ELEMENTS AND PRINCIPLES OF ARTS

Line is the path made by moving point.

Kinds of Line
Straight Lines- are geometric and impersonal and
differ in the direction that they take.
Horizontal Line- The move of horizontal line is from
left to right or vice versa.
Vertical Lines- starts from the bottom going up or
vice versa.
Diagonal Lines-These are slanting lines
ZigZag Lines-Angular lines that resulted because of
abrupt change in the direction of a straight line thus
forming angles.
Curved Lines- it forms a wavy line which shows
fluidity.
Colors of Pigment- Combining pigments result in one
What is Color? color cancelling out the brightness of the other.
Composed of a series of wave lengths which strike
the retina of the eyes. It is a property of light

Properties of Color
Hue- term for the pure spectrum colors commonly
referred to by the "color names“, which appear in the
hue circle or rainbow.
Primary Hue- these hues cannot be produced from
combining any hues
Secondary Hue- two primary hues are mixed in equal
amounts
Value- refers to the lightness or darkness of a color
Intensity- Brightness and dullness of a color

Neutral Colors- they do not reflect any distinct colors
Black- absorbs all the colors of the visible spectrum
and reflect none
White-reflects all the colors of the visible spectrum
Grey- Created by partial reflection of all wavelengths
of color
System of Colors
Colors of Light- White light is the combination of red,
blue, and green wavelengths known as bands.
How Colors Relate
One method of establishing color quantity in a
composition is by creating color harmony.
Monochromatic Harmony- It results when a single
color in the composition is varied in intensity and
value by adding white or black.
Complementary Harmony- It results when two colors
that are opposite to each other in the color wheel are
placed side by side.
Analogous Harmony- It results when hues that is
adjacent or beside each other in the color wheel is
used in a composition.
Color Temperature- It refers to the relative warmth
or coolness of the color.
Light and Shadow- Focuses on what is known as
achromatic value. This refers to the changes in the
amount of reflected light which changes from black,
to gray, to white and vice-versa.
Cast Shadows- The shadow on object casts on
another surface by blocking the light.
Shape-It is formed when two ends of a line meet to
enclose an area.
Classifications of Shapes
Natural Shapes-Shapes that can be seen in nature
Abstract Shapes- This are shapes that have a little or
no resemblance to natural objects.
Biomorphic Shapes- This shapes have recognizable
objects, but most often a similarity to some organic
forms.
Geometric Shapes- Are the triangle, rectangles,
squares, cylinders and cubes
Texture- Refers to the feel or tactile quality of the
surface of an object.
Space - illusion in graphic arts; Created by techniques
that adds depth and distance to 2-dimentional art
a. Overlapping planes (interposition) create space
when an object covers a part of another object which
is behind it.
b. Relative size- Objects that appear big indicate
nearness and small ones as distant
Can also be interpreted as power and import
c. Position on the picture plane (relative height)
Spatial representation is based on the position of
objects relative to the bottom of the frame
3 PARTS OF PICTURE PLANE:
1. foreground (bottom) uses warm colors
2. middle ground (where the horizon is)
3. Background (topmost part) uses cool colors
Distance- perceived by the spatial position of objects
on the picture plane
Color- used to give illusion of distance
warm colors- makes look closer
cool colors-makes look farther away
d. Perspective- Deals with effect of distance on the
appearance of objects
1. Linear Perspective- by means of converging
lines and diminishing sizes to show the effect
of space and distance
2. Aerial Perspective (gradient)- effect of
haze, mist or atmosphere on the object
Space in Sculpture- May be considered a singled solid
object or an assemblage of solids that exhibits space
May be perceived as it enters into relations with its
surroundings
Space in Architecture- physical and fundamental
Closed space- for protection with enclosing
Open space- Steel-skeleton framework ; open
by the shape, position, and the materials
Movement- Time implies change and movement;
movement and time, whether actual or an illusion,
are crucial elements of art.
Actual Movement- May be achieved naturally using
wind and water or mechanically through some
energy source.
Implied Movement- Results when variety of lines is
used together, repeated, change in position, or
decreased and increased in size.
The Artist and His Medium
Kinds of Artists
Visual Artists- use the visual arts for the venue of
expression
Pablo Ruiz Picasso- Spanish painter, sculptor,
printmaker, ceramicist, stage designer, poet and
playwright who spent most of his adult life in France.
Weeping Woman
Creative Artists- more adept at writing words and
arranging musical notes to entice the imagination
and evoke emotions.
William Shakespeare- was an English poet,
playwright and actor, widely regarded as the greatest
writer in the English language and the world's
greatest dramatist. "Bard of Avon; Romeo and Juliet
Performing Artists- express their art through
execution in front of an audience
Lea Salonga; Miss Saigon is a musical by Claude-
Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil
Medium- Refers to the materials that an artist uses to
communicate his ideas, feelings and imagination.
Arts Based On It's Medium
Visual arts- Art form that can be perceived by the
eyes and its medium are those materials that can be
seen and occupy space.
Graphic or Two Dimensional Arts
Plastic or Three Dimensional Arts
Auditory or Time Arts- The medium for this art
classification are those that the viewers can hear and
which are express in time
Combined Arts- The medium for these art forms are
those that the viewers can see and hear which
consider time and space
The Process of Art Production
The Medium- guided by standards of a responsible
artist
The Technique- artist’s knowledge on the medium
and skill
Curation- latin word curare to take care
managing a presentation for some artistic collection
"Cities on the Move: Contemporary Asian Art on the
Turn of the 21st Century"
PAINTING
ART SUBJECT DEFINED
The subject of art refers to what the work represents.
It could be a person, an object, a scene or an event.
Representational or objective arts - artworks that
have subjects
Non-representational/non-objective arts – artworks
that do not have subjects. It does not present
descriptions, stories or references to identifiable
objects or symbols
SOURCES SUBJECT
Unique personalities and experiences are factors that
determine the kind or type of subject
Nature- This is the most popular source of objective
art
People- Human subjects, whether real or imagined
are the most interesting. How people are depicted
can offer clues to the artists’ thoughts, moods and the
genre the art work is presenting
History- Historical art works depict real events which
are verifiable facts that occurred in the past.
Legends- Artworks are based on legends present to
viewers of the art something tangible even when
unverified. ART BRINGS LIFE TO THE STORIES
Religion- Artworks are based on the sacred texts.
Many artworks used the beautiful stories in these
sacred texts to convey their beliefs. ART IS A
HANDMAID OF RELIGION
Mythology- Artworks are based on the stories of the
gods and goddesses of Ancient Greece, Rome, Celts,
Norse and the Egyptians
Dreams and Fantasy -The intrigue of the unconscious
also inspires artists to present it through art for
others to see, relate and interpret.
Technology- The modern era with its tall buildings
and amazing machines are also subject matter for the
art
WAYS OF PRESENTING SUBJECT
Naturalism- Greek art, gods and heroes; more
universal characteristics of the human form as is
accepted by the culture of the day.
Realism- Depicts the artist’s attempt of portraying
the subject as it is. The artist main function is to
describe accurately what is observed through the
senses.
Abstraction- “to move away or to separate from”;
moves away from showing things as they really are.
The art work is not realistic.
a. Distortion – the subject is in misshaped
condition.
b. Elongation – the subject is lengthened for
protraction or extension.
c. Mangling – subjects are either cut,
lacerated, mutilated or hacked.
d. Cubism – subjects are shown in geometrical
shapes.
Symbolism- The presentation of an invisible sign
such as an idea or a quality into something visible
Fauvism- Themes are either ethical, philosophical or
psychological; Subjects express comfort, joy or
happiness; used bright colors
Dadaism- Came from the French word dada which
means “hobby horse”; doesn’t follow the traditions
and principles in art.
Futurism- capture speed and force of modern
industrial society and to glorify mechanical energy of
modern life.
Surrealism - from super realism; attempt to show
man’s inner mind and how he may perceive his
outside world; subconscious mind; violent
Expressionism - man needs spiritual rebirth for him
to correct defects that ruin the society; depicts the
emotions aroused by objects and events. Subjects
presented involve chaos, sadness, tragedy, and defeat
GRAPHIC OR TWO DIMENSIONAL ART
DRAWING – this is the fundamental skill needed in
the visual arts. These are different media for
drawing:
1. Pencils- This is made of graphite which comes in
different hardness from soft to hard or thickness
from thick to needle-like, making possible a wide
range of values. There some shading techniques that
will result on beautiful drawing.
a. Hatching-Is drawing series of thin parallel
lines that run in the same direction.
b. Cross-Hatching- Is drawing series of thin
parallel lines and criss-crossing it with
another set of thin parallel lines. This creates
a tone that is darker than hatching.
c. Stippling- Is using the sharp point of the
pencil to make dot patterns to create depth in
some parts of the drawing
d. Blending - Is at times accomplished by
using the finger or paper stump to gradually
change the tone from dark to light.
2. Ink – one of the oldest material for drawing that is
still in use. Ink is used in making beautiful
handwritings produced in calligraphy which in itself
is an art.
3. Pastel – this is composed of dry pigment held
together by a gumbinder and compressed into sticks.
a. Stippling- Is using pastel of different colors
to produce small marks, thus, creating
pattern.
b. Feathering - Is using the point of the pastel
to make parallel strokes creating a feather-
like effect.
c. Scumbling - Is like layering but using pastel.
The side of the pastel is lightly drawn on top
of an existing color but still making the color
of the first layer visible.
d. Impasto - Is the technique of thickly
applying the pastel by pressing it hard on the
paper creating an opaque effect.
e. Sgrafitto - Is applying a thick deposit of
pastel on the support then using a blunt pen,
scrapes it off to reveal the underlying color
and create the design. Works beautifully for
oil pastel.
4. Charcoal – this is an organic medium that comes flat surface (plane). Serigraphy & silkscreen
from burnt wood. Compressed or manufactured from painting
loose charcoal; vine easy to erase

