Line ( a Dot That Went for a Walk Paul Klee)

ELEMENTS OF DESIGN

Line ( “A dot that went for a walk”—Paul Klee)

A line is defined as a mark with length and direction, created by a point that moves across a surface. A line have five characteristics: length, width, attitude/direction, curvature, and texture. All works of art have linear aspects. Lines may express emotions, like excitement and help distinguish the features of objects. There are three types of lines: 1. Actual line: The form of line drawn by pen, pencil, or other implement. It may be straight or curved; 2. Implied line: Not a proper line, but an aid that pushes the eye along the artwork (e.g., a dotted line on road); 3. Psychic line: This form of line has no physical value; it is a psychologically created line (e.g., when pointing to something, the eye travels from the hand to that object as if on a line).

Shape/Form

A flat figure, shape is created when or lines continuous line, actual or implied, meet to surround a space. A change in color or shading can define a shape. Shapes are two-dimensional, flat objects. Form is a three-dimensional object or a shape that has the appearance of being three-dimensional. Forms have three related qualities: mass, volume and void. Mass is the perception of filled or solid space inside a shape and can be real or implied. Mass conveys a sense of weight and density as well as contour. Volume is the “feeling” of filled space within a three-dimensional form. Void is a negative quality. It is the shapes, forms or spaces within a work of art that express “”empty space” or exterior volume. Shapes or forms can be divided into several types, including: geometric (square, triangle, circle) and organic (irregular in outline). Size can create shape: for example a dot enlarged may become a circle.

Space is the empty or open area between, around, above, below, or within objects. Shapes and forms are made by the space around and within them. Space is often called three-dimensional or two- dimensional. Positive space is the interior of a shape or form. Negative space surrounds a shape or form. ELEMENTS OF DESIGN

Space is absolute necessary to all works or art because other elements are composed and developed within it Space has no meaning until its limits are determined and its existence use. Ways artists create an Illusion of space (depth) are: 1. Visual Elements (the basic things that can be seen); 2. Design and Composition Principles (arranging the basic things better) and 3. Visual Effects (ways to fool the eye - make an impression)

Texture

Texture is the way a surface feels (actual, true or tactile texture) or how it may look (implied, false or visual texture). Textures are described by word such as rough, silky, or pebbly.

Color is the perceived character of a surface according to the wavelength of light reflected from it. Color has four qualities: hue (another word for color, indicated by its name such as red or yellow), value (its lightness or darkness), intensity (its brightness or dullness) and temperature (the warm or cool quality in its appearance). Color is completely separate from the other elements of design and can be understood only through the sense of sight. All knowledge about color is theory. When color is produced directly with rays of light, light theory applies. The primary colors of light theory are yellow, magenta and cyan (a blue color). Where color is produced indirectly by reflected light from solid particles (pigment), pigment theory is applied. The primary colors of pigment theory are red, yellow and blue. A diagram called the color wheel is very useful In understanding and visualizing relationships between colors and color families. ELEMENTS OF DESIGN

Two primary colors when mixed create a secondary color. A primary and a secondary color when mixed create a tertiary color. Colors that are opposite one another on the color wheel are complementary colors. Colors that are next to one another on the color wheel are analogous colors. When complementary colors are mixed together, they create grayed or neutral colors.

A single hue or color from the color wheel can have many different and distinct levels of value. Value is the lightness and darkness of a color. It may also be referred to as tone. Adding white to a color creates a tint. Adding black to a color creates a shade. Using the shades and tints of one color in a work of art is called a monochromatic color palette. A color scheme of blacks, whites and grays is referred to as acromatic. It is important to note that pure colors of the color wheel can have different values themselves. For example, bright violet is darker than bright red, etc. Using a tool called a value-finder can be useful when working with color. Value can add interest, movement and weight to a shape.