Art

AND ITS VISUAL

ELEMENTS
[CONTEMPORARY ARTS]
Art and Its Visual Elements
In order to understand how to describe a
painting or a sculpture, it is important to
comprehend first the visual elements of art.
These visual elements of art are line, color,
shape, space, value, texture, time and motion.
Art and Its Visual Elements
LINE
This refers to a prolongation of a point, or a mark on a
surface. Solid lines can be used in order to define form while
broken lines are typically used to suggest hidden form. Lines
are also used to suggest dimensions, and to guide visual
movement.
Art and Its Visual Elements
The solid diagonal line usually
signifies dynamic action,
The vertical conflict or stress.
line signifies
ambition and
strength.

Broken lines
suggest lines
that are
hidden from
the viewer.
The horizontal line signifies
rest and peace.
Art and Its Visual Elements
SHAPE AND MASS
This element of art refers to an area with boundaries identified or drawn
using lines. A shape may be based on natural or living forms. This shape is
called an organic shape, and can be irregular or rounded. A shape may also
be based on measured forms. This shape, on the other hand, is called
geometric shape. In contrast to shape, which is two-dimensional, mass
refers to solid portions of a three dimensional object.
Art and Its Visual Elements

Organic shapes

Two-dimensional Shapes Three-dimensional Shapes

Art and Its Visual Elements
COLOR
This refers to visual perception that allows a person to
differentiate objects due to the way various wavelengths of light
are reflected. Color is a very important element because it can
communicate information and emotion to the viewer. Color has
three properties, which are as follows:
 Art and Its Visual Elements
COLOR
 Hue, which refers to the basic or pure color, and is
represented in the color wheel.
 Value, which refers to the lightness and darkness of color. A
light color or tint is the result of adding white to a hue, while
a dark color or shade results from adding black to a hue.
 Art and Its Visual Elements
COLOR
 Saturation, which refers to brightness and dullness of color.
It is also referred to as purity of the color. A bright color can
be produced by adding more pigment to the same hue, while
a dull color can be produced by adding gray or the color’s
complement to the pigment.
 Art and Its Visual Elements
COLOR
The color wheel, which is an arrangement of primary, secondary,
and tertiary colors, is an important tool to identify which colors
can work well if used in a certain artwork. Those sets of colors
are referred to as color schemes or color relationships. Some of
these color schemes are discussed below.
The effects of the cross
A. Foolishness to the lost
1. a stumbling block to the Jew
( they needed a political messiah )
2. a foolish idea to the Greek
( a deviation from moral and
philosophical standards )