Elements of

the Visual Arts

Line
Through the lines of a painting
or sculpture, the artist can
make us know what the work is
about.

Lines always have direction.

They are always moving. Lines
as used in any work of art, may
either be straight or curved.
Line
Straight lines move in one
direction only. It may either be
horizontal, vertical, or diagonal.
Horizontal Line
HORIZONTAL LINES are lines of repose and
serenity. They express ideas of calmness and
order. They are normally found in reclining
persons, in landscapes, calm bodies of water
and in the distant meeting of the earth and
sky called horizon.
Vertical Line
VERTICAL LINES are lines poised for action.
They are poised, balanced, forceful and
dynamic. They are normally seen in a person
standing straight, a tall tree, and statues of
saints and heroes to give an impression of
dignity.
Diagonal Line
DIAGONAL LINES suggest action and
movements. They give animation to
composition in which they appear. Almost
every object in action assumes a diagonal
line. A running man makes a diagonal line
with his body and legs. The degree of action is
shown by the angle of the diagonal.
Curved Line
CURVED LINES suggest grace, movement,
flexibility, and joyousness. They are never
harsh or stern since they are formed by a
gradual change in direction.
Three Main Types of Lines

1. Lines which follow or repeat one another

Three Main Types of Lines

2. Lines which contrast with one another

Three Main Types of Lines

3. Transitional lines which modify or soften

the effect of others.
Color
Color is a property of light.
When light goes out, color goes
with it.

The white light of the sun

contains all the colors of the
spectrum: violet, indigo, blue,
green, yellow, orange, and red
Dimensions of Color

HUE
It is the dimension of color that
gives color its name. When we
say that a flower is yellow, we
are naming its hue. Blue, red,
and yellow are the primary hue.
If this primary hues are mixed in
equal parts, the secondary hues
are produced.
Primary and Secondary Colors
Warm and Cool Colors

Red, Orange, Yellow

They are associated with objects like the sun, fire
and other sources of heat. They are called advancing
colors because they have an effect of advancing or
coming towards you.

Red, the color of fire and blood, is the warmest and

most exciting of all colors. Yellow, the color of
light, is the most brilliant, cheerful. Blue, the color
of sky and deep still water, is the coolest and most
peaceful of all colors.
Color Harmonies

Two Kinds of Color Harmonies

1. Related Color Harmonies

They may either be monochromatic or adjacent.
Monochromatic harmony is made up of several tone
of one hue. For instance, orange, tan, and brown are
from the orange family.
Adjacent or neighboring harmonies are two or three
neighboring hues on the color circle. For example,
tones of green, yellow, and orange can produce a
delightful harmony.
Color Harmonies

Two Kinds of Color Harmonies

2. Contrasted Color Harmonies

Colors which lie directly opposite each other in the
color circle are called complementary colors.
Dimensions of Color

INTENSITY
It refers to the brightness or
darkness of color. It gives color
strength. Two colors may be
both blue but one is more
intense than the other.
 Tints
are values above the normal
and

Shades
are values below the normal
Tint
Pink is a tint of red

Shade
Maroon is shade of red
Texture
Texture is the element that
deals more directly with the
sense of touch. It has to do with
the characteristic of surfaces
which can be rough or smooth,
fine or coarse, shiny or dull,
plain or irregular.
Perspective
It deals with the effect of
distance upon the appearance
of objects, by means of which
the eye judges spatial
relationships.
Linear Perspective
It is the representation of an
appearance of distance by means of
converging lines.
Aerial Perspective
It is the representation of a relative
distances of objects by gradations
of tone and color. Objects become
fainter in the distance due to the
effect of the atmosphere.
Space
Interval of measurable distance
between pre-established
points. Space can be limited or
shallow, or extended or deep in
design. Two-dimensional space
has height and width. Three-
dimensional space has height,
width, volume, and time.
Form
It describes the structure or
shape of an object. All the visual
arts are concerned with forms.
Sculpture deals with three-
dimensional forms.
Volume
It refers to the amount of space
occupied in three dimensions. It
therefore refers to solidity or
thickness.
The End