ART

The elements
of Art.
The elements of art enable us to describe what an artist
has done to analyse an artwork and to communicate our
thoughts and findings using a common language.
Elements of
art - line
Lines are marked with greater length than width and
span a distance between two points. Lines can be
horizontal, vertical or diagonal, straight or curved, thick
or thin.
Elements of
art- shape and
form
Shape refers to two dimensional
flat closed line. Shapes can be
geometrics such as squares, circles
and triangles or organics such as
freeform or natural shapes. Form
refers to three dimensional shapes,
which have perceived volume
length, width and depth. Example,
spheres, pyramids, cubes and
cylinders.
Elements of
Art - Space
Space is the area between
and around objects. The
space around objects is
often called negative
space. Space may also refer
to the feeling of depth and
is mostly three
dimensional.
ELEMENTS OF
ART - VALUE
Value is the degree of lightness and
darkness of a colour. The difference
in value is called contrast. Value
may relate to shades where a colour
gets darker by adding black to it or
tints where colour gets lighter by
adding white to it.
Elements of art
- Colour
colour has three properties Hue( the name of
the colour, red, green, blue) Value (how light
or dark it is) and intensity (how bright or dull
it is). Primary colours (Red, blue and yellow)
Are the only true colours. All other colours
are mixed by using primary colours.
Secondary colours (Green, orange violet)
Result from mixing two primary colours.
Intermediate colours or tertiary colours are
made by mixing a primary and a secondary
colours, complementary colours are opposite
sides of the colour wheel.
Elements of
art - Texture
Texture refers to surface quality
and describes how something
looks or feels. Example rough,
smooth, soft, hard, bumpy textures
do not always feel the way they
look.
The principles
of design
Balance refers to the visual weight of the
elements in the composition. Balance can be
achieved in 3 ways, symmetry, both sides of a
composition have the same elements in the
same position as in a mirror image or the sides
of a face. Asymmetry, the composition is
balanced owing to the contrast of all the
elements of art. There is no central middle line,
and so it lacks symmetry and radial symmetry
elements are equally spaced around a central
point. For example, the spokes of a wheel.
Contrast
Contrast refers to the difference
between the elements of art in a
composition. Certain elements may
be emphasised more in relation to
others. When placed next to each
other, contrasting elements
command the viewer's attention.
Positive and negative space are
examples of contrast, as is
complementary colours placed side
by side. Contrast works hand in hand
with emphasis.
Emphasis
Emphasis is created with a
visually dominant area in the
composition that commands the
viewer's attention. This is often
achieved by contrast.
Movement
Refers to how the viewer's
eyes move around in the
artwork, diagonal or curvy
lines, edges and repetition
creates a sense of movement.
Rhythm
Rhythm is created by
movement implies
through the repetition of
elements of art in a non-
uniform, yet organised
matter. It is related to
rhythm and music, unlike
pattern, which demands
consistency, rhythm relies
on variety.
Pattern
Pattern is the uniform repetition of any of the
elements of art or combination of it. Anything can be
turned into a pattern through repetition. Patterns
include spirals and grids
Unity
Unity and variety and artwork is Unified
when all the elements fit together
comfortably. Too much unity creates
monotony. Too much variety creates
chaos.
Variety

Variety shows contrast, there's no end in

variety in nature and man-made things.
The meaning
of flowers
The beautiful flowers in Ophelia are not
simply decorative. Many were chosen for
their symbolism. The poppy is the
symbol for death.

The pansy
symbolises love in
vain or unrequited
The simple daisy
love.
stands for innocence

Rich Violet symbolises

faithfulness and early
death.
Create in 2D -
Paint
When you paint, you apply a medium (paint) to a
background or solid surface, such as paper,
canvas, wood or walls. The paint could be oil,
water, acrylic, gouache or pigment.