5. Paper – this the most common surface used in two

dimensional art. Paper is an organic material made
from wood, grass and linen rags.

PAINTING – it is the process of applying paint onto a

flat surface mixed with binder

Different media:
1. Watercolor – the pigments are mixed with
water and applied to paper. layering

2. Gouache – pigment has been mixed with

water and added with a chalk-like material to
give an opaque effect.

3. Oil paints – the pigments are mixed with oil

as its binder.

4. Tempera – the pigments are mixed with

egg yolk as binder. Sometimes gum or glue is
used in place of egg. The ideal surface of
tempera as wood

5. Fresco – pigment is mixed water and

applied on a portion of the wall with wet
plaster. It is use for mural painting.

6. Acrylic – this is a modern medium of

synthetic paint using acrylic emulsion as
binder

MOSAIC – are wall or floor decorations made of small

tiles or irregularly cut pieces of colored stones called
tesserae.

COLLAGE –French ‘coller’ to stick; by gluing or

pasting on a firm support materials or found
subjects; Picasso & braque

PRINTMAKING – process used for making

reproductions of graphic works. It allows for the
repeated transfer of a master image from a printing
plate [matrix] onto a surface. Printmaking may use
any of the following techniques:

1. Relief Printing (Raised) – oldest method of

printmaking. It involves cutting away certain
parts of the surface.

2. Intaglio Printing (Depressed) – This

technique is the opposite of relief printing.

3. Surface Printing (Flat) – this includes all

processes in which printing is done from a