The Elements of Art are the building blocks for every work of art created. Each work of art utilizes one or more of these elements to create a successful work of art. Here is a brief description of each of the elements of art!

line!

Line is defined as a moving point. There are a few different kinds of line: organic and geometric. Organic lines are wavy like gravy and geometric lines are sharp and zig zagged with many corners. Line is a cornerstone of many works of art.

shape!

Shape is the various 2-D, flat shapes that are created in various works of art. There are geometric shapes, such as squares, rectangles, triangles, circles, and etc. and there are organic shapes that are harder to define and generally look like various blobs. Shapes are flat, enclosed spaces created in works of art. 

Color!

Color is an essential element of art. It is incorporated into almost every work of art created. Colors are organized into the color wheel, where they are placed into categories. We know these categories as the Primary, Secondary, and Teritiary colors. 

Space!

Space is the element of art that describes where things are located, how the subject relates to the background,  as well as defines the amount of positive and negative space in a work of art. Here, we see positive and negative space, each defining its own image. Here, the negative space is the lighted background that seems to be creating two profiles and the positive space is the black vase in the center, or is it the other way around? 

form!

Form is the element of art that describes the three dimensionality of an object in a work of art. Form uses lights and darks to articulate the highlights and shadows that work together to make something in the work seem to have mass (have weight and take up space). Michelangelo was a master at painting humans with incredible form and muscle tone.

value!

Value is the element of art that describes how light or dark something is. Artists often use shadows and highlights to bring focus to one particular part of an artwork or to show a certain mood.  

texture!

Texture is the element of art that describes the way something looks like it would feel if you touched it. Texture brings detail and life to a work of art as well as contributing to how inviting or repelling a work of art is. Even the way artists apply paint to a canvas creates a certain texture.