ELEMENTS AND PRINCIPLES OF

ART

Lesson
Introduction

Test

INTRODUCTION

Name: Kelsey Poorman

Subject: Arts- Visual Arts
Grade Level: Grade 1
Standard: Creative Expression and Communication
Benchmark: Use the elements and principles of art
as a means to express ideas, emotions and
experiences.
Indicators:
Identify visual art elements and principles using art
vocabulary.
Use selected art elements and principles to express a
personal response to the world.

LESSON
o

What are the elements and principles of art?

The elements and principles of art are building

blocks for all visual art.
Knowing the elements and principles of design
provides students with the necessary vocabulary to
effectively analyze and discuss artwork.

THE ELEMENTS
Form

The underlying
structure or composition
in a work of art.

The shape or outline

of something in three
dimensions.

Line

The path traced by a

moving point.
o

Can be implied.

Varying widths; heavy,

thin

THE ELEMENTS
Color

Shape

The general outline of

something.

Geometric:

Secondary: Orange, Purple

& Green

Organic:

Primary: Red, Yellow & Blue

Tint/shade

THE ELEMENTS
Texture

The qualities of a surface.

Can be actual or implied

Soft or rough

Space

Created by the merging,

touching and intersecting
of lines.
Actual space- two or three
dimensional
Pictorial space- flat surface
of the paper, canvas or
other material. Also known
as picture plane.
Positive/negative

THE PRINCIPLES
Balance
The arrangement of a
composition. When the
eye is attracted equally
to the various imaginary
axes of a composition.

Unity
The arrangement of
elements into a unified
whole or oneness in a
composition.

Rhythm, balance and

proportion help establish
unity.

THE PRINCIPLES
Proportion
The size relationships
within a composition.

Rhythm
Controlled movements
Beat and flow

TEST
Question 1

What are the art elements?

Space
Texture

Balance

Color

Rhythm

Shape

Unity

Form

Proportion

Line

TEST
Question 2

What element or principle is

strongest in this artwork?

Line

Texture
Unity

TEST
Question 3

What are the primary colors?

Green
Purple
Yellow
Red

White

Yellow

Red

Blue

Blue

Next Question

Next Question

You Passed The Test Congratulations!

Resources

Resources:
Hurwitz, D. & Day, M. (2007). Children and their art:
Methods for the elementary school. California: Thomson Wadsworth

Ohio Department of Education. Retrieved March 1, 2008 from

http://www.ode.state.oh.us/GD/Templates/Pages/ODE/ODE
DefaultPage.aspx?page=1.
For more on the elements and principles visit: Arts Connected.Org