Formal Qualities of Art Works The Formal Qualities of an Artwork or the Elements and Principles of Art and Design will be the focus of this page. Almost a hundred years ago, an American artist and teacher of art named Arthur Wesley Dow wanted his art students to be able to see, describe and create visual qualities in a systematic way. Dow wrote about the “elements of art” in 1899. Over the years, it has been changed and expanded by artists and experts. (Paraphrased from Art: Images and Ideas by Laura H. Chapman)

Elements of Art and Design:
Line
active- passive
bold –delicate
flowing- light
straight- curved
thick –thin
dark –light
broken- continuous
geometric- organic
implied- actual
precise- irregular
contour- outline

Shape/Form
2D-3D
solid –void
concave- convex
positive- negative
organic(natural)- geometric (man made)
free form

Space
2D-3D
positive– negative
open –closed
filled– empty
actual– implied
interior– exterior
scale
orientation

Tone
shading
high – low
contrast
intensity
stippling
hatching - cross hatching

Color
contrast
tint
hue
pigment
primary
secondary
intermediate
neutral

color schemes
warm – cool
neutral
monochromatic
analogous
complementary
split complementary
triad
bright– dull
local
optical (or atmospheric)
symbolic

Texture
actual (tactual) – visual
simulated– invented

Principles of Art and Design:
Balance
symmetrical
asymmetrical
radial

Rhythm, Movement
alternating
progressive
flowing
jazzy
vertical
horizontal
diagonal
curving

Proportion
life-size
monumental
miniature
Golden Section or Mean
scale
caricature
normal– exaggerated – idealized

Emphasis
by dominance
by focal point
by isolation
by size
by contrast

Pattern
repetition
motif (2D)
module (3D)
allover

Unity and Variety
by repetition
by simplicity
by harmony
by theme and variation
by proximity
by continuity
by contrast