Usually, brushes or other implements such as

sponges or spatulas are used. Paintings may be
representational, such as a still life or landscape,
photographic, abstract, symbolic or expressive.
 Paint

Acrylic - fast drying and Watercolour - is fast drying Gouache - is fast drying,
applied by diluting it with and applied by diluting it water based paint, applied
water. Acrylic paint with water. Watercolours are by diluting it with water. It
becomes water resistant usually applied in creates a heavier and more
when dry and can be transparent layers, gradually opaque result than
applied to various surfaces building tone and depth. It watercolour. It is applied in
can be applied to canvas but
such as wood, canvas and layers and can be used on
is mostly used on special
paper. paper, wood or canvas
watercolour paper.
Looking at art

Fine art - Visual arts are created to stimulate a

visual experience. Includes painting, drawing,
sculpting, printmaking and photography.

Decorative art - Can be described as functional

art. Technique based. Includes ceramics,
jewellery design, metal crafting, glass art and
mosaic art.
Defining art
Representation - The primary definition of art
refers to the representation of something
beautiful and meaningful. The purpose of art
was to replicate nature; to show off and to
capture its beauty on canvas.
Expression - Artists ideals changed and they
began to look at art not only as representing
something, but also as a way of expressing
ideas, personal values and emotions.
Form - Form is the shape, visual appearance
of an object. The principles of design - with
terms such as balance, rhythm, pattern and
unity were used to define and assess art.
 various aspects used to
Is any work which projects
analyse a work of art. These
The elements include line, shape, form, Relief
form but belongs to the wall,
of art space, value, colour and
or other types of background
surface
texture

The basic means a artist uses

to organise the visual A scale model/rough draft of
The principles elements in an artwork. These
Maquette
an envisioned sculpture; a
of design include balance, contrast, prototype or preliminary
emphasis, movement, pattern, model or sketch
rhythm and unity

a substance made of pulped

Is unattached to the
paper and glue, or layers of
Free-standing background and has space on
paper mache paper glued and pressed
sculpture all sides. Can be viewed from
together. It is moulded when
all sides.
wet to form various shapes
Create in 3D -
Construction
Sculpture - Various methods are used to
create sculptures. These traditionally
included carving and modelling. Artist
began using more materials and processes,
such as welding, moulding and casting.

There are two types of sculptures - free -

standing statues and a relief which is partly
attached to a background surface and is
moulded or carved in such a way that it
stands out from the surface, creating a 3D
image.
Resistance art
as heritage.
What is resistance art? It is a form of art that
emerged in South Africa in the mid 1970s after
Soweto uprising that focused on resisting
apartheid and celebrating African strength
and unity. The art produced by resistance
artist during the time made heart hitting
critical commentaries. and Reflections on
apartheid exploring racial clarification, conflict
and abuse. By the 1980s these artists produced
numerous political works taking up brush and
paints as weapons against the oppression.
 A painting or drawing of an
A symbolic artwork typically is
arrangement of objects that
Still life does not move or is dead. Vanitas
still life, which portrays the
brevity of the life and the
Example. books bowls
certainty of death.
jewellery.

A painting technique
A period in the history of the
characterised by deliberate
Netherlands during the Dutch
visible and loose brush strokes.
The Dutch Science, Arts, trade and
Painterly It is also described as a painting
Golden Age military expertise were among
done in a style that embraces
the most acclaimed in the
shows and celebrates the paint
world.
medium in which it is created.

