ARTS 301

ELEMENTS OF ARTS

JANE B.YANGCO,LPT
INSTRUCTOR
 WHAT IS A LINE IN ART
• A line in art is defined as a point moving in space, and it’s one of
the seven elements of art (line, color, shape, form, texture, value,
space).
• It is one of the most crucial elements, as everything begins with
just a simple dot in space, that transforms into lines and then
drawings. Lines are everywhere!
 5 TYPES
OF
LINES IN ART
“MEANING AND EXAMPLES”
Vertical lines are straight up and down lines
that are moving in space without any slant and
are perpendicular to horizontal lines. They
suggest height and strength because they extend
towards the sky and seem unshakeable.

Horizontal lines are straight lines

parallel to the horizon that move from
left to right. They suggest width,
distance, calmness, and stability
Diagonal lines are straight lines that slant in any direction
except horizontal or vertical. When in use, they suggest
movement or lack of stability.

Zigzag lines are a series of diagonal lines joined at ends.

They can convey action and excitement, as well as
restlessness and anxiety.

Curved lines are lines that bend and change direction

gradually. They can be simply wavy or spiral. Such lines
convey the feelings of comfort and ease, as well as
sensual quality as they remind us of the human body.
 How to Get
Variations of Lines in Art
The 5 main types of lines are the beginning of all sorts of amazing and
unique lines! To get more line variations, refer to tools such as length,
width, weight, texture, style, direction, the degree of curve or all of the
above combined.
Length in lines - can be long (tall,
strong, far) or short (small, cute, close).
Width in lines - goes from thin
(delicate, slim, lightweight) to thick
(strength, weight, power)
Weight in lines means the continuous change of width. By
varying the weight, one can capture energy, movement and even
suggest when one object is in front of the other.

Texture in lines defines how smooth or rough it is. Varying it can

simply mean changing your working medium (for example, going
from marker to charcoal or changing your digital brush)

Style of lines refers to continuous, dotted, dashed or implied

lines. Continuous or implied lines are great for leading the eye of
the viewer in the direction you want them to go. Dashed or
dotted lines are great for patterns, energy and calling for
attention.

If we combine all of these variations into one, we

get a unique looking line that serves a purpose
 Types of Lines in Art Defined by Their Use
Another way to combine different lines into types is by the way they are being used in an
artwork. The types of lines are contour lines, continuous line, parallel or cross-hatching lines,
decoration lines, implied lines and gesture lines.
Contour lines are a continuous line that defines the outline
of a shape. They can exist outside and inside a shape, or a figure
and are often referred to as line art.
• Some artists create contour lines by using the same width line,
while others change the width to give more energy and volume
suggestions.
The continuous line is when a drawing is done at one go
without ever lifting it from the page.
• This type of art ends up being very expressive and energetic if
done right, if done not-so-well it can simply end up looking
messy.
Parallel or cross-hatching lines are used to create texture,
volume, shading or patterns.
• They are often used as one at a time and are very effective
during sketching. The more lines there are close together, the
darker the area seems, creating a shadow

Gesture lines are quick continuous lines often used to

represent human form and movement, thus gesture drawing.
• Gesture drawing, which supports the energetic, quick and in-
motion lines type.

Implied lines are lines that aren’t physically present, but

generated by our minds based on other subjects.
• They are a very powerful tool in art and design, as they
guide the viewer’s eyes right where artist wants them
to go
 Functions of Lines in Art and Design
The 5 most common functions of lines in art are: identification, three-
dimensional space, organization, movement, texture.

❖The identification function of a line refers to it’s most basic function of

capturing the essence of the subject. Meaning, our brain is able to identify a few
varying lines put together in a certain way as a human or an object.

❖The three-dimensional function of line is to provide a sense of space.

Variation of a line in tonality, width, weight, focus and intensity is what allows
for the effect to occur.
For example, if an object is far, the tone of the line will be lighter and thinner,
than for the object that is close (darker and thicker)
❖ The organization function of a line refers to the basic underdrawings (or
sketch) for artwork in painting/drawing, as well as separating or grouping
elements on a page in design.
It’s often the stage when one defines the composition of art, where the
foreground, middle ground and background lies, as well as the objects within it.

❖ The movement function of a line refers to guiding the viewer’s eyes in the
desired direction, as well as showing the movement of a subject.
It’s often done through varying line’s width, direction, or using implied lines.

❖ The texture function of a line is using different variations of a line to imply

textures. For example, smooth texture is created with straight or curved
unbroken lines, messy texture can be created by using a different tool, and fur
textures are created with a specific pattern.
 Effective Ways to Use Lines
Before putting down a line, think about what your artwork is all about and
choose accordingly!

❖If creating an energetic work of art, try using curved lines with varying
width and texture!
❖When working on a peaceful work, try the organization function and figure
out big shapes, then use curved waves and minimalism.
❖If working on a piece trying to convey anxiety, try cross-hatching, zig-zags
and diagonal lines.

➢ Understanding lines can be so beneficial for your future work.

 What is Shape in Terms of Art?
A shape is created when a line is enclosed. Shape is one of the seven elements of art and it has
a variety of uses in the creation of art.

