Transcript The Language of Art

the language of art
Art is a visual “language,” practiced in every
culture. It has a “vocabulary” and a
“grammar,” and as with language, we can
understand it if we know the words and the
rules for arranging them. In art, the vocabulary
is known as the Elements of Art, and the
grammar as the Principles of Design.
This PowerPoint presentation is a virtual
gallery of artworks by different artists from
different periods whose images will illustrate
how the language of art is used. By visiting
the links in this presentation, you’ll see
artworks that demonstrate each of these
elements and principles and how they work.
You’ll also visit sites that describe the artists
and their lives and work. By taking this “field
trip”, you’ll become more fluent in the
“language” of art.
the elements of art
The Elements of Art are the words the
artist uses, the basic vocabulary of art:
Line, Shape, Form, Value, Color,
Space and Texture.
the principles of design
These are the grammar that governs
art’s vocabulary: Balance, Movement,
Rhythm, Contrast, Emphasis,
Pattern, and Unity
Nude Descending a Staircase, Marcel Duchamp
Starry Night, Vincent Van Gogh
Line defines space, contours and outlines, or suggests mass and volume. It
may be a continuous mark made or implied by the edges of shapes and forms.
Shape is a contour, the outer boundaries of a two-dimensional form. It also
conveys the nature of an object (i.e.: light, heavy, big, small, etc.) and how it
interacts with its surroundings.
Form appears three-dimensional and encloses volumes such as a cube,
sphere, pyramid or cylinder. (This term may also refer to the characteristics of
an artwork’s visual elements -- lines, color, textures, etc. -- as distinguished
from its subject matter.)
Sleeping Woman, Andrew Stevovich
Use these links to explore how line has
been used by different artists in history.
Download, print and paste one image into
your sketchbook and copy just the main lines
of the composition. Write a paragraph
explaining how the line creates shape or
form. List any similarities you see with the
other images.
Bus Stop, Andrew Stevovich
Death of Socrates, Jacques Louis David
Madonna and Child with Saints, Duccio di Buoninsegna
Color is the response of vision to wavelengths of reflected light. It has three
properties, hue, value, and intensity. It is the most subjective of all the
elements.
Value is the degree of lightness or darkness within an artwork. Because distant
objects appear lighter in nature, value can create the illusion of depth.
Space indicates the area between, around or within shapes and forms. (The
areas containing the subject or the objects depicted are called positive space,
as opposed to the background in an artwork which is known as negative
space.)
Texture is an artwork’s actual or implied surface quality: rough or smooth, hard
or soft. It conveys the impression of three-dimensional realism by suggesting
the feel and depth of an object.
Death of Socrates, Jacques Louis David
Woman with Green Stripe, Henri Matisse
Portrait of Young Man, Titian
Use these links to explore how color has been
used in different ways through art history.
Download, print and paste one into your
sketchbook and write a paragraph about the
differences in how the artists used color
(expressive, symbolic or naturalistic?).
What can you tell about the use of value in your
image? How did the artist use light and dark?
Write about the artist’s use of space also. Can you
identify the positive and negative space? Is it deep
.space or is it shallow? How does that effect the
image?
Finally, what can you write about the use of
texture? Does the artist rely on actual or implied
texture? How do you think this affects the impact of
the image on the viewer?
Contrast is extreme differences between
elements such as colors, values, textures,
and shapes. Contrast creates visual
excitement and adds interest.
Movement refers to the arrangement of
parts in an artwork to create a sense of
motion or to direct the viewer’s eye
through the work.
Rhythm is the repetition of visual
movement.
Pattern is the repetition of elements or
combinations of elements in a
recognizable organization. Pattern often
occurs in nature. Pattern increases visual
excitement by enriching surface interest.
Jazmine, Eduard Vuillard
Use these links to explore the work of
three very different artists. Download,
print and paste one into your
sketchbook.
Explain the use of contrast in your
image.
Describe what the artist has done to
create movement.
How did the artist create rhythm?
Which of these three images uses
pattern?
Finally, what is the difference between
rhythm and pattern?
Starry Night, Vincent Van Gogh
Jazmine, Eduard Vuillard
Nude Descending a Staircase, Marcel Duchamp
Emphasis is used by artists to create
dominance and focus in their work. Artists
can emphasize color, value, shapes, or
other art elements to achieve dominance.
Various kinds of contrast can be used to
emphasize a center of interest.
Balance refers to the arrangement of
visual elements to create an equal
distribution of visual weight. There are
three kinds of balance: symmetrical,
asymmetrical and radial (circular).
Unity is related to the sense of wholeness
resulting from the successful combination
of the component elements of an artwork.
Portrait of the Artist’s Mother, George Seurat
Use these links to explore the drawings of
George Seurat (1859-1891). Download, print
and paste one into your sketchbook.
Write a paragraph about how the artist uses
contrast to create emphasis, balance and unity
in the image.
Eden Concert,
Echo,
Concert, George Seurat
Use these links to further explore the Elements of Art and Principles of Design.
The Elements and Principles
http://www.guidancecom.com/alphabet/alphabet.htm
http://psych.hanover.edu/Krantz/art/
Color
http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/tl/20th/fauvism.html
http://www.poynterextra.org/cp/index.html
Art and Artists
http://www.artic.edu/aic/exhibitions/vangogh/slide_intro.html
http://www.andrewstevovich.com/
http://www.moma.org/interactives/exhibitions/2007/seurat/