0.4 — Elements and Principles of Art
This chapter summarizes the core visual building blocks (elements) and the ways they are organized (principles). Use it as a checklist when doing formal analysis in later chapters.
Elements of Art
- Line: Contour, gesture, implied line; thick vs. thin; straight vs. curved.
- Shape and Form: Geometric vs. organic; 2D shape vs. 3D form; positive/negative space.
- Color: Hue, value (light/dark), saturation (intensity); warm vs. cool; complementary and analogous schemes.
- Texture: Actual (surface feel) vs. implied (suggested visually).
- Space: Overlap, scale shift, linear perspective, atmospheric perspective, foreshortening.
- Value/Light: Chiaroscuro modeling, highlights, shadows, tenebrism.
Principles of Design
- Balance: Symmetrical, asymmetrical, radial; visual weight distribution.
- Contrast: Light/dark, smooth/rough, large/small, complementary colors.
- Emphasis and Focal Point: Where the eye is led first; use of contrast, placement, isolation.
- Movement and Rhythm: Visual flow; repetition, directional lines, diagonals.
- Pattern and Repetition: Motifs or units recurring across a surface or structure.
- Unity and Variety: Cohesion of parts with enough variation to sustain interest.
- Scale and Proportion: Relative size relationships; human scale; hierarchical proportion.
Definition: Composition
The overall arrangement of elements within the frame—how line, shape, color, light, and space are organized to guide attention and create meaning.
Applying the Toolkit
When analyzing a work, identify 3–5 elements and 2–3 principles that dominate the experience. Ask how each supports the subject or function (devotional focus, political power, narrative clarity, aesthetic delight).
Note: Choose the Most Salient Features
You don’t need to cover every element or principle—prioritize what most strongly shapes the work’s effect.
Looking Ahead
With this foundation, you’re ready to enter the historical survey. Continue to use these terms in every chapter to strengthen your visual analysis.