Art Vocabulary

Elements of art: These are the very basic part of art. If you took all art and broke it down into it’s simplest form you would have the elements. Elements are to visual art as letters are to words. There are 7.

Principles of design: These are the rules that govern how artists organize the elements. They help the artist to create special effects in the art work.

Composition – how the principles of design are used to organize the elements

Elements of Art:

• “Let’s see some color TV Friday.”

• Line• Shape• Space• Color • Texture• Value• Form

Principles of Design

How the elements are arranged

List the Principles of Design

1. Variety2. Contrast3. Balance4. Emphasis5. Repetition

6. Rhythm7. Pattern8. Movement9. Unity10.Proportion

Variety

• When there are many different types of elements used in a work of art

Contrast

• Elements that are opposites of each other are used together

Balance• When a work of art looks like it is visually weighted

evenly

Emphasis

• When the artist uses elements to draw attention to a particular area

Repetition• When an

element is used over and over

Rhythm

• When elements are arranged to have a visual look of a musical beat

Pattern

• When elements are repeated to create a particular order

Movement

• When the artist’s arrangement of elements cause the viewers eyes to travel through an artwork

Unity• The elements are arranged so that the piece fits

together

Proportion• The elements are arranged in sizes that work together