Chapter 3: Elements and Organization

Medium is the physical means through which we can come into contact with a work of art;
the elements are its quantities or properties.

Elements are independent of the medium.

Line
• The simplest, most ancient, and most universal means for creating visual art.
• May be straight or curved according to directions.
• May be broad, thin or fine or ragged.
• Straight lines are: horizontal, vertical and diagonal
• Horizontal line implies width, quietude and contemplation and found most often in
landscape.
• Vertical line signifies poise, aspirations, dignity, solemnity and height.
• Diagonal line suggests action and movement. Diagonal lines meeting at sharp angles
form jagged lines that are harsh and unpleasant.
• Jagged Lines suggest confusion, disturbance, quick motion, conflict, violence,
lightning battle, war and sudden death.
• Curved lines are graceful and show life and energy.
• Single curve is a single arc.
• Double Curve turns back itself is an S shape.
• Spiral curved lines is the famous “lines of grace” or “lines of beauty” of Hogarth.
• Lines make shape, emotional expression.
• Describe simple objects, measure things, give directions and boundaries.

Value (Light and Dark)

• Relative degree of lightness and darkness in a graphic work of art or painting.
• Indicates the degree of luminosity (the presence or absence of light)
• White is the highest value; Black the lowest value.
• Halfway between white and black may be classified as light.
• Halfway between medium and black is classified as dark.
• It gives the impression of solidity, distance and illusion of depth.

Light and Shadow (Chiaroscuro)

• Means the modeling a figure in depth, a means of articulating the form.

Form
• The external appearance of a clearly defined area.
• Regular forms are square, circle, rectangle, oval, triangle and lunette.
• Used to describe simple objects and determine the structure of these objects.
• For mechanical purposes, it shows masses that are solid, have volume and are three-
dimensional. It gives meaning and simplifies ideas.
• Forms are: Natural (shapes of the leaves, animals, trees and mountain), abstract,
non-objective or geometric (buildings and pyramids).

Color
• The quality of an object or substance with respect to light reflected by it, and usually
determined visually by measurement of:
o Hue(shades), Saturation (tones) and brightness(Tints).
• Colors – ROYGBIV constitute SPECTRUM
• All colors come from the sun through its light rays.

Texture
• The surface treatment of an artistic work in order to give variety and beauty to any
work of art.
• Sense of sight and sense of touch are involved
• Can be classified as smooth and rough.

Space
• An art element which is concerned with making all parts functional so that all parts of
the work of art will contribute to make the whole a complete work of art.
 • Space exists as an illusion in the graphic presentation like sculpture and architecture.

Properties of Color

Hue
• The particular identity of a color.
• Principal hues are R-Y-B. That are classified as warm and cool colors.
• Red and yellow are warm dominant; Blue are cool color dominant.

Value
• Denote the lightness and darkness of a color.
• Color can be made darker by making the pigments:
o Thicker
o Adding black
o Adding a little of its complement
• Color can be mad lighter by adding water or oil or white.

Intensity
• Denote the brightness and dullness of a color.
• Color differ in intensity or vividness.

Complementary
Colors that are opposite each other on the color wheel are considered to be complementary
colors (example: red and green).

The high contrast of complementary colors creates a vibrant look especially when used at
full saturation. This color scheme must be managed well so it is not jarring.

Complementary colors are tricky to use in large doses, but work well when you want
something to stand out.

Complementary colors are really bad for text.

Analogous
Analogous color schemes use colors that are next to each other on the color wheel. They
usually match well and create serene and comfortable designs.

Analogous color schemes are often found in nature and are harmonious and pleasing to the
eye.

Make sure you have enough contrast when choosing an analogous color scheme.

Choose one color to dominate, a second to support. The third color is used (along with black,
white or gray) as an accent.

Triad
A triadic color scheme uses colors that are evenly spaced around the color wheel.

Triadic color harmonies tend to be quite vibrant, even if you use pale or unsaturated
versions of your hues.

To use a triadic harmony successfully, the colors should be carefully balanced - let one color
dominate and use the two others for accent.
Split-Complementary
The split-complementary color scheme is a variation of the complementary color scheme. In
addition to the base color, it uses the two colors adjacent to its complement.