A style of European art, music

The art of arranging type to
Baroque and architecture of the 17th
Typography. make a written language
and 18th centuries
appealing, legible or impactful.
characterised by ornate detail.
still life
The dutch
golden age
The Dutch Golden Age was a period of great cultural and economic prosperity in the Netherlands during the
17th century, when the newly independent Dutch Republic emerged as a leading power in Europe. Art was
one of the most flourishing aspects of this era, as Dutch painters developed a distinctive style of realism,
genre painting, landscape, and still life that reflected the values and interests of the Dutch people 12.
Some of the main characteristics of Dutch Golden Age painting are:
A focus on secular subjects, such as scenes from everyday life, portraits, landscapes, and still lifes, rather
than religious or mythological themes.
A preference for naturalism and realism, with attention to detail, light, and color, and often using optical
devices such as the camera obscura to achieve accurate perspective and proportions.
A diversity of genres and subgenres, such as history painting, group portraits, merry company scenes,
breakfast pieces, vanitas, floral still lifes, and animal paintings, each with its own conventions and
symbolism.
A high degree of specialization and regional variation, as painters tended to concentrate on one or a few
genres and developed their own styles and techniques, influenced by their local environment and market.
A large and varied output, as the demand for art was stimulated by the growth of the middle class, the
expansion of trade and commerce, and the patronage of wealthy merchants, nobles, and institutions.
Dutch still-life
painting
Vanitas
Printmaking
Print making is the process of creating an autistic
impression on a single original surface by any
method, and then transferring it to another surface
such as paper. Printmaking in this sense is a
creative process and not a photographic
reproduction. Impressions are the result of
printmaking and are usually done on paper and
occasionally on fabric. The paper used is extremely
important for the final quality of the artwork and
involves highly specialised print paper. One such
example is Hosho paper, Which is a traditional high
quality plant based strong and absorbent paper of
Japanese origin. The paper used should be strong,
textured and absorbent, as the printmaking
process may require printing on the same piece of
paper more than once. The pressure of the print
process should not compromise the structure of
the paper.
Printmaking
Etching - This ancient technique is similar to drawing,
making it a favourite method in printmaking. A metal
plate such as iron or copper is coated with a waxy
substance called a ground. Print makers work in either

methods
soft or hard ground. The arts then draws out the desired
design or composition with a stylus to expose the metal.
The metal plate is then emerged in an acid bath with
Intaglio - images incised into a couple zinc plate with a exposed metal is chemically dissolved. The remaining.
pointed tool. The plate is then covered with ink and waxy ground is removed and the metal plate inked and
wiped clean so only the incise grooved contains ink. A wiped clean a sheets of dampened paper is placed on
dampened sheet of paper is placed on the metal sheets the metal sheets and put through a press where the ink
and put through a press which implies pressure to is transferred.
create the print The paper sheet is usually larger than
the metal plate so the physical embryos of the plate
edges or the plate mark shows on the paper.
 Printmaking
Engraving - A so called a burin is used to mark or incise
a copper plate. This tool is available in various sizes and
resembles a chisel. The Burin Is moved across the plate,
methods
forcing copper shavings on either side of the lines being
created. The artist has great control over the burin Dry point - A sharp tool similar to a needle is used to
Creating deep or fine lines that. is however, a very slow scratch a design or drawing into a metal plate. This
process and takes patience. allows for freedom of the lines varying from hairline
markings to heavy incisions. The ragged edges or burr is
not scraped away and adds to the charm of the final
print. Ink is applied and wiped away to remain in the
scratched up design. A dampened sheets of papers
placed on the metal sheet and pressed into a press.
Printmaking
Monotypes - A monarch type is a unique single print
taken from a design created by using paint or ink on a
smooth surface such as gloss or metal. The entire
surface is often inked and thereafter brushes or rags are

methods
used to remove the ink to create lighter areas.

Relief printing - Under relief printing, we get different

techniques such as Linocut, woodcut and wood
engraving. A composition or design is drawn on a block
of suitable material, such as wood, special tools are used
to remove pieces of the material, leaving a raised area.
Once the design is ready, a roller is used to apply ink to
the raised surface an The images then transferred to
prepared paper. The paper can be either rubbed or
pressed by hand, or it can be pressed in a printing press.
 Printmaking
methods
Monoprints - Mono printing is a form of printmaking
where the impression can only be made once, unlike
most printmaking, which allows for multiple originals.
An impression is printed from a reprintable block. It is
then enhanced with unique hand painted editions or
even collage elements. This method allows for
interesting combination of printmaking, painting and
drawing.
Culture
What is culture? The dictionary defines culture as
customs and civilization of a particular time of people
and intellectual and artistic achievement or expression.

