ART APPRECIATION

UNIT 2 - VOCABULARY OF ART

Elements of Art
For understanding any art, we need to have a basic structure. The Basic structure
comprises of the;
> Components of Art

> Elements of Art

> Principles of Design

> Underlying concepts

Taking a closer look at the elements of art; what are the principles of art ? What are
the elements of art and what are the basic principles of design, what are the
components of art?.
All these together needs to form the unity i.e orderliness and oneness in any art
medium. Let us take a closer look at the Elements of art, Principles of Design;
these together form the Components of art. All these together need to be in unity
forming the order/ Oneness in art.

COMPONENTS OF ART:
> Subject
> Form
> Content

ELEMENTS OF ART:
> Value
> Colour
> Line
> Shape
> Mass
> Texture

PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN:
> Harmony
> Emphasis
> Proportion
> Balance
> Economy
> Rhythm
> Variety

Let us study in detail about the various elements of art;

VARIOUS VISUAL ELEMENTS OF ART:

LINE:

This is a very basic thing. A line is an identifiable path of a point moving in space.
It can vary in width, direction and length. There are various types of lines as well
all know, that we use in our daily lives and art and architecture as well. Horizontal,
Vertical, Diagonal, Zig Zag and curved lines. This is an example of the diagonal
line, the eyeline of these kids are shown. This is the curved line, you can see which
is incorporated in this painting. The vertical line in this element, the zigzag line
and the diagonal line.

This is an artwork by Piet Mondrian, the Broadway Boogie Woogie. You can see
the use of vertical and horizontal lines that form the interesting shapes of various
sizes as you can see.

Let us have a look at the basic shapes, the geometric and the Organic shapes. The
square, rectangle, hexagon, triangle as we are very familiar with, right from age old
days. This is an example by Piet Mondrian as he is known for the composition
using basic forms, these are the examples of basic forms and the organic shape
used in this painting by Kandinsky

Let us have a short exercise with whatever you have gone through till now.
EXERCISE 1
Taking a closer look into the spiral designs on this page. They were created using
only straight lines. So, we can see how interesting shapes can be made using just
lines, try creating an interesting pattern using the spiral design. Can you figure out
a way to create a spiral design using only straight lines? Create a 3-dimensional
work by just using lines not planes, just lines. The wireframe structure would be
your result, make it interesting.

> Propose a 3d work using just the geometric shapes.

> Propose a 3d work using just the organic shapes.

VALUE:
What is a value? The tones formed from lighter to darker form the value. The
opposite of this, forms the shades.
How value could be created?
Looking this image of the sheep by Henry Moore, The degree of line concentration
indicates the value of the subject; wherever the line concentration is more, the
depth of the subject is seen and thus, the shape is formed.

LINE DEFINING SHAPE, TEXTURE, SHADOWS

This is an imaginary product of the artist, Giovanni Battista. In this image, you can
see the play of light, the textures and the shape of various objects. The artist has
created this, by the simple use of pencils. You can see the interesting use of lines
and the varied diagonal, the horizontal diagonal and the zig zag patterns of the line
and the play of light. If it weren't for the play of light, this picture wouldn't be that
interesting. Though this is a product of artist's imagination, the objects are depicted
objectively, with line used to define shapes, textures and shadows.

SHAPE

This is a famous picture by Claude Monet, the Water lilies by Claude Monet. He
was more interested in effect of light on this image, defines the shape, the shape of
the lilies and leaves here, is defined by the use of light.
TEXTURE:

Texture is clearly defined in this particular image, especially in the center you can
see the play of textures and probably a comb like structure must have been used to
produce designs like this in between, thus creating an interesting pattern.

Texture can be seen as Actual Texture and Visual Texture. What is Actual
Texture? In art, Actual texture is what you see and feel in reality. For instance; an
object made of fur, we all know the texture of a fur, in that way we could feel it,
this is an ivory mask by an unknown artist, we all know the texture of ivory.
Hence, by looking at the images, we can feel the exact texture of ivory and this is
Olive tree by Van Gogh, by looking at the texture of the painting, we could feel the
texture of this, it means that we are feeling the texture of the painting. As of this,
we are feeling the texture of the fur, the texture of ivory in this.

What are visual textures? In this picture, various vegetables are represented to form
this portrait, the onion, radish, tomatoes etc, we all know the textures of these
objects, hence, visually we are able to feel the texture. That is what Visual texture
is. A dirty leaf, probably a pencil sketch of a dirty leaf, by the title and by looking
at the painting, you can imagine and feel how a dirty leaf could be probably felt.
From this image of the portrait, by use of light, we are able to feel the texture of
the cloth.

