Functions of Art

o Personal function – varies and highly subjective. The human need for expression. (Ex.
Michelangelo's sculpture of David.
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o Social function – when it addresses a particular collective interest as opposed to a
personal interest. (Ex. Advertisement of diaper which is intended only for mothers
with babies, Political and Ideological Expression, Graphic Communication, Satire,
Artistic Expressions of Humanitarian Concern) Another word, it seeks to influence
the collective behavior of people.
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o Physical function – the easiest to spot and understand. It can be found in artworks that
are crafted to serve some physical purpose. Architecture, crafts such as welding and
woodworking, interior design, and industrial design are all types of art that serve
physical functions.
o Historical function – Art forms serve to record historical figures and events.
o Economic Function – Art can be a source of income.

Sources of Subject
1.Nature - in the broadest sense, is equivalent to the natural world, physical universe,
material world or material universe.
2. People - They are considered the most interesting subject of an artwork which may be
real or
imagined. People as subjects may be presented as individuals or groups.
3. History - It is the depiction of factual events that occurred in the past whose purpose is
either to
remember important events of long ago or to teach the learners about the lessons of the
past.
4. Legends - Artworks based on legends present to viewers of the art something tangible
even when
unverified.
5. Religion - Artists used as inspiration the religious texts as the Bible, Quran and Torah
in conveying their ideas and beliefs through their art works.
6. Mythology - These are sources of subjects that come from the stories of gods and
goddesses of Ancient Greece, Rome, Norse and Egyptians.
7. Dreams and Fantasy - The wonder of the unconscious is what is being expressed by art
works under this subject source.
8. Technology - The modernity of the present is also an inspiration being used by artists
as a source of subject.

Principles of Art
1. Balance – refers to the distribution of the visual elements in view of their placement in
relation to each other. 3 forms of balance:
• Symmetrical – the elements used on one side are reflected on the other
• Asymmetrical – the elements are not the same on each side, putting the heaviness on one
side
• Radial – there is a central point in the composition, around which the elements and
objects are distributed.
2. Scale and Proportion – the size of an object in relation to another or relative to a whole
composition.
• Natural – relates to the realistic size-relations of the visual elements in the artwork.
• Exaggerated – this refers to the unusual size-relation of visual elements
• Idealized – the size-relation of elements achieve the most
ideal size-relation.
3. Emphasis – allows the attention of the viewer to a focal point, accentuating or drawing
attention to these elements or objects.
4. Contrast – the disparity between the elements that figure into the composition. One
object may be made stronger as compared to other objects.
5. Unity – a sense of accord or completeness from the artwork
6. Variety – the principle that aims to retain the interest by allowing patches or areas that
both excite and allow the eye to rest.
7. Harmony – elements or objects achieve a sense of flow and interconnectedness.
8. Movement – refers to the direction of the viewing eye as it goes through the artwork,
often guided by the areas or elements that are emphasized.
9. Rhythm – this is created when an element is repeated, creating implied movement
10. Repetition – the elements may appear in the artwork in a recurring manner
11. Pattern – the image created out of repetition.
 Elements of Art
o Line- it is the path made by a moving point. A series of dots, prolongation of points
and an intended mark made by the artist to convey meaning beyond its physical
description.
Kinds of Lines:
1.Straight Lines – are geometric and impersonal and differ in the direction they
take. They may move from left to right, start from top going down, slant or move up
and down forming angles. Whatever is the direction, each kind indicates a specific
type of emotion.
a) Horizontal lines – move from left to right or vice versa. It is the line that appears to
be laying down
b) Vertical lines – start from the bottom going up or vice versa. It is the line that
appears to be standing
c) Diagonal lines – are slanting lines. In visual art it suggests two meanings, a
positive and negative one. On the positive, it indicates action and movement. On the
negative, it conveys a feeling of uncertainty, stress or defeat.
2. Curved lines – are technically curvilinear lines. These lines are found in nature
particularly in living organisms.

o Color- A property of light, so when the light goes out, color goes with it. It expresses
moods, feelings and personality.
Properties of Color:
1.Hue – the name given to the color, for example: red, green, violet and blue
2.Value – refers to the lightness and darkness of a color.
3.Intensity – denotes the brightness and dullness of a color.

o Shape- In visual arts, a shape is formed when two ends of a line meet
to enclose an area.
Shape vs. Form- Shape refers to 2 dimensions: height and width. Form is refers to
three dimensions: height, width and depth.
Classification of Shapes
1.Natural or organic shapes – are those seen in nature like the shapes of leaves,
animals, mountains, flowers and seashells.
2.Abstract shapes – are those that have little or no resemblance to natural objects
 3. Non-objective or biomorphic shapes – seldom have reference to recognizable
objects, but most often show a similarity to some organic forms.
4. Geometric shapes – are the triangles, rectangles, squares, cylinders, cubes, etc.

o Texture- Refers to the feel or tactile quality of the surface of an object.

Example:
• Rough or smooth
• Fine or coarse
• Polished or dull
• Plain or irregular

o Space- Space is an illusion in the graphic arts. It was created by techniques that adds
depth and distance to two-dimensional art. In sculpture and architecture, space is
actually present.
Positive and Negative Space – this is usually identified with the white space is the
negative space. The positive space on the other hand is the space where shadow is
heavily used.

o Movement- Portrays motion in artworks

2 ways to present motion or movement:
1.Actual movement in art, specifically in sculptures results in kinetic art. Actual
movements may be achieved naturally using wind and water or mechanically through
some energy source (batteries or electricity).
2.Implied movement results when a variety of lines are used together, repeated,
changed in position, or decreased/increased in size. This gives the impression of
movement in a stationary two-dimensional art.