Lesson 2: How Do I Study Art?

: Making Art ( Group 1 2B)

Objectives:
Learn how art communicates colors, symbolic quality of shape, line movement, quality of texture, the drama of lightning,
and many others.
Be able to read design principles behind some effective and thought-provoking art forms and graphic designs.
Explore materials and techniques through firsthand experience.

INTRODUCTION:
Have you ever watched something being made: a time-lapse of a building construction, a short video on how to bake
muffins, a potter spinning his wheel and pulling up clay into the shape of a vase? There is something satisfying in seeing
these processes and how things are created. One can have e clue on the skill set, materials, and methods required to get
the task done.
In the same way, we can all learn to appreciate art by taking time to carefully look at the "ingredients that make up the
different art forms.
This lesson will cover three topics: Elements and Principles, Design Psychology, and Materials and Techniques. These are
meant to help you gain first-hand experience on the creative process and what goes on inside an artistic pursuit.

ABSTRACTION: What’s in a circle? Art Elements and Principles

Elements of art are the formal or tangible aspects of art. These are termed as elements because they are the “medium
of language” of visual arts. The following are art elements:
a. Line - Lines can be expressive and have a quality of its own like: scribbles, whimsical or naïve lines, implied lines,
blurred line (lines that are smudged, shaded or erased), aggressive lines, and calligraphic lines.

b. Shape -- Three basic kinds: geometric, biomorphic, and amorphous. Shapes can also be implied (shapes by the
negative space)

1.
 c. Form- Three-dimensional shape. Can refer to the quality or likeness of an entire mass, let us say, the form of a
woman. It employs several techniques like shading, perspective, and lightning.

d. Value - the lightness and darkness of a hue or a color. Often represented in a tonal value Scale, it has two parts:
the tints (lighter tones) and the shades (darker tones). A tone is a general term for a certain value.

e. Color- Color - also known as hue. Scientifically. it is the light that bounces off a surface. In art we Use subtractive
colors, i.e., colors that are from pigments. Additive colors refer to a property of light.
f. Texture - can be used in paintings like impasto, stamping, and scratching in pottery embossing when making
prints, and many others. Contemporary artists have also used the element of texture to convey a certain
emotion.
g. Light- Without light, all the previous elements will not be possible. Light creates the illusion that color, form, and
texture exist. Light can be implied, natural, or artificial (as with a digital rendition). The lighting of an artwork has
a very strong effect on its overall impact. An example of strong and theatrical lighting is called chiaroscuro.
h. Space - an area where the other elements can interact. Two types: positive and negative space. Double negative
space refers to a blank space used as negative space by, let us say, a field of color or pigment.
Quick Facts: What is representational, abstract, and nonrepresentational art?
Representational simply means it mimics what is real or what can be seen. The image is recognizable as interpreted
by the artist. Abstract on the other hand is a modified interpretation of something that exists, but it becomes hardly
recognizable. Lastly, nonrepresentational art is purely Concerned with forms, shapes colors, and the rest of the
elements. It does not represent any other subject matter outside of itself.

After learning about the elements, let us now study how they interact with each other in some of our favorite art works or designs.
There is a certain appeal to the eyes when something is repeated on the ceiling of a restaurant, like an
undulant installation of wood. The well thought arrangement of colors in an interior makes it appealing to clients.
Principles of Design are long held composition techniques which have been proven and used by both fine
and graphic artists to communicate ideas and concepts effectively. There is a variety of proposed principles but here
are some:
Contrast Design principle which uses the element of value to
create depth and dimension. Light also plays an
important role in creating good contrast.
Elements are related to each other in terms of form,
Harmony
color, theme, etc.
Balance (Symmetrical and Asymmetrical) Aesthetic quality of a work marked by a sensible
balance between two areas: right and left; top and
 bottom.
Rhythm and Movement Creating a sense of direction through repetition of
elements. Movement direct the viewer's eye toward
something.
Unity and Variety Elements should be seen as a whole in unity; variety
still gives a sense of wholeness but the elements differ
in some aspects and provide more interest to the
work.
Emphasis and Subordination An area or a specific subject is given focus; hence other
parts of the picture are subordinated.
Scale and Proportion This can be either an appropriate use of scale and
proportion or it can also be an effective way of
changing the scale to achieve a certain visual goal. It
also shows relationship between the object and the
space.
Depth and Perspective Shows three-dimensionality of a space through the use
of perspective lines and vanishing points.