High culture involves the appreciation of high art, a

term that includes literature, performing arts, music and
visual arts. High culture refers to paintings or cinema by
the Masters, classical music or dance and writing.
Although it has been criticised as elitist And catering
only to the educated urban wealthy class efforts have
been made to involve the general public in expeditions
or concerts that featured high culture. Governments of
various countries also promoted by funding museums
and libraries and subsidising theatres or music groups.
High culture is sometimes also defined as taste under
which we find etiquette Appreciation of fine food and
wine etc.
Culture
Low culture is a term used for some varieties of popular
culture, and is viewed as the opposite of high culture.
Examples of low culture or pulp fiction, popular music
and dance. Low culture is also another term for popular
culture. This could include things such as gossip
magazines or talk shows, sports like rugby or cricket,
music and books that are currently bestsellers, or even
take away food.

Popular culture the word. popular when used in law and

politics means low, vulgar and of common people It was
not until the latter part of the 18th century that the word
gained the positive connotation it has today Pop culture
is related to all those activities that are popular or
common. popular culture is also often defined as mass
culture, which is commercially driven mass produced
and meant for mass consumption. It also best reflects
the tastes and fashions of majority at a certain time. It is
frequently viewed as superficial driven driven by
consumerism, corrupted and sensationalists.
pop art

Pop art is art based on modern popular culture and

includes different styles of painting and sculpture
inspired by mass media mass production and mass
culture. Pop art originated in Britain after World War
Two and was greatly influenced by the consumer culture
of the nineteen fifties and the nineteen sixties Pop art
had a sense of optimism and lightheartedness, often
challenging and mocking the autistic establishment. As
the pop art movement grew, it took on a more American
flavour with prominent artists such as Jasper Johns and
Robert Rostensberg.
Puppets
Rod puppets - are constructed using rods made of wire,
steel, wood or plastic, which are attached to the neck
and/or hands of a puppet and manipulated by a
puppeteer moving the rods in the desired direction.

Hand-rod puppets - Works in the same way as an

ordinary rod puppet, except that the puppeteer uses his
one hand to move the puppet's mouth, while his other
hand manipulates rods attached to the puppet's arms.

Live-hand puppets - very similar to hand-rod puppets,

exept that the puppeteers hands become the puppets
hand, making it possible to pick up objects or play a
musical instrument.

Shadow puppets - similiar to rod puppets, except they

are flat with moveable joints that can be animated by
hand, using rods connected to the puppet. The puppets
are manipulated between a source of light and a screen,
which casts a shadow on the screen.
Puppets
String puppets - are suspended and controlled by
strings attached to a control bar and can be quite
difficult to manipulate.

Ventriloquist's dummies - is a puppet shaped like a

human or animal and used by ventriloquist's in their
acts. They are called dummies, because they can't speak
on their own.
Life drawing
A life drawing is a sketch of the human form using any
drawing media. It is a drawing of the human figure from
the observation of a live, typically nude, model.

Materials
pencil - graphite (the softer the lead , the faster the
pencil tends to get blunt, but the greater the tonal
range produced) +Charcoal pencil (produces a deep
black colour which is easy to blend, but not erase. It
smudges easily) + Carbon pencil (made from a
mixture of clay and lamp black and produces a deep
black colour which is easy to blend, but not to erase)
Sharpeners and erasers - Pencils must be sharp to
function efficiently, and a good quality eraser is as
important.
Paper - most drawing media, especially charcoal
pencils, work better on textured paper. The size of the
paper depends on the life drawing you intend to
create. White paper can become very harsh while
warmer, more yellow-tones paper or a light grey is
more user-friendly.
Life drawing - technique
Graduated tone - use a soft dark pencil (B or 2B) for
the area you want to shade. Start by applying a fair
amount of pressure to create the dark tones. Work
towards the light and gradually ease the pressure off
your pencil, keeping the tonal changes as smooth as
possible.
Blending - use your finger or a blending tool to blend
different shades together. Use various pencils and
shade the desired area with the darkest pencil first
Hatching - is a very effective technique and used to
add texture and value to drawings.
Stippling - is the process of making small dots to
create an illusion of light and shadow.
Smudging - creates softer, more blurry shadows and
is done by smudging markings with paper, a blending
tool or fingers.
Anatomical life drawing
a successful life drawing is associated with
a strong knowledge of the human
anatomy. The skeletal structure of the
human body willdetermine the shape and
the textures that are visible.