The Elements and Principles of Art

Critical analysis begins with a shared vocabulary for describing what we see. The elements of art are the basic visual building blocks, and the principles of design are the ways those elements are organized. Together they give us precise language for talking about any artwork, in any medium or culture. This lesson defines them and shows how they support analysis.

The elements of art

The elements are the raw ingredients of visual work. Line is a mark with length and direction; it can describe edges, suggest movement, or create texture and pattern. Shape is a two-dimensional enclosed area, which may be geometric or organic. Form is the three-dimensional equivalent, having height, width, and depth, whether real (in sculpture) or illusionary (suggested by tone). Space is the area within and ar