This color scheme has the same strong visual contrast as the complementary color scheme,
but has less tension.

The split-complimentary color scheme is often a good choice for beginners, because it is
difficult to mess up.

Rectangle (tetradic)
The rectangle or tetradic color scheme uses four colors arranged into two complementary
pairs.

This rich color scheme offers plenty of possibilities for variation.

The tetradic color scheme works best if you let one color be dominant.

You should also pay attention to the balance between warm and cool colors in your design.
Square
The square color scheme is similar to the rectangle, but with all four colors spaced evenly
around the color circle.

The square color scheme works best if you let one color be dominant.

You should also pay attention to the balance between warm and cool colors in your design.

Classification of Colors

Primary colors: R-Y-B (complete the name)

Secondary colors: G-V-O (complete the name)
Intermediate colors: Can be produced by mixing in equal amounts of primary and secondary
colors: Yellow-Orange, Red-Orange, Red-Violet, Blue-Violet, Blue-green and Yellow-green.
Tertiary colors: Can be produced by combining in equal mixture any two secondary colors
such as orange-yellow, violet-green and orange-green.

Black – the darkest and the dullest of all colors. Suggests despair, gloom, death and
mourning.
Blue – the color of the sky and of the deep. Gives the impression of vastness and infinity.
Symbolizes tranquility, calmness and peace.
Gray – combination of color black and white or the three primary colors. It gives the
impression of weight, solidity and neutrality.
Green – the color of still water and vegetation. Symbolizes growth, freshness and hope.
Orange – combination of red and yellow. Symbolizes deliciousness and sweetness.
Pink – combination of red and white symbolizes love.
Red – Symbolizes fire, blood, danger, festivity, bravery, war, passion, energy and warmth.
Violet – mixture of red and blue. Suggests shadows, mourning, penance, royalty and power.
White – The lightest of all colors. Symbolizes simplicity, clarity, purity and peace.
Yellow – color of light. Symbolizes life, joy, sunshine, cheerfulness, warmth, splendor and
hospitality.
Yellow-green – Appropriate color for those with fair complexion. Symbolizes jealousy and
hatred.
Brown – mixture of red and a little of green. The safest color for all. Suggests humility and
confidence.

Color harmony is the correct combination and arrangement of colors so that they will appear
pleasing to the eyes.

Monochromatic harmony employs only one color with its tints and shades. An example is
RED. Harmonizing with it are red, medium red and dark red.

Analogous harmony the use of color which posses one common color in all their mixture.
Uses of the art Elements

Symbols – These are made up of different shades used to depict or symbolizes objects. The
prominent part is represented.

Pictures – The representation of something. Conservative artists represents things exactly as

he sees them in nature while a modernist artist tries to interpret nature as he feels it.

Emotion – expressed by the different elements which symbolizes or suggest feelings:

o Despair
o Mourning
o Hope
o Love
o Passion
o Hate
o Anger
o Fear
o Conflict
o Struggle
o Crying
o Violence
o Kissing
o Laughing

Principles of Design

Design – the proper arrangement of the different art elements in order to produce
something beautiful.

Decorative design is the surface enrichment of as structural design. Principal function is to

enhance beauty called the luxury of the design. Must be simple, moderate and must serve
the purpose of the structural design.

Varieties of Decorative Design

Naturalistic Design – the exact replica of natural form.
Conventional Design – result of the impression of natural form
Geometric Design – produced with the aid of mechanical instruments
Abstract design – uses suggestions of natural objects.

5 Principles of Design
1. Balance – feeling of equality in weight, attention or attraction. Associated with the
Law of Rest.
2. Harmony – most essential of all the principles of design.
3. Proportion – deals with the proper or significant relation bet two things or parts.
4. Rhythm – Its suggests something graceful. Means an easy, connected path along
which the eye may travel in any arrangement of lines, forms or colors.
5. Emphasis – An arrangement may be well balanced, its proportion is good, and its
content in perfect harmony, it may still be dull and uninteresting.