9.2: Elements of Design in Review
- Page ID
- 344525
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)To effectively use design principles in composition arrangement, it is important to first revisit the foundational visual elements of art and understand their role in drawing composition. These elements allow artists to express ideas, emotions, and narratives visually appealingly. By understanding how each element contributes to the composition, artists can create artwork that engages viewers on multiple levels. Therefore, let us briefly revisit the visual elements of art and explore how they can be utilized in a drawing composition to achieve desired aesthetic and communicative outcomes.
• Line: In art, a line is a path traced by a moving point, and it can vary in length, width, direction, and character. Lines are used in drawing composition to define shapes, create structure, convey movement, and evoke emotion. They can be straight, curved, jagged, or organic, and their placement and direction influence the composition's dynamics and mood.
• Shape: Shape refers to the two-dimensional area enclosed by lines or boundaries. Shapes can be geometric (e.g., circles, squares) or organic (e.g., irregular forms found in nature). In drawing composition, shapes are used to establish the layout and balance of the artwork. They can be arranged to create patterns, convey symbolism, or define subjects and objects within the composition.
• Form: Form relates to the three-dimensional aspect of objects and refers to their volume, depth, and mass. Forms are created through light and shadow, suggesting the illusion of solidity and space on a two-dimensional surface. In drawing composition, artists render forms to convey a sense of volume and depth, bringing realism and dimensionality to their artworks..
• Texture: Texture refers to the surface quality of objects, representing their tactile characteristics such as smoothness, roughness, or graininess. Texture is often implied in drawing composition through various mark-making techniques, such as hatching, stippling, or cross-hatching. Texture adds richness and complexity to surfaces, enhancing realism, creating visual interest, and conveying the material qualities of depicted objects.
• Value: Value pertains to the relative lightness or darkness of tones within an artwork. It is achieved through the manipulation of contrast and shading. In drawing composition, value creates depth, volume, and form. Artists employ light and shadow to establish focal points, convey mood and atmosphere, and enhance the overall visual impact of their artworks.
• Color: Color is derived from the reflection of light and is perceived by the human eye. It encompasses hue (the specific color), saturation (the intensity of the color), and value (the lightness or darkness of the color). In drawing composition, color evokes emotion, conveys symbolism, and establishes mood and atmosphere. Artists select and combine colors strategically to create harmonious or contrasting effects, enhancing their artworks' visual appeal and communicative power.
• Space: In art, space refers to the area or distance between, around, above, below, or within objects. It can be positive (occupied by objects) and negative (empty or background space). Space in drawing composition creates depth, perspective, and spatial relationships between elements. Artists manipulate space through overlapping, size variation, and atmospheric perspective to convey a sense of distance and dimensionality.