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7 elements of design every artist keeps in mind

And every art enthusiast should know.
In this article we will discuss about all 7 elements of art in detail

0. POINT

Point is an abstract object and is not tangible.
Every shape or composition starts with a point. 

1. LINE 

Line is the most simplest and basic element. Many points connects to form line, so it is often defined as moving dots. 
Lines can be straight, curved or contoured, dotted, thick , thin  etc. Lines are the foundation for creating shapes.
In nature lines can be seen as grasses, tree branches, flower stem etc 
In drawings our eyes tend to follow the lines. 

2. SHAPE

Shape is a 2D area bounded by one or more lines or is seen and identified because of value or color changes. And Shapes have 2 dimensions, length and width. So it can be geometric or free form.
A painting or drawing can be a beautiful composition of shapes. 

3. Form

Form is a 3 dimensional object with measurable width, height and depth. It takes up the space. When two or more 3 dimensional objects are placed together the space between the objects helps us to identify the form.
And in drawing we can convert a 2 dimensional shape to form by shading technique and shadow. 
There are geometric , organic and random forms. 
Ex: square is a shape and cube is a form. So there are many Natural or organic forms in nature. Rocks , flowers, trees, vegetables etc. 
And Sculptures are also examples of form. 

4. Space

The area between or around any objects in a composition is space. It can be void or filled with colors. 
So Space can give depth to the painting. 
A building or a sculpture occupies the vacant space.
And Value can create the depth of the space.
If objects or people overlap in a painting, we can sense the space between them. And if overlapping is combined with size differences. So the depth and sense of the space can be identified. 

POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE SPACE 
Negative space is the area around the subjects or the area of interest. 
And Positive space is the space occupied by the subject or the area of interests.

If you are seeing a vase, then you are seeing the white area as the positive space. The black areas become the negative space. And If you are seeing faces, then you are seeing the black areas as the positive space, and the white area as the negative space.

5. Color 

Color depends on light because it is made of light. There must be light for us to see the color. So the whiter the light, more true the colors will be.
Hue – refers to the names of the colors – the actual color value of an object. 

Shade – when adding black to the actual color value
For Ex: red to black.

Tint – when adding white to the actual color value.
For Ex: red to white.

Gradient – Tints and Shade of an hue.
Warm and cool colors 

6. Value

Value refers to the darkness and lightness of a hue(color).
And it enables us to read shapes in a painting.

Greyscale shows values of grey from light to dark.
Color and value are closely related. So In a monochromatic painting also we can see values of a hue. 

Value contrast is the difference between light and dark values. And photographers use value contrast to make black and white prints. 

7. Texture

Texture refers to the surface quality. It is tangible. The feel, appearance, thickness of the surface. 
Different techniques used in painting to make texture. For example dry brush technique produces a rough texture.
Different material surfaces used for painting have different textures. 
For sculpting the rough stone texture is made to the desired texture by the artist. 
For nature painting artist use different techniques to make the texture of leaf , trees, water etc

So young art enthusiasts keep this in mind next time you draw or paint. 

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