What Are The Formal Elements Of Art?

Here I will define the formal elements of art, yet first we must know what they are. Within these formal elements are Line, Shape, Form, Color, Value, Space, and Texture.

Then there is always the last component which is often left out called Mark Making And Materiality.

The use of these elements play a direct role in determining many concepts and principles of art. Among the more important is Emphasis In Art and the use of Subject Matter.

The roots of these formal elements can be traced to art history. Defined by Classicism these elements can vary in use but remain a constant for our understanding.

Element Of Art: The Line

A Line is simply what it states, a line. It is the fundamental basis and foundation upon which all art content is made. It is the foundation for concepts like convergence in art where depth of field is obtained.

A line can be straight, curve, intersect, and create two or three dimensional shape. It is not limited to arts such as drawing or painting.

The Line is also used in sculpting, wood art, pottery, charcoal art, ink art, and more. It applies in this context for any geometric shape exists due to lines.

The only way for art to not have a line is to purposefully make it void of any shape. A single colored wall panel for example would apply in this context.

The Line is the foundation for art, it is also the foundation for other elements. It becomes the boundary for which color and value is contained. It determines how space is used within the given work. These elements cannot exist within art without the line.

This is consistent even within non representational art where abstract ideas are represented. While it may no longer act as a container, it still exists as points of intersection between color and value.

Element Of Art: Shape

While Shape seems to be self defining, it is important to understand the context in which it is used. It applies to two dimensional objects which become represented within art.

While shading can make a drawing appear as if it has three dimensions, it is still a two dimensional shape.

The line forms Shapes which become the containers for other elements within artwork. These shapes begin to define aspects such as subject matter, and how space is used to define a work.

They can give balance or shift balance and focus to an area by the intent of the artist.

These shapes become a critical element in the storytelling behind the work. These are the boundaries defined by the line. Within Representational Art the artist will live by how this use of shape creates the work.

Element Of Art: Form

Form in art is strictly three dimensional in its context and use. There will be a measurable volume, height, width, and depth.

In this way Form applies to objects of creation whether sculptures, pottery, wood art, casting, or other three dimensional pieces.

Form is never to be confused with shape. Although in casual discussion it is easy to use the word Form out of this context, it is important to know its real academic application.

Element Of Art: Color

Defining Color involves understanding Hue. A Hue is a variation of a single color. One can see this on a color wheel where the primary colors begin to shift in a circle. Blue can have many different Hues of blue. Yet its foundation is within its primary color.

Color has the power to create movement within art. Movement in art is an element which can give an illusion drawing the viewer into the work.

The colors within art are often selected based on a formula of either compliment or contrast. While other colors will often be used in representational art outside of what the formula defines, it is the foundation.

These selected colors become a part of the theme and emotion acting as a vehicle for the work to this end.

This is often done for a purpose which aids the artist to convey a message within the artwork. The containers defined by shape will hold these colors to bring the art to life. This is why accent color use in a home with art is powerful.

Element Of Art: Value

Value is not to be confused with color or hue of color. Value speaks to how light or dark a hue may be.

The easiest way to comprehend this element is to think in terms of greyscale. To alter how light or dark a color may be does not alter its hue.

The key to this element is the intensity of the color, this is at times called saturation. To gain more intensity to its value a darker variation of the hue may be needed. To make it more subtle a lighter variation of hue may be desired.

Light works in this same manner. The spectrum of a light bulb does not change its color.

This is true whether the light is made to be brighter, or is dimmed to allow a darker room. The color of light which the bulb produces is still the same.

Element Of Art: Space

Space consists of the construction of perspective between objects whether by shape or form. This Space becomes an element of storytelling by allowing the artist to draw focus to a subject or subdue it.

This is achieved by perspective between background and foreground using the space between objects.

Proportion in size also is used with objects to this same affect. The size of an object within art will alter the space and thus the focus within a work. Both perspective and proportion play critical roles in defining space.

Most often this is described by using the words Positive Space and Negative Space. Positive Space refers to areas within the work which surround the subject. Negative Space refers to areas of the work which do not involve the subject.

Similar terminology exists for three dimensional art with form. Open Space and Closed Space are the terms used here.

Open Space refers to an empty, thus open, area within the work. Closed Space refers to physical sculptural elements of the work.

This is a very basic definition and a mere introduction to the element of Space. This topic is rather complex in its application and how surrounding elements are used in conjunction with it.

How space is used in application can at times become a point of debate and subjective in nature.

Element Of Art: Texture

Texture in art references the surface quality and feel of the art. This can either be tactile or implied.

Traditionally speaking, tactile applies to three dimensional art by form. Here the surface can be felt by the hands to know its surface in a real way. Texture in wood is an example of this element of art.

Implied is in reference to visual cues. Art can be made to appear as though it has texture such as in paintings or drawing.