COLOUR:

Color in the elements, play a vital role in art. As we all know, the Blue-Red-
Yellow forms primary colours and the Violet -Orange-Green form the secondary
colours and thus, the evolution of tertiary colours like Red - Violet, Red - Orange,
Blue - violet, Yellow - Orange, Blue - Green, Yellow - Green are formed. Let us
see how colors play a vital role in this particular picture. This painting had made
vital use of warm and cold colors. As we all know, warm colors consist of red,
orange, yellow and cool colors contain lighter shades of blue, green, grey etc. The
use of warm and cool colours makes the fruit advance and recede rather than
merely indicating a change in value. The cool colours are used for the background
and for the cloth. The warm colours are used for the fruits and the basket, enhances
the fruits. Thus, making the fruit advance and recede, rather than nearly indicating
a change in the value.

In this picture, the colors have played a vital role in a way such that, cool colours
have been used for the foreground and the warm colours have been used for the
background, enhancing the backdrop area, which is usually a reversal in general
paintings. Paul Gauguin has helped reverse the spatial effect and making it
shallow, the foreground that would normally advance has been painted in cool
colours to make it recede. Instead, the background advances because of its warm
Reds.

SPACE:

The space in this picture, this is an image of an early Dutch landscape painting by
Jacob van Ruisdael, aiming at maximum illusion of visual reality, emphasized the
concept of infinite space. We can see the diminishing effects of landscapes and
actually feel the space in this particular painting. Thus, the perspective moves wide
and the and the atmosphere and the sky, and the landscapes have been portrayed so
beautifully, that we could actually feel the space.

Principles of Design

The principles of design constitute

> Harmony
> Variety
> Balance
> Emphasis
> Rhythm
> Proportion
> Economy

UNITY:
The Unity in an image is achieved when the elements of the image work together
to produce harmony, completeness, and a sense of order. Unity can be achieved
through various elements, such as in the combination of similar colours, lines,
shapes, etc. Having a closer look at this image, similar shapes have been used;
though the shapes are not exactly definable, similar shapes, colours and a grid
based composition establishes unity in this painting.

HARMONY:

Harmony may be thought of as a factor of cohesion relating to various picture

parts. In this picture, the artist has created, Harmony by using repeated curves of
varied sizes and he has made it interesting by showing the varied shapes of these
curves and by varying the curves. Thus, creating harmony in this picture.

RHYTHM:

One attribute to repetition is its ability to produce, Rhythm.

In this picture, the forward movement of these people represent rhythm. The whole
picture by itself, it formed in rhythmical movement. Here you can see a clear
sketch of the rhythmic people in line, the whole picture by itself is composed in a
rhythmic pattern, like not just the people moving here but even the person with
hats, even this forms a rhythmical movement.
A continuous movement is suggested as the Zapatistas. In passing, these figures
form a repetitive beat as their shapes leaning in the same direction, create a
rhythmic order.

VARIETY:

Variety is the counter weight of harmony. It is the other side of organisation

essential to utility. In this picture, the artist has pushed the balance strongly in the
direction of variety, in this 3d work, various shapes and sizes, the objects have
been placed and the other important thing is the light that has been placed right
above this, It defines the shape even more and with a greater reflection, it provides
enduring vitality.

BALANCE:

In art, there is balance when the parts of an image have the same visual weight and
it can be classified into;

> Symmetrical Balance

> Asymmetrical Balance

> Radial Balance

CONTROLLED BALANCE AND TENSION

Having a closer look into the image, the artist has created a tension between the
two persons standing in the foreground and number 1 on the wall, creates a tension
between them. These forces together support one another. The darker values of the
building above are counterbalanced with that on the left hand building and with
that of the person standing in the front.

SYMMETRICAL BALANCE:

A symmetrical balanced image displays a portion on one side of the format that is
repeated on the other side. One should be very careful in forming a symmetrical
balanced art, such that it should not be monotonous or a boring composition since
both the sides have the same image or the same format. Looking into this example,
the twin sisters by Eric, this image is balanced vertically. The image on one side is
replicated on the other side but the monotonicity of this image is broken by those
intricate details that are given here.

APPROXIMATE SYMMETRICAL BALANCE:

The usual or general boring qualities in a symmetrical art work could be modified
in this with minor deviations. In this picture which is, vertically symmetrical, the
monotonicity is broken by the lively figures beneath.

RADIAL BALANCE:

Radial balance revolves around a real or imaginary central point. There is

frequently a divergence, from some source. (Usually from central).

Here the rays seem divergent from the central point, which is imaginary in this.
The rays are widely placed and while moving, the rays become closer, thus,
creating an interesting pattern in Radial balance.

PROPORTION:

Proportion deals with the ratio of the individual parts to one another. In works of
art, the relationships of parts are difficult to compare with any accuracy because
proportion often becomes a matter of personal judgement. This is an example of
Doryphoros of Polykleitos, Polykleitos has created a new system of ideal
proportion which has led to the sculpture of a young man. You can see his
beautiful proportion of this young man, in this detailed picture. The Polyclitus style
was characterized by rhythmical and harmonious composition.

