Form is a visual element that refers to the illusion of a three-dimensional object on a two-dimensional surface. If your paintings look “flat” and uninviting, it is probably due to poor use of form. Major Forms: Sphere, Cube, Cylinder, and Cone The major forms you need to be aware of are sphere, cube, cylinder, and … Read more
Shape is one of the visual elements which refers to an enclosed two-dimensional area. You create a shape whenever you draw a line that connects at both ends. In this post, I discuss the different types of shapes you will encounter in art, how to use them, and provide master painting examples. I cover: Geometric … Read more
Line is perhaps the most fundamental of all the visual elements. It broadly refers to a mark which spans between two points. But there are many different types and uses of line. In this post, I cover: Line Types Lines can be: Straight or curved Thick or thin Rigid or organic Horizontal or vertical Broken … Read more
Emphasis is a principle of art that refers to the use of visual elements to draw attention to a certain area, usually a focal point, in an artwork. There are many ways you could go about using emphasis in your art. Usually, it involves contrasting different elements against each other. For example, a bright, red … Read more
Texture in art is a visual element that refers to the surface quality of a painting (i.e. smooth, rough, matte, glossy, etc). Many artists seem to overlook the importance of texture, but I find it to be one of the most versatile tools at our disposal. In this post, I discuss what texture is and … Read more
The visual elements of art are the building blocks of an artwork and the principles of art are the framework for how you arrange these elements. Understanding the visual elements of art is of key importance to see like an artist. Rather than looking at an object as what it represents, you will learn to … Read more