While this general rule applies there are times when art such as paintings can have Tactile qualities.

When an artists uses a brush for the purpose of leaving a texture within a canvas, as was common with Impressionism, it can be Tactile and also Implied.

The key is whether this texture is a visual cue, can be felt by hands, or if it is both.

Element Of Art: Mark Making And Materiality

This element is often left off in discussion of art. The reason why is that it largely falls under the element of the Line within most traditional art. I will give an example.

A single Mark can be a dot. A series of dots can create a pattern. This is very basic Mark Making.

Slashes can also be used to express anger or other emotions in art. Yet a slash is a Line. So from a traditional arts perspective it is understandable why this element is often part of another element.

In some arts, fine woodworking for example, this is not the case. Within wood art you have additional issues which arise in Mark Making.

They are the unintended marks which are left behind from tooling. Woodworkers will often call these tool marks.

While typically this may not be considered the same as Mark Making, it becomes a part of this element when it is desired for a purpose. For example chatter marks made from blades may be allowed to remain for effect.

A cutting bit may leave light scaring, or impressions within the grain from where it passed. Normally these marks can be removed.

Yet there are those moments when allowed to remain additional impact in color can be gained by how the blade altered the grain.

While this aspect is more advanced in wood art, it is a way to achieve shading much like a pencil artist would do. Often it can be the only way to highlight the subject of a work as the wood medium can be limited in this regard.

Creating With Elements Of Art

Through the use of these mentioned elements an artist can create aspects such as movement. Additionally one can create rhythm in art by using any one, or a combination of these elements.

Another tool commonly employed with elements is the use of a concept called Juxtaposition. This concept uses multiple elements side by side for comparison or contrast for effects or impact.

How the artist chooses to use the tools at their disposal will allow them to direct an audience, communicate a message, or impress emotion upon them.

Combining elements allows for a powerful work as one begins to master how they are used. Nature itself represents how these can come together if we study what is around us.

Some Rules May Flex Or Bend

Generally speaking these elements within art are fairly concrete. The Line for example is a fundamental element within geometry.

There are rare instances where it would not exist within art that may be generated digitally by hue and saturation in monochrome formats.

The element of Texture can be somewhat flexible in application. By definition it remains as it is defined.

Nevertheless one cannot classify all paintings as implied texture. Likewise not all sculptures will be purely tactile.

Just as a painting can have both implied and tactile textures, so can a sculpture.

This is what I mean by rules having some flex or bend. Saying an art can or cannot possess some or both elements is not an accurate way to approach this subject.

Space is perhaps the single element where the greatest flexing or bending of a rule may apply. This is due to the interpretive nature of art.

A subject may have less focus in proportion and perspective giving the illusion that the negative space is the subject.

In this case the artist may wish for the negative space to have greater impact representing the burdens which the subject faces. Emotional works communicating to the human experience can often be played with in terms of space.

Despite some aspects within elements being flexible they are rather resolute in their definition and application. Each is a foundational element for reason in the creation, expression, and experience of art.

To Master The Elements Is To Master Art

Each of these elements plays a critical role. This becomes essential to how the art will communicate to those who view it.

Each element should be explored individually and then also collectively in application. When exploring you will discover how elements of art build Harmony in art.

Harmony in turn works to build Unity in art. Here is where concepts become building blocks that continue to grow one upon another. This construct works with Principles of art.

If one can become a master of these elements the art in turn will transform into a vehicle that can express your message with the desired impact. One can determine to allow more subjective meaning or define a specific message at will.

It is here that an artist can know how to draw out emotions from others. It is the ability to communicate with something other than the spoken or written word.

These elements are critical within the artist tool kit and are not to be ignored.

New Artists In Education

I would advise any new aspiring artists to spend a good deal of time understanding art appreciation. It is only through two ways that one can really learn how elements of art are used. New artists often immediately run to experimentation within their work.

It is best to learn how to study historical works and what other artists of history have done first. Seeing how others have used the elements to create art gives great insight into their uses and application.

It can truly further your skill and open new opportunities that you would never think of on your own.

It can be too easy to dismiss some of the education offered within the classroom. Art appreciation is not one to dismiss.

Learning how elements are used is merely one aspect of art which you will learn to grow through others work.

Closing Notes

There is certainly much more depth which each of these art elements hold. This article is merely an overview of how they work and are generally applied to art.

Books have been written in this area and by no means stop here. Continue to explore them and get to know how to use them effectively within your work.

For those who are wood artists I would advise exploring the uses of tool marks within our work. This can be an obsessive subject, and often unwanted impact upon our work.

Nevertheless they can be used in other ways helping you rather than causing hours of frustration removing them.

The key within wood art is knowing when a work can benefit from their presence especially when creating contrasts in color.