Analyzing our Compositions

In our last class we analyzed the Art pieces you created using the “Check Back Method” to draw the free form line, I gave you in class, as the starting point for your compositions. Every piece was unique, well thought out and creative! As I discussed the Elements and Principles of Art, I was impressed that all of your compositions contained every one of them! Bravo!
Here are the Elements and Principles of Art for you to refer to when you look at the piece of Art you created for this assignment, but most importantly to look differently, with new eyes, whenever you’re creating.
I attached Vincent Van Gogh’s “Starry Night” as another great example of all the “Elements and Principles of Art” in action.
 
ELEMENTS OF ART:

The visual components of color, form, line, shape, space, texture, and value.

Line

An element of art defined by a point moving in space. Line may be two-or three-dimensional, descriptive, implied, or abstract.

Shape

An element of art that is two-dimensional, flat, or limited to height and width.

Form

An element of art that is three-dimensional and encloses volume; includes height, width AND depth (as in a cube, a sphere, a pyramid, or a cylinder). Form may also be free flowing.

Value

The lightness or darkness of tones or colors. White is the lightest value; black is the darkest. The value halfway between these extremes is called middle gray.

Space

An element of art by which positive and negative areas are defined or a sense of depth achieved in a work of art .

Color

An element of art made up of three properties: hue, value, and intensity.

* Hue: name of color

* Value: hue’s lightness and darkness (a color’s value changes when white or black is added)

* Intensity: quality of brightness and purity (high intensity= color is strong and bright; low intensity= color is faint and dull)

Texture

An element of art that refers to the way things feel, or look as if they might feel if touched.

 

PRINCIPLES OF ART:

Balance, emphasis, movement, proportion, rhythm, unity, and variety; the means an artist uses to organize elements within a work of art.

Rhythm

A principle of design that indicates movement, created by the careful placement of repeated elements in a work of art to cause a visual tempo or beat.

Balance

A way of combining elements to add a feeling of equilibrium or stability to a work of art. Major types are symmetrical and asymmetrical.

Emphasis (contrast)

A way of combining elements to stress the differences between those elements.

Proportion

A principle of design that refers to the relationship of certain elements to the whole and to each other.

Gradation

A way of combining elements by using a series of gradual changes in those elements. (large shapes to small shapes, dark hue to light hue, etc)

Harmony

A way of combining similar elements in an artwork to accent their similarities (achieved through use of repetitions and subtle gradual changes)

Variety

A principle of design concerned with diversity or contrast. Variety is achieved by using different shapes, sizes, and/or colors in a work of art.

Movement

A principle of design used to create the look and feeling of action and to guide the viewer’s eye throughout the work of art.

 

* With all of these terms in mind, we will begin drawing the “Still Life”, you designed and photographed in class, for our next project.

 

 

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