defined then the man in the painting. Space works well with the human concept of perception and we can see depth to a painting or drawing which we are aware does not actually exist.

Principles of Art

• Pattern
• Movement
• Scale
• Balance
• Unity
• Emphasis

Pattern

Rhythm or pattern is repetition in a work of art. It creates a beat or theme that is identical in the piece.

Movement

Movement is the implied movement in a piece of art. Something that doesn't move has the affect that it is moving or about to move.

Scale

The size of pieces of art in relation to other pieces within it. For example a man or box standing nearest to the audience will appear larger while another man or box standing furthest from the audience will be seen as smaller or tiny in relation to the distance between them.

Balance

The evenly distributed areas of a work. It creates a sense of proportion or evenness of the work.

Unity

A work that seems competed or in harmony. It goes well together.

Emphasis

One specific area of the work of art is shown to stand out more and attract the eye of the viewer.

This end my review of the elements and principles of art. Now, hopefully you can understand that art may seem random or odd but in reality it is a language that works together in a way that creates a desired affect.