Section introduction
What is art for?
Topics in this section:
The elements of art and design are the basis for the visual arts. By studying the elements, we can comprehend, describe, and articulate a visual experience.
LINE: a path of a moving point made by a tool, instrument, or medium as it moves across an area. A line is usually made visible because of its contrast in value with its surroundings. Three-dimensional lines may be made using string, wire, tubes, solid rods, and the like. Line is a compositional tool that initiates an intuitive reaction to what is presented.
SHAPE: an area that stands out from its surroundings because of a defined or implied boundary or because of differences of value, color, or texture.
VALUE: the characteristic of color determined by its lightness or darkness, or the quantity of light reflected by the color.
TEXTURE: an element, texture is the surface quality or “feel” of an object, its smoothness, roughness, softness, etc. Textures can be actual or simulated. Actual textures can be felt with the fingers, while simulated textures are visually suggested by an artist when drawing things like drapery, metal, rocks, hair, etc.
COLOR: the character of a surface that is the result of the response of vision to the wavelength of light reflected from that surface. An optical response to wavelengths of light and color through the physical understanding of hue.
How do we utilize the elements of art and design in a unique and successful manner to create art. Let’s look at concepts like composition aesthetics, and gestalt.
COMPOSITION
What does Composition mean in art?
Composition is how different elements of an artwork are combined. It is the arrangement of elements within a work of art. The artist uses composition to arrange the subject and object of the image in a way to engage a viewer or provide a visually compelling scene.
There can be rules for a “good composition” depending on schools and genres. Formulas and basic principles can be used to design a rich composition however rules in art are not easily defined. Classical artists worked with triangular or pyramid leading lines created a sense of balance and geometry in their composition. Ancient Greek artists strive for perfection and devised a plan to segment their canvas into eight sections to create a balanced composition. Another technique focused on mathematics is the golden ratio.
Composition in Art explained:
AESTHETICS
Aesthetics is branch of philosophy that deals with the nature of beauty and taste, as well as the philosophy of art. It examines aesthetic values, often expressed through judgments of taste. It is concerned with the nature of art and the concepts in terms of which individual works of art are interpreted and evaluated.
Aesthetics, what good is it?
SUBJECTIVITY
The philosopher Immanuel Kant attempted to critique notions of beauty and taste, eventually concluding with the common saying, that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. How do you decide what is beautiful, what is your artistic preference?
Can you answer these questions:
What is beauty?
What makes something beautiful?
What is art?
Is there a difference between good art and bad art?
Who is qualified to decide if art is good or bad?
When it boils down to attraction, it would be impossible to agree on one definition of beautiful or art. Are there limits on what art is or can be? If you don’t like something does that mean, it is not art? If a work of art sells for a lot of money, does that guarantee it is good?
Aesthetic appreciation
GESTALT
What is gestalt?
Gestalt theory is about perception, the hole is more than the sum of its parts. It describes our ability to recognize patterns, make associations, group objects that are close together and a larger unit, and relate objects of similar shape. It is based on the idea that the human brain can simplify and organize complex images or designs. Our minds see structure and patterns to help us understand our environment.
6 Principles of gestalt:
Similarity: group things together
Continuation: eyes will follow the smoothest path
Closure: mind’s eye will fill in missing parts
Proximity: how close elements are to each other
Figure/ground: the way brains process negative space
Symmetry or order: seeing ambiguous shapes as simply as possible
Designers Guide to Gestalt Theory, by Sam Hampton-Smith
For more practice and instruction:
PROKO – a resource for artists to get good art instruction videos.
Cristina Teaching Art: drawing guides
University of Oxford: Introduction to the Elements