Elements

of the
Visual
Arts
Objectives:
To identify the elements of
visual arts, and
To appreciate visual arts in
terms of its elements.
Group Activity: Brainstorming

Looking at the
Elements
What are the elements
that consist visual arts?
 Subject
Representation of the Idea

People
Nature
Event
Concept
Medium
 Line

One uses lines to represent figures and forms

Lines always have direction, always moving
 There are certain emotional states
that always find expressions through
definite positions.

o Straight lines ideas of steadiness and

force, may either be horizontal, vertical,
diagonal
Horizontal lines of repose and serenity,
calmness, tranquility
 Vertical lines- lines poised for
action. They are balanced, forceful and
dynamic.
Diagonal lines suggest action and
movement. They give animation.
 Color
3 dimensions of color
a. Hue
b. Value
c. Intensity
Hue is the dimension of color that
gives color its name. (primary,
secondary, intermediate)
 Warm hues tend to impart
warmth to any composition in which
they are used. They are conspicuous,
cheerful, stimulating, vivacious,
joyous and exciting. They are
suggestive of instinctive action. They
are called advancing colors because
they have an effect of advancing or
coming towards you.
Warm hues
 Cool colors are those where
blue predominates. They cause
surfaces covered with them to
appear to recede. They suggest
distance. They are calm, sober,
restful and inconspicuous.
Cool colors
Color Wheel
 There are two kinds of color harmonies:
1. Related color harmonies may either be
monochromatic or adjacent. Adjacent
harmony is used when two or three
neighboring hues are combined together.
They have something in common.
2. Contrasted color harmonies are colors
which lie opposite each other in the color
circle.
 Value refers to the lightness or
darkness of a color.
Intensity refers to the brightness or
dullness of a color.
It gives color strength. When a hue is in
its vivid form, it is said to be in full
intensity. When it is dulled, it is said to be
neutralized. The more black or white is
added, the weaker is the intensity.
Intensity
 Texture

It has to do with the characteristic surfaces

which can be rough or smooth, fine or
coarse, shiny or dull, plain or irregular.
It adds richness or vitality.
It is an illusion. One must make an object
look like the way it would feel when one
touches it.
Texture
 Perspective

It deals with the effect of distance

upon the appearance of objects, by
means of which the eye judges
spatial relationships.
It enables us to perceive distance and
to see the position of objects in
space.
Linear perspective representation of
appearance of distance by means of
converging lines
Aerial perspective representation of
relative distances of objects by
gradations of tone and color
 Form
It applies to the over-all design of a work of
art. It describes the structure or shape of an
object.
 Volume

It refers to the amount of space

occupied in three dimensions.
It refers to solidity or thickness.
We perceive volume in two ways: by
outlines or by shape of objects and by
surface lights and shadows.
Volume
Space