Elements of Art

In a landscape drawing, the area that appears closest to the viewer is called the foreground. Objects in this area are usually drawn larger, clearer, and with more detail. The middle ground lies between the foreground and background, while the background is the farthest area. Exam tip: remember near = foreground, middle = middle ground, and far = background.

Middle ground lies between foreground and background. Exam tip: remember three parts of landscape depth.

Receding lines give a sense of perspective and depth. Exam tip: connect road example with perspective.

Little empty space can make composition heavy and crowded. Exam tip: pay attention to space balance.

A focal point attracts the viewer's attention first. Exam tip: understand focal point as main attraction.

Contrast makes the focal point clear and attractive. Exam tip: remember contrast for emphasis.

When shapes are repeated in a composition, they guide the viewer’s eye in an ordered movement and create a sense of rhythm. Balance is also an important principle, but it results from the distribution of visual weight, not simply from repetition. Exam tip: when repeated shapes, lines, or colours are mentioned, first consider rhythm.

Repeating similar colours and shapes makes different parts of a composition appear connected, thereby creating unity. Contrast is produced by clear differences in colours, shapes, or values. Exam tip: associate similarity and repetition with unity.

Using different colours and shapes in a composition creates variety. Variety adds visual interest and prevents the artwork from looking monotonous. Unity refers to harmony among parts, while balance concerns the distribution of visual weight. Exam tip: differences in colour, shape, or texture usually indicate variety.

Shape colour value and space change visual weight. Exam tip: connect balance with visual weight.

Sharp angular lines can create tension and hardness. Exam tip: observe line character in emotional effect.

A soft curved line gives a calm and comfortable effect. Exam tip: connect softness with curved line.

Irregular lines show the rough texture of bark. Exam tip: understand the relation of line and texture.

Flow lines drawn behind a running horse suggest its direction and speed, so they mainly show movement. The edge of a table, a wall boundary, and the edge of paper mainly show a fixed outline or boundary, not motion. Exam tip: lines extending behind or along a moving object usually indicate movement.

Difference of colour and value can also make the boundary of shape. Exam tip: shape can be formed by contrast too.

Main figure becomes positive and surrounding empty area becomes negative shape. Exam tip: remember figure-ground relation.

Simple shapes remain clear even from distance. Exam tip: give importance to clarity in poster design