Boot Camp: Elements of Art

The Language of Art

**Art is a visual language**

The elements and principles of art are like the

nouns and verbs

They are the

basic building blocks
of art

So what are these elements?

Shape

Line
The path of a moving
point through space

Different Types of Lines

5 basic types:
Vertical: moves up and down
Horizontal: moves side to side
Diagonal: slanted (between vertical
and horizontal)
Zigzag: changes direction suddenly
(sharp angles)
Curved: changes direction gradually

Line Variation
5 variation in appearances:
Length: can be long or short
Thickness: can be thick on thin
Texture: rough or smooth
Direction: move vertical, horizontal,
diagonal
Degree of curve: curve gradual, be
wavy or form
spirals

Compare the movement

created by the direction
of the lines each figure
makes.

Line Movement
Static
Horizontal and Vertical

Active
Diagonal, Curvy and Zigzag

Horizontal: peace, rest, stability

Vertical:
stiffness,
formality,
poise

Diagonal:
Instability,
tension, activity,
excitement

Zigzag: confusion,
excitement, nervousness

Curved:
hypnotic,
mysterious,
active
(depending on
how much
curve)

Expressive
Line
Qualities
Expressive
Qualities
of
Horizontal: peace, rest, stability
Line
Vertical: stiffness,
formality, poise

Diagonal:
Instability,
tension, activity,
excitement

Zigzag: confusion,
excitement,
nervousness

Curved: hypnotic,
mysterious,
activity
(depending on
how much curve

Expressive Line Exercise:

Find a journal spread the has just a
background or you can start a new
one
Try to match the type of music I play
Use different drawing media
Use different line types use line
variation
See what you get!

Or, create a new journal spread that uses line as a

dominant element
Take a pic for your drive and name it Journal Line

Shape
A two-dimensional
area that is defined in
some way

Form
A three-dimensional
object

SHAPES
A shape may have an outline or a boundary
around it.
Or you may recognize it by its area.
For example:

Square

or

Square

Geometric Shapes
have precise,
measurable boundaries
which can be defined
mathematically

Free-Form Shapes

Irregular and uneven shapes.

Their outlines may be curved, angular, or a
combination of both.
They most often occur in nature.
Also known as organic shapes.

What about Form?

Objects
having three
dimensions:
Length,
Width and
Depth

Geometric and Free Form

Forms can be geometric and organic like shapes.
Organic

Geometric
Shape

Shape

Form
Form

To turn a shape to a form:

Draw it in perspective if it is geometric

To turn a shape to a form:

Add some shading especially if its freeform