Elements of Art

Your last unit we studied a number of different techniques for seeing and drawing the surroundings. In this unit we will study the organization of your composition to create a well designed art work. Some artist have natural sense of design, but they don't now how they tell good design from bad - the just can. This unit will give you a chance to consciously think about design and composition. It will give you the vocabulary to articulate your thoughts about composition and it will give you the understanding of what good design is all about.

There are elements of art to help the artist with his or her creations. Composition is the orderly and purposeful arrangement of the design elements you choose.

The elements of art include the following:

line - the handwriting of the artist
shape - the area within a closed line or edge. We recognize objects by their shape.
form - deals with three-dimensional objects having height, width, and depth
space - the area that gives the eye a rest. Space underscores and emphasizes areas.
texture - the way things feel. Texture lends a warmth and excitement to the work and activates surfaces
pattern - a series of repeated elements of design
color - enriches our world and our art. It is highly personal for each artist.