Elements and Principles of Design

Line: The linear marks made with a pen or brush or the edge created when two shapes meet.

Shape: A self contained defined area of geometric or organic form. A positive shape in a painting automatically creates a negative shape.

Direction: All lines have direction – Horizontal, vertical or oblique.

Size: Simply the relationship of the area occupied by one shape to that of another.

Texture: The surface quality of a shape – Rough, smooth, soft, hard, glossy etc. Texture can be physical or visual.

Color: Also called Hue.

Value: The lightness or darkness of a color. Value is also called tone.

Balance: Similar to balance in physics. A large shape close to the center can be balanced with a small shape close to the edge. A large light toned shape will be balanced by a small dark toned shape.

Gradation: Color from warm to cool and tone from dark to light produce aerial perspective.

Repetition: Repeating an image with some variation.

Contrast: The juxtaposition of opposing elements. Ex: red/blue, light/dark, and horizontal/vertical.

Harmony: Visually satisfying effect of combining similar, related elements.

Dominance: Gives a painting intrest, counteracting confusion and monotony.

Unity: Relating the design elements to the idea being expressed in a painting reinforces the principal of unity.