=Element of Design=

Line:
1. a connection of two points in space
2. an edge
3. one dimension, length

Shape:
1. two dimensional, length and width
2. any area with an inside and an outside

Form: three dimensional, length, width, and depth

Texture: the way something feels by actual touch or by sight.

Value: the lightness or darkness of color

Space: the area around, above, below and within the subject

Color: the way an object appears when light is reflected or emitted by it

primary- red, blue, yellow
secondary- orange, green, violet
intermediate- red-orange, red-violet, blue-green, blue-violet, yellow-organge... etc
tint- any color plus white
shade- any color plus black
tone- any color plus white and black (like value)
warm colors- orange, red, and yellow
cool colors- blue, green, violet
intensity- the brightness or dullness of a color
analogous- colors next to each other on color wheel (ex: red, orange)
complementary- colors opposite on color wheel (ex: yellow, purple)


= Principle of Design=

Balance- an equilibrium within the design area (deals with weight distribution), two kinds:
1 symmetry- weight is equal side to side, items are similar or identical, formal balance.
2.asymmetry- weight is equal side to side, but the items are not the same, informal balance.

Harmony- the similarities between the elements of design

Contrast- the differences between the elements of design; helps to create visual interest

Dominance or Emphasis- the most important element of design in the composition, that which your eyes see first. (Center of interest)

Movement- combining elements to cause the viewers' eyes to travel over the work; the way the artist makes your eyes sweep over the work in a certain manner.

Gradation- combining elements using a series of gradual changes in those elements

Rhythm- repeated elements that create a visual tempo or beat

Proportion- the relationship of certain elements to the whole and to each other

Unity- describes the total effect of the work of art through the effective use of the elements and principles. (summery of how everything works together.)


EXTRA: The Trend of Thinking in Our Art history

1. The Natural Trend: Nature, it is a form of beauty of all kinds, no one denies that; thus it was the standard for ancient calligraphy artists to study, and used to describe many forms of art.

2. The Elemental Trend: Lines, dots, shape, tints, shades and color, those are art element related thinking trend; most of the art teachers today use this trend of thinking to critique

3. Being: The beauty of the artwork is determined by the viewer, its beyond all standards of beauty and ugliness. Being yourself and expressing through your art is the most important thing. (So some go for extreme ugliness, or extreme beauty.)

4. Moral: The beauty of the artwork lies in its moral value, and what it is inspired by.

5. Art that Denies Art: Movements such as Da Da, which challenges and ask people to redefine what art means.

=Reading material=

Beginners read at eatpoo . com: [link]
Improving by John Clapp: [link]