EMPHASIS:

Emphasis implies both dominant either by some shapes or vibrant colors and
subordinate areas. In this image, the focal point is the bright centre, and you can
notice the swirling atmosphere, the landscape and the people standing by the
foreground on the left. Inspite of all the this, our attention is first focussed upon the
bright focal point, that is the power of emphasis. The emphasis has been created
using bright colors.

CONTRAST
Contrast occurs when the elements are repeated in a way that makes them appear
unrelated.

In this picture harmony is provided through the recurrent use of circles, and variety
is shown by modifying the shape of the circle; some are tipped, some are larger
than the norm and the contrast is shown by the background of these circles. Hence,
creating an interesting pattern.

MOVEMENT

Many observers do not realize that while looking at a painting, they travel along
the path of the art, which is developed by the artist, which stops now and then,
which makes the artwork and the travel interesting.
In this picture by Agnus, one travels through the path of this painting. This is a
very This dominant, large, stark and an unforgettable image. Agnes speaks of the
abstract beauty of life - the voice. She further speaks of a delicate, plant like flame
that springs out of a plant like root source. She portrays this as the root of the
structure and the flames moving, through which the person viewing it, moves
along. Hence, creating a movement in this picture. It is very obvious that this is not
a stagnant picture like a rigid square or a rectangle, or something like that. This
picture shows movement by itself.

ECONOMY

What economy in art is? Economy has no rules, just keeping the minimum and
revising it. If a particular thing is not needed, then reworking on it or it could be
rejected.In this piece of work Wesselmann, reduced the image to the few details
that he considers crucial, thereby practicing Economy.It is an example of a nude
study by Wesselmann, he has just kept a, basic form of the female, no extra details
like eyes, nose, etc. or any jewelry or even no details in the backdrop is given. This
is so minimalistic that the artist considers as a economy.

EXERCISE 2
Try out this small exercise which will be very interesting;
> Create boxes of 2.5" x 2.5" of about some 10 - 20 patterns.

> Create patterns using lines and point (dots of varied sizes) for these principles;
● Harmony
● variety
● Balance
● Emphasis
● Rhythm
● Proportion
● Economy
This would be very useful for you in your designs.

THE COMPONENTS OF ART:

● Subject
● Content
● Form
● Style
● Media
● Technique
Let us have a closer look into; Subject, Content and form of art.
SUBJECT

In this painting it is clearly evident that it is a manmade structure portrayed in this

painting. But, just the subject doesn't matter, how the subject is being treated,
matters as well. This is the work of a factory building and in the image, verticality
is broken by the horizontal windows and this work even shows the perspective
through which it goes, the traffic signal, post indicates the roadways. So much of
subject is seen in this work.

The Subject-man made structure is clear enough; however a work should not be
judged by its subject alone, but by how that subject is treated.

FORM
In this image, form could be perceived as the individual object as a Form or the
parts that when put together to form it. To illustrate the different meanings of the
term FORM, we can say that the form in this piece of sculpture are its parts,
largely individual figures or that the form of the work consists of the total
assembly of those parts.

CONTENT:

This picture is a true, real and unposed one by Eugene. The emotional factor in this
image is made so evident, that would be the same even in reality. The artist has
enhanced this by handling the situation. Since this is a photograph, the camera
angle, the setting up of the frame and situation set up matters a lot in this picture.
Thus, showing its content.

EXERCISE 3

> Correlate the study of the basic elements in art, applied into architecture in the
following buildings, which you will be seeing.

> Analyze how the shape has placed a vital role in space modification.

> Try creating 3d forms with these visual elements you have studied and
incorporate them in you designs - exterior and interior space modeling and
designing.

Analyze these buildings with the elements you have studied. For example, this
could be the vertical, this is for the point, this is for the horizontality.

FORM AND SHAPE

The Water cube and the Garnean museum, how the form has played a vital role in
these structures.

SPACE
TEXTURE
The texture of the building in these images, some would be reflective, glossy,
rugged or smooth. Just analyze these structures and observe their role.

Design Principles: Share a few representations of architectural works, analyze the

design principles on these works.
These are the examples for symmetry, like how symmetry has played in this; the
A-symmetrical work, the symmetrical work and the Radial symmetry in these ages.

THE RHYTHM
EMPHASIS
PROPORTION AND SCALE

MOVEMENT
How movement is shown in the buildings?
While looking at these images, it is very clear that these are not stagnant, fixed
plane buildings.
While looking at the picture of the first glance itself, you feel a jerk or some kind
of movement.

CONTRAST

The image below is the louvre, the modern glass building; there is a historical
building behind that. Analyze how the architect has played with contrast between
the two.

UNITY
Analyze how these building have been unified, either by the use of colours,
textures or the form by itself.