Elements of painting, printmaking, photography,

graphics artOr how we talk about images

on a flat surface

What is it?A two-dimensional object

Rejects representation Does not try to represent

the “real” Iconic – symbol of the real Techniques to unveil the

process

Accepts representation Tries to imitate the “real” Tries to be three-

dimensional Techniques to fool the eye

How is it done?

How the elements are used And put together describe the composition of the

piece

Elements of painting/design

1. Line 2. Form 3. Color 4. Space 5. Texture

Use of basic elements in composition

1. Repetition 2. Balance 3. Unity 4. Focal area 5. Perspective 6. Chiaroscuro 7. Dynamics

The composition of a piece helps us construct meaning in and for the

artwork.

Line Real line – actual line on the surface Implied line – suggested line through color, shape,

boundaries of objects Painterly line – more implied than real Linear – more actual line than implied

Line is used to control our eye, create unity and balance, help construct meaning

Form

Shape of object (as a result of the use of line) Shape of parts of composition Triangle, square, circle, and so on

Color

Hue – pure color (red, blue,….) Value – amount of black or white in color Intensity – degree of purity of color

Space

Illusion of three dimensions

Texture

Implied – suggested roughness or smoothness of objects in the composition

Real – what it would feel like if you touched it

How those elements are used to create the image….

Repetition

The repetition of line, color, shapesRepeat the element in a consistent patternRepeat the element in a variation of the pattern Juxtapose elements in a pattern

Balance

SymmetricalBilateral if divided the same on both sides

AsymmetricalPlacement of unlike terms

Unity

Completeness within the frame (closed composition)

Incomplete; viewer’s attention drawn outside the composition (open composition)

Use of color, line, shape to pull the objects together

Focal Area

Where one’s attention is drawnCan have more than one focal area

Perspective

Making a two-dimensional object into the illusion of three-dimensional

Linear (1-point) perspectiveConverging line to achieve the sense of distance

Aerial perspectiveColor, detail, size to create sense of distance

Chiaroscuro

Contrasts of light and dark

Dynamics

How lively or stable/stolid does the picture seem?

Subject matter

Continuum

From real (representation) to nonobjective (iconic)

Our knowledge of the history of the use of elements also contributes to the

meaning of the object.