Commission on Higher Education

Region V
CALABANGA COMMUNITY COLLEGE
San Isidro, Calabanga, Camarines Sur

MODULE 4
“ELEMENTS OF THE VISUAL ARTS”

Learning Objectives:

At the end of this module, students should be able:

1. Define line, color, hue, harmonies and contrast.

2. Analyze the kinds of color harmonies as apply to arts.
3. Describe the types of line used by an artist.
4. Interpret the color wheel.
5. Apply the psychology of colors.
6. Explain the meaning of colors conveyed by the rose.
7. Differentiate linear perspective and aerial perspective.
8. Identify the Elements of the Visual Arts.
9. state the meaning of each element.
10. Compare the characteristic of each element.

Introduction:

Whenever we see an art object, we cannot fail to notice several things: line, shape, texture, form,
space, color and value which the artist used in expressing his ideas. There are called the elements of the
visual arts. Like medium, elements are present in every art form. All arts have certain elements of their own.

Elements of art are stylistic features that are included within an art piece to help the artist
communicate. The seven most common elements include: line, shape, texture, form, space, color and value,
with the additional of mark making, and materiality.

One of the main objectives of the course is to learn how to critically analyze art works; how to
communicate about the arts. To do this, it is necessary to have a basic understanding of the elements that
art encompasses. The element is what the artist uses to create the work.

Pre-Competency Checklist: (Formative/Diagnostic Assessment)

Answer the following question for at least 3-5 sentences as you respond in every query.

1. What is the difference between linear perspective and aerial perspective?

2. What determines the color objects? Give example.

Learning Resource:

1. Discussion of PowerPoint Presentation through Google classroom

2. Sanchez, Custodiosa, Loreto V. Jao and Paz Abad. INTRODUCTION TO THE HUMANITIES.
Quezon City: Rex Printing Company Inc., 2012.
3. Ballo, Guido. THE CRITICAL EYE. A New Approach to Art Appreciation. London: William
Heinermann Ltd. 2000.
4. Calsado, Tony. ARCHITECTURE. Philippine Travel Bulletin, 2010.
5. Horst, Louise. MODERN DANCE FORMS. Caroll Russel, 2015.
6. Dudley, L. and Austin, Faricy. THE HUMANITIES. New York: McGraw-Hill Book Co., Inc., 2016
7. Ortis, Ma. Aurora R. Teresita Erestain, A. Guillermo, and M. Montano. ART: PERCEPTION AND
APPRECIATION. Manila. University of the East, 2017.
8. https://www.slideshare.net/janril/art-appreciation-creativity-imagination-and-expression
9. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJZVuu-L2wk
10. https://human.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Art/
A_World_Perspective_of_Art_Appreciation_(Gustlin_and_Gustlin)/
 01%3A_A_World_Perspective_of_Art_Appreciation/1.01%3A_What_Is_Art_Appreciation#:~:text=Art
%20appreciation%20centers%20on%20the,and%20a%20sense%20of%20beauty.
11. https://www.educationworld.in/the-importance-of-art-appreciation/

Explore: (Task/Activity)

Element of the Visual Arts

Line

Line is an important element at the disposal of every artist. Though the lines of a painting or
sculpture, the artist can make us know what the work is about. He uses line to represent figures and forms.

Line always have direction. They are always moving. Lines, as used in any work of art, may either be
straight or curved.

We have learned that certain emotion state always find expression through definite positions. We
associate the emotion with the lines that define their accompanying positions.

Straight line – are always associated with ideas of steadiness and force. It moves one direction.

Horizontal line – Are lines of repose and serenity. They express idea of calmness and quiescence.
Horizontal line is found in reclining persons, in landscapes, calm bodies of water and the distant meeting of
the earth and sky in what is commonly called the horizon. The horizontal line of the sarcophagus of King Tut
suggestive repose.

Vertical line – Are lines poised for action. They are poised, balance, forceful, and dynamic. Vertical
lines seen in a person standing straight, a tall tree statue of saints and heroes given an impression of dignity.
Vertical lines also tent to express as well as arouse emotions of exaltation and in quietude and this is evident
in monumental architecture.