Shape can also be defined as a two-dimensional area that is defined by a change in value or
some other form of contrast.

All shapes are two-dimensional,

meaning that they have only
length and width.
Form, another element of art, differs from shape in that forms have
length, width, and height.
 Types of Shapes
All shapes will fall into one of two categories. Shapes are either geometric or
organic
❖Geometric (or Regular) Shapes ❖ Organic (or Freeform) Shapes
Geometric shapes or regular shapes are easy to Organic or freeform shapes
recognize. Usually, math can be used to find are shapes that seem to follow
information about these shapes. Geometric shapes no rules. Organic shapes
generally have a specific name associated with them.
Examples include: circle, triangle, square, and trapezoid.
generally do not have a name
Many man-made objects are made in the form of associated with them and are
geometric shapes. Cell phones, buildings, and wheels typically not man-made. Organic
are all examples of man-made forms that resemble shapes can resemble things that
geometric shapes. we find in nature.
 Drawing and Painting with Shapes

We can easily recognize the chair below

simply based on its shape.

But the shape of this chair is complex. What

if we broke it down into easier shapes and
pieced them together?
 In this case, the chair can be broken down into "easy to
draw" rectangles and trapezoids. After these basic shapes
are drawn with proportion considered, the artist can
then concentrate on the contour lines (outlines). But
since the structure of the object is in place, the contour
lines are more accurate.

The process is the same when drawing organic objects

with basic shapes. Take a look at the drawing of a hand
below. Notice how basic shapes are combined to make
this organic shape.

Here's another example of using shapes to build a

drawing. In this case, a bird is drawn using basic shapes.
First the shapes are drawn lightly and then the contour
lines are added, using the shapes as a guide.
In terms of art, form refers to objects that are 3-Dimensional, or have length,
width, and height. The world we live in made up almost entirely of forms. As
artists, we must have a strong understanding of form and how to create the
illusion of form in drawings and paintings

➢Form is the next step up from shape as we now add depth to it to create a
three dimensional form.
The Definition of Form
➢Form - an element of art, means objects that have three dimensions. I like
to think of form as a 3-D shape
Geometric forms have specific Organic forms do not have specific
names associated with them and names associated with them and are
are typically man-made. often associated with naturally
occurring forms.
 When drawing representationally, the goal is to create the illusion of form. We can create
the illusion of form by understanding how light reacts on the object

Light reacts on objects and is communicated to viewers

through several factors. Adjusting these areas with values of
the local color will result in the illusion of form in a drawing
or painting.

❖The highlight is the area where light is hitting the object

directly.
❖The midtone is the middle value of the local color of the
object.
❖The core shadow is the area(s) that is shaded on the
object.
❖The cast shadow is the area(s) that is shaded on
surrounding objects and surfaces because of blocked light.
 Basic Art Element — Space

Space is a basic art element that refers to the distance between

the area around and within shapes, forms, colors, and lines. Space can
be positive or negative. It includes the background, foreground, and
middle ground. Both positive and negative space can play essential
roles in the overall success of a work of art. By understanding the
difference between the two, you will:

❖Become better at designing unified compositions.

❖Be more successful in visually communicating your story.
❖Gain important clues about the meaning of an art piece.
 Two types of space exist within art
❖ Positive space is the area or part of the composition that an object or
subject occupies. It is usually the main focus of the painting, such as a vase of
flowers, fruit, or candle in a still life, a person’s face in a portrait, or an animal in
a wildlife painting, or a building, trees, and hills in a landscape. When used
skillfully, positive space will add interest by enhancing and balancing the negative
space in a composition.

❖Negative space is that empty or open space that surrounds an object. It helps
define the object, gives it some breathing room to prevent the painting from
being too crowded, and significantly impacts how the art piece is perceived.
An interesting thing about negative space is that it can prompt viewers to seek
out subtly hidden images within the negative space, causing your design to get
more attention and be remembered while other less interesting works aren’t.
 The Uses of Space
There are six ways an artist can create the illusion of space on a
2-Dimensional surface.
Overlapping - occurs when objects
that are closer to the viewer prevent
the view of objects that are behind
them.

Placement on the paper - Objects

placed higher within the picture plane
will appear further away.
Size - Objects that are smaller will appear
further away from the viewer.

Detail - Objects that are further away

should have less detail than objects that are
closer to the viewer.

Color and Value - Objects that are

further away are cooler in color
temperature, while objects that are closer
are warmer. Objects that are further away
are lighter in value, while objects that are
closer are typically darker in value.
 Perspective - Linear perspective is a drawing method that uses lines to create
the illusion of space on a flat surface. There are three types of linear perspective.
Two are displayed on this page.

One point perspective uses one vanishing

point to accomplish this illusion.

