Line

- Lines are used to define and divide shapes

- If used across a shape, these can give the illusion of volume or texture
- Can be used to point towards a direction and lead the eye across an artwork
- Horizontal lines portray stability and serenity.
- Vertical lines give of an impression of strength and confidence.
- Diagonal lines imply action and movement.
- Curved lines are a result of a gradual change in the lines direction. This portrays grace and
fluid movement.
- Abrupt changes in the lines direction can result in a feeling of chaos or confusion.
Color
- A series of different wavelengths from light. A single ray of light contains the colors red,
orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet
- Any object contains a quality called pigmentation, which allows it to absorb and reflect
specific colors.
- Objects that do not have any color only differ in the quantity of light they can reflect. These
are called neutrals and can fall into black, white or gray.
Physical Properties of Color
Hue
- This is the quality that gives a color its name. The colors in the spectrum are called hues.
Value
- This refers to how dark or light the color is.
-Adding black to a color results in a shade while adding white results in a tint
Intensity
- Refers to the strength of the colors hue.
- If other colors are reflected the initial color will appear duller
- If the colors are completely balanced then the resulting color will be a gray
- Colors may be formed by mixing two or more colors. The three primary colors, red, blue
and yellow, are the only colors that cannot be formed by mixing other colors.
- Colors that are formed from mixing two primary colors are called secondary colors
- Colors that are formed by mixing primary and secondary colors are called intermediate
colors
- There is no limit to the number of intermediate colors that can be formed because the results
are dependent on how much of a particular color is in the mixture.
Color Diagram/Wheel

- The colors that are opposite each other in the color wheel are called complimentary colors
and result in the best contrast and harmony if they are mixed with equal value and intensity
Uses of Color
- Colors are primarily used as symbolism or to convey a particular mood.
Texture
- Refers to how objects feel according to our sense of touch.
- Architects and sculptors must be aware of how different materials look or feel.
- Painters must create an illusion so that the objects look as is if we could feel them.
Volume
- Refers to the solidity and thickness of objects.
- For architects and sculptors, the primary concern is to make sure that the work is
presentable from any viewpoint since these occupy real space.
- For flat, 2 dimensional art, volume is achieved through the use of light and shadow.
Perspective
A technique used to display depth or distance in flat artwork.
Linear perspective
- Objects become smaller as they move farther away from the viewer.
- Parallel lines converge towards a vanishing point which is determined by the viewers eye
level
Foreshortening
- The more an object is placed at right angles to the viewer, the shorter the object appears
Aerial perspective
- Objects that are farther away appear fainter due to the effects of the atmosphere
Form
- The over-all design and composition of an artwork.
- Basic shapes such as a triangle, rectangle and circle are frequently used.
- A closed form refers to a composition where the eye is kept within the form by its elements.
- An open form leads the eye outside of the artwork and makes it appear as if there is action
beyond the frame.