Diagonal lines – Suggest action and movement. They give animation to any composition in which
they appear. Almost every object in action assumes a diagonal line. A running person makes a diagonal line
with his body and legs. The degree of action is shown by the angel of the diagonal.

Curve lines – Suggest grace, movement, flexibility, joyousness and grace. They are never harsh or
stern since they are formed by a gradual change in direction. They tend to import these qualities to any work
where they used. The curved lines of the woman’s body and the bamboo stem where according to Philippine
legend, man and woman sprang, as depicted in a mural by the late artist Carlos Francisco show very clearly
the grace which only curved lines could depict.

THREE (3) GROUPS OF LINES:

1. Lines which follow or repeat one another.

2. Repetition occurs when two or more lines are drawn within a corner following the lines of the corner.
Lines which contrast with one another. Lines that are opposition to each other form a contrast.
3. Transitional lines which modify or soften the effects of others. When a curved line cuts across a
corner from an opposition line to another, it forms a transition line.

Color

Color is a property of light. It plays an important role in the of an artist. Delight in color is a universal
human characteristic. Color is a property of light. When light goes out, color goes with it.

The white light the sun contains all the color of the spectrum; violet indigo, blue, green, yellow,
orange and red. These colors are so blended that they yield no sensation of color. When a beam of light
passes through a prism, the different rays of color are separated so that we are able to see and identify
them. When light strikes a surface, some of the color rays are absorbed while others are infected.
 Color has three dimensions or attributes:

Hue – is the dimension of color that gives color its name. when we
say the flower is yellow, we are naming its hue. Color names such
as red, green, violet, and yellow indicate the color characteristic
called hue. blue, red, and yellow are the primary hues. If these
primary hues are mixed in equal parts, the secondary hues are
produced. The secondary hues are orange, green, violet.

Value – Refers to the lightness or darkness of a color. It is a quality

which depends on the amount of light and dark in color. It will offer
important suggestion for the arrangement of color values in iinterior
decoration.

Tints- values above the normal and shades are values below
the normal. Pink is a tint of red, the maroon is the shade of red.
Intensity – It refers to the brightness or darkness of color. Two
colors may be both blue but one is more intense than the
other. When a hue is in its vivid form, it said to be in full
intensity. When it is dulled, it is aids to be partly neutralized.
The blacker or white is added, the weaker is the intensity.

WARM AND COOL COLORS

Warm colors: red, orange and yellow. Cool color: blue

COLOR HARMONIES

TWO (2) KINDS OF COLOR HARMONIES:

1. RELATED COLOR HARMONIES - these may either be

monochromatic or adjacent. Monochromatic harmony - is
made up of several tones of one hue. Adjacent or
neighboring harmony - two or three neighboring hues of the
color circle are used together.
2. CONTRASTED COLOR HARMONIES-colors which lie
directly opposite each other in the color circle are called
complementary colors.

Psychology of Colors

One important thing the artist has to remember is that colors are known to have varied psychological
and emotional connotations.
Meaning of Colors Conveyed by the Rose

Talking of colors, although the rose itself is not a

human creation, having different colors that convey different
meaning, the rose is the flower worthy of mention for its
varied psychological and emotional connotation. It is the
universal flora of love but one should not just send any rose
because of different meaning conveyed by its different colors.
Sarian J. in his article “The Language of Roses,” says:

Red is for “I love you,” Pink conveys a “Thank you,”

White says “You are heavenly,” Coral speaks of desire.

Texture

Texture is the element that deals more directly with the

sense of touch. It has to do with the characteristics of surfaces
which can be rough or smooth, fine or coarse, shiny or dull, plain
or irregular. It is best appreciated when an object is felt with the
hands.
It is found in all the visual arts. A painting, a building, or a
piece of sculpture has textures which are felt and described in a
variety of ways.
In painting, texture is used to represent the skin, clothes,
and others. It can add richness and vitality to paintings. Texture
can add richness and vitality of two paintings. Texture gives a
surface unevenness. Texture is very real to the sculpture and
architect.

Perspective

It deals with the effect of distance upon the appearance of objects, by means of which the eye
judge’s spatial relationships. It enables us to perceive distance and to see the position of objects in space.