Two point perspective uses two vanishing

points to create the illusion of space.
 What is Color?
Color is a basic element of art that involves
light. It is produced when light waves
(wavelength) strike an object and are reflected
into our eyes. Each light wave has a distinct
color. Objects appear to be different colors
because some wavelengths are absorbed while
others are reflected or transmitted. The
wavelengths that are reflected back to our eyes
give us the colors we see.
 Color consists of three properties:

❖ Hue — The name given to a color, such as red, yellow, blue, purple, green, orange, etc.
❖ Intensity (or saturation) — The purity or dullness of a color. A color’s purity is
determined by whether it has been mixed with another hue and, if so, to what extent.
The most vibrant colors are those right from the tube. Colors that have been
combined with various hues are thought to be less intense. To reduce the intensity of a
color, there are two options:
1) Mix the color with gray.
2) Mix the color with its complement.
❖ Value — The lightness or darkness of a color. Adding white or black to a hue changes
its value. A “tint” is created when white is added, while a “shade” is made when black is
added.
Using color effectively in creating art involves understanding three basic areas: the color
wheel, color value, and color schemes (or color harmony.)
 The Color Wheel

The color wheel is a useful visual aid used by artists and interior
designers to understand the relationship between colors. Sir Isaac
Newton developed the color wheel in 1666 when he took the color
spectrum and bent it into a circle. The color wheel is a circular
chart divided into 12 sections, with each sector showing a distinct
color. There are three categories of colors in it: primary, secondary,
and tertiary.The term “tertiary” means third

The primary colors are red, yellow, and blue. These hues
are equally spaced apart on the color wheel. There are only three
primary colors, and they are the most basic colors on the wheel.
They can only be made from natural pigments and cannot be made
by mixing other hues. These three primary colors can be blended to
create any other color on the color wheel.
Secondary colors are orange, green, and purple (or violet). These
colors are created by mixing equal parts of any two primary colors.
❖ Red + yellow = orange
❖ Yellow + blue = green
❖ Blue + red = violet (purple)

Tertiary colors are red-purple, red-orange, blue-green, blue-purple, yellow-green, and yellow-
orange. There are six tertiary colors, and they are the result of mixing equal parts of a primary
color with a secondary color. The proper way to refer to tertiary colors is by listing the
primary color first and then the secondary color. Tertiary colors are called by their two-word
name.
tertiary colors on the color wheel Red + violet (purple) = red-violet (red-purple)
❖ Red + orange = red-orange
❖ Blue + green = blue-green
❖ Blue + violet (purple) = blue-violet (blue-purple)
❖ Yellow + orange = yellow-orange
❖ Yellow + green = yellow-green
 Color Temperature
The temperature of color is how we perceive a particular color, either warm or cool.
Warm colors range from red to yellow on the color wheel, whereas cool colors range
from blue to green and violet.

The characteristics of warm and cool colors include:

Warm Colors
Cool Colors
Warm colors are made with red, orange, or
Cool colors are made with blue, green,
yellow, and combinations of them tend to
or violet, and combinations of them
feel warm, reminding us of heat and
tend to feel cool, reminding us of
sunshine tend to advance into the
water and sky tend to recede into the
foreground, i.e., come toward the viewer
background, i.e., move away from the
may feel more energetic, attention-grabbing,
viewer are more calming and soothing
and aggressive
 Value - The Element of Shadow
The word "value" is used a lot around this site and with good reason. Value
deals with the lightness or darkness of a color. Since we see objects and
understand objects because of how dark or light they are, value is incredible
important to art. (I'll remind you that drawing and painting is about seeing.)
Value deals directly to light. We see things because light reflects off of objects
and goes into our eyes. Our mind processes the light and rationalizes what we
are seeing. Without light, we cannot see anything.

As long as there are dark values in harmony with light values, your artwork will
most likely be aesthetically pleasing. A full range of value means that they are
ample amounts of light values- called tints, and dark values - called shades.
 A good way to see the difference in the values of colors is to look at the
greyscale. White is the lightest value, while black is the darkest. Middle gray
is the value halfway between these two extremes.

Using a value scale, you can be sure that you

create a full range of value. Many artists use
a value scale as they work, identifying specific
values and adding them in appropriate spots.

Take this apple for example...

 If we were to take out all color, we would still see the
apple and recognize it as an apple. In other words, we
are just showing the values of the apple...

If we take this one step further and isolate eight of the values, we can
see where we would need to draw or paint the values...

Using Value in Drawings

The whole point to value is to create the illusion of light. So value is
used to basically create the illusion of highlights and shadows.
Highlights and shadows combine to create the illusion of a light source.
Remember, without light we cannot see. So technically, without a light
source, you have no illusion.
This is why value is mentioned so frequently on all of the art
instruction videos and pages on this website. It's important. If you
understand and implement value correctly in your drawings and
paintings, you will see immediate improvement. Value is essential to
success.
 Value - Terms
Value - Element of art associated with the
darkness or lightness of a color

❖ Light source - area in which light is

originating from
❖ Value scale - a guide to creating a range of
value, good pieces of art have a full range of
value
❖ Tints - light values
❖ Shades - dark values
❖ Highlights - areas on an object where light is
hitting
❖ Shadows- areas on an object where light
does not hit
A texture is usually described as smooth or rough, soft or hard, coarse of
fine, matt or glossy, and etc. Textures might be divided into two categories,
namely, tactile and visual textures. Tactile textures refer to the immediate
tangible feel of a surface. There are four types of texture in art: actual,
simulated, abstract, and invented texture.