Visual arts is one of the branches of art where the creations are appreciated through sight and touch. For this reason, visual art in English is often referred to as "visual art," which denotes art that can be seen and has a tangible (visible) form.
As a branch of art, visual art pieces contain several elements that form the essence of any creation, no matter how simple. These fundamental elements in the world of visual arts are known as "elements of art." These elements include:
Line
A line is a series of points connected in a specific pattern or can be a connection between two points. Lines have a directional flow and length, which makes them a prominent element, although they may also vary in thickness. Based on its shape, a line can be straight, curved, or jagged (zig-zag). Lines also vary in character depending on the medium, technique, and location where they are created.
Plane / Form
A plane is an element with dimensions of length and width, while a form has dimensions of length, width, and height. In other words, a plane is flat, while a form has mass or volume. Both planes and forms can be of different types: geometric, biomorphic (organic), regularly angled, and irregular shapes. Planes can be created when two line ends meet or can be formed through the application of color.
Texture
Texture refers to the surface quality of an object, which can give an impression of smoothness, roughness, dullness, glossiness, slipperiness, porosity, and so forth. These impressions can be felt both visually and through touch. Thus, there are two types of texture: actual texture, which is the actual feel of a surface, and implied texture, where the visual appearance differs from the tactile impression.
Color
The study of color can be approached through two theories: color theory based on light (pioneered by Isaac Newton) and color theory based on pigment (Goethe). The light-based color theory includes the seven spectral colors seen in physics, like in a rainbow. For learning in visual arts, we’ll focus on pigment-based color theory, which revolves around fine particles of color. Important terms in pigment color theory include:
- Primary Colors: The base or fundamental colors that cannot be made by mixing other colors. Primary colors are Red, Green, and Blue (often abbreviated as RGB).
- Secondary Colors: Colors made by mixing two primary colors, such as purple, orange, and green.
- Tertiary Colors: Colors created by mixing two secondary colors.
- Analogous Colors: Colors located next to each other on the color wheel, like purple moving to red or green moving to yellow.
- Complementary Colors: Contrasting colors located opposite each other on the color wheel, such as yellow with purple or red with green.
Light and Dark
In two-dimensional art, light and dark play roles in rendering objects with a three-dimensional feel, creating a sense of space or depth, and providing contrast. Light and dark can be created through the intensity (brightness) of color or by mixing black and white.
Space (Depth)
In three-dimensional artwork, space can be felt directly by the observer, like a room in a house or classroom. Light and dark are results of light exposure. An object appears dark when not exposed to light and bright when it is. Lighting in art can be:
- Natural light, which includes elements like sunlight, moonlight, lightning, and fire.
- Artificial light, such as that from lamps, batteries, etc.
In visual art, light is often purposefully introduced to enhance aesthetic value, emphasizing the presence of other artistic elements. The transition from light to dark serves to highlight the volume of a form.