TWO (2) KINDS OF PERSPECTIVE:

1. LINEAR PERSPECTIVE-is the representation of an appearance of distance by means of converging

lines. has to do with the direction of lines and with the size of objects.
2. AERIAL PERSPECTIVE-is the representation of relative distance of object by gradations of tones
and colors. To get depth or distance, an artist uses these two kinds of perspective

Linear Perspective

Linear Perspective - Is the representation of an appearance of distance by means of converging

lines. The tracts of a railroad appear to the viewer as seeming to rise and meet in the distance. The objects
appear smaller as they recede into the distance. People or objects at the background of a painting seem to
be shorter than those in front. Foreshortening – is the representation of objects or parts of the body as
smaller from the point of view of the observer.
Aerial Perspective
 Aerial Perspective - is the representation of relative distances of objects by gradations of tone and
color. Objects become fainter in the distance due to the effect to the atmosphere, objects appear to be lighter
in color and the outline vaguer as they recede into the distance or into the atmosphere.

1. Space – In painting as in architecture, space, is of great importance. The exterior of a building is

seen as it appears in space while the interior is seen by one who is inside as enclosing space.
Painting does not deal with space directly; it represents space only on a two-dimensional surface.
Sculpture has very little to do with space relationship or perception of space.

2. Form – Form applies to the overall design of a work of art. It describes the structure or shape of an
object. All visual arts are concerned with form. Sculpture and architecture deal with three-
dimensional forms although sculpture deals with exterior form alone because we do not get inside a
statue but we always get inside a building.

3. Volume – The term volume refers to the amount of space occupied in there-dimension. It therefore
refers to solidity or thickness. We perceive volume in two ways: by contour line or outline or shapes
of objects, and by surface lights and shadows. This is the primary concern of architects because a
building always enclose space.

Post-Competency Checklist (Formative Assessment)

1. Name the methods associated with or suggested by:

a. Horizontal lines
b. Vertical lines
c. Diagonal lines
d. Curved lines
2. What is the color of the spectrum?
3. Value refers to the lightness or darkness of a color. How will understanding of value help the artist in
his use of color?
4. What is the difference between linear perspective and aerial perspective?
5. What determines the color objects? Give example.
6. How do painters, sculptors or architects create different textures on their work?

Assignment:
 1. Why is design importance for an artist? For an observer?
2. How is the harmony achieved in the visual arts?
3. What is the difference between formal or symmetrical balance and informal or asymmetrical
balance?
4. How is the principle of good proportion achieved in painting? In sculpture?
5. How is the quality of design called emphasis produced?
6. What principles of design are illustrated in the following?
a. Repetition of angles, shapes, lines and color
b. The human body
c. Two vases placed in equal distance from the center
d. A figure may be too big for the pedestal it is on
e. The head is not too big nor too small for the rest of the body
f. An interior decorator creates a center of interest in a room
g. Repetitions of colors in different parts of the room, like red roses in a vase, spots of red in
the curtain, and throw pillow with red designs.
7. Write a reflection on organizations in visual arts such as in painting, sculptures, and architectural
design.

Acknowledgements:

This CCC modules for Art Appreciation (Humanities 1) is a part of a different kinds of textbooks and
other materials written by different authors to develop its own instructional materials anchored on the
curriculum and responsive to the aptitudes and the teaching and learning environment of the Philippine
setting. The writer compiles the information from different author and prepared the information in modular
format.

I would like to express their great gratitude, deep appreciation and thank to the following:

Sanchez, Custodiosa, Loreto V. Jao, Paz Abad, Ballo, Guido, Calsado, Tony, Horst, Louise, Dudley,
L., Austin, Faricy, Ortis, Ma. Aurora, R. Teresita Erestain, A. Guillermo, and M. Montano for their books,
pamphlets & hand-outs that served as a reference in preparing this module.

The Google chromes, whose picture were used in this CCC module and for the electronics copy of
books, pamphlets & hand-outs.

My students in Art Appreciation (Humanities 1) for sharing and prepared the materials in preparing
this module and whose interest has been a source of inspiration.

To you all, my heartfelt thanks.

DR.GIL F. PANGINDIAN
Associate Professor 5