Psychology in Art
Why include this idea in the study of ad-making? Relating art to how the brain receives and interprets symbols and images
can benefit one's decision in effective composition and visual communication. Art, in a way, is a method of psychology and in
understanding how people perceive images, create meaning and connect those meanings together. In this topic, we now
integrate the "why" of art-making into the previous topics of elements and principles.
Gestalt Theory - this strategy tends to "sum up" an idea into one iconic imagery. It often plays with the negative and
positive space and makes use of both.
This is an example of Gestalt. Since it seems to become a summary of the information that the artist wants to present, this
approach is very effective in making logos. Look up the logo of WWF (World Wildlife Foundation). You will notice the form of the
panda right away. However, upon close examination, the image was actually formed using disconnected shapes and lines. Such is a
principle of Gestalt that communicates the whole as the summation of its parts. If you are more inclined toward math, you can
understand the idea of summation here and probably relate it to aesthetics.

Color Psychology- Colors have imbibed certain meanings. Whether it is social construct or a product of association, these
hues certainly appeal to our understanding of the world based on how they are used. Here are some examples:
White: pure, pristine, Yellow: optimism, Violet: royal, luxury, Black: glamor, integrity,
clean, and neutral confidence, hope, quality, authenticity stability, efficiency,
friendliness status

Blue: Trust, longevity, Red: Strength, power, Gray or silver: Pink: childish, comfort,
formal, logic, calm, reliability, warmth, neutrality, cleanliness, fragrant, friendly, calm,
cool, serene, nature, heat, support, classy, dependable, and innocent
intelligence, and and seriousness sturdy
communication

Compositional function of lines and shapes- A composition is basically how the elements are arranged in space with the
intention of artistic expression. Here are some compositional devices used by classical artist and are still evident these
days:
a. A half circle, often used in domes for some classical paintings and even modern architecture, symbolizes
femininity because of its womb-like shape. Since it has no corners, it also resonates eternity. Socialism is art has
a different connotation for the circle, which states about people’s equality.
b. A triangle, when used in a composition suggests relationship. In Leonardo Da Vinci’s “Madonna of the Rocks” the
triangular arrangement of the figures, with the Madonna at the apex may suggest stability and inclination
toward the central figure.

“Madonna of the Rocks” by Leonardo Da Vinci

c. An implied line or line movement in a painting may intentionally lead a viewer to a focal point of the subject
matter.

“Green Wheat Fields, Auvers” by Vincent van Gogh

Quick Facts:
A medium, like in language, is a tool or the material used in realizing the expression. In visual arts, this is the
term for the materials used in specific types of technique, let us say, dry media for drawing. It can include
pencil, charcoal, or pastels. Watercolor is an example of a wet medium. Non-conventional types may include
mixed media, computer graphics, and even found objects.
1. A design principle that uses the element of value to create depth and dimensions. Contrast
2. Elements are related to each other in terms of form, color, and theme. Harmony
3. Aesthetic quality of a work marked by a sensible balance between two areas: right and left; top and bottom.
Balance
4. Creating a sense of direction through repetition of elements. Rhythm and Movement
5. _______ are long-held composition techniques that have been proven and used by both fine and graphic artists
to communicate ideas and concepts effectively. Principles of Design
6. It shows the three-dimensionality of a space using perspective lines and vanishing points. Depth and perspective
7. It shows a relationship between object and space. Scale and proportion
8. It is an area, or a specific subject is given focus; hence other parts of the pictures are subordinated. Emphasis
and Subordination
9. Elements should be seen as a whole in unity. Unity and Variety
10. This strategy tends to “sum up” an idea into one iconic imagery. Gestalt Theory
11. ______ It is a method of psychology in understanding how people perceive images, create meaning, and connect
those meanings together. Psychology in Art
12. What theory often plays with the negative and positive space and makes use of both? Gestalt Theory
13. _________ Also known as hue. color
14. _________ It is the element that contemporary artists have also used to convey emotions. Texture
15. What do you call a property of light? Additive colors
16. _________ It is an area where the other elements can interact. Space
17. _________ It creates the illusion that color, form, and texture exist. Light
18. __________ These hues certainly appeal to our understanding of the world based on how they are used. Color
psychology
19. __________ Symbolizes femininity because of its womb-like shape. half circle
20. __________ It is basically how the elements are arranged in space with the intention of an artistic expression.
Compositional function of lines and shape
21. __________ When used in a composition suggest relationship. Triangle
22. It is the lightness and darkness of a hue or a color. Value
23. It can be expressive and have a quality of its own. Line
24. Refer to the quality or likeness of an entire mass. Form
25. -28 What are the three (3) basic kinds of shapes? Geometric, biometric, amorphous