The Elements of Art and Principles of Design
By John W. Healy

Elements of Art
The elements of art are the building blocks of an artistic creation, a "visual language" or "visual alphabet" used by the artist.

1. Line – a continuous mark made on a surface
2. Shape – two-dimensional (circle, square, rectangle, triangle) and encloses space
3. Form – three-dimensional and encloses and takes up space
4. Color – that which is perceived when light hits and reflects off an object. Three properties of color are Hue (name of a color), Intensity (strength of a color) and Value (lightness or darkness of a color)
5. Texture – the surface quality or feel of an object
6. Space – the illusion of space is created through light and shadow

Principles of Design
The ways in which the Elements of Art are organized are referred to as the Principles of Design.

1. Rhythm and Movement – the visual flow through a work of art, incorporating repetition
2. Balance – symmetry and asymmetry
3. Proportion – large next to small
4. Variety – the use of different or contrasting elements to add interest
5. Emphasis – used to make something stand out, like dark next to light
6. Unity – how all the aspects of a work of art work together

See John W. Healy's "Art Curriculum that Works" column to discover which Elements of Art and Principles of Design are utilized in the following art lessons Bringing Art Home, The Art of Simple Machines, The Art of Chess, The Art of Animals and A Light in the Night.

Dr. John W. Healy teaches art at Woodland Middle School, East Meadow, NY.

August/September 2006, Vol.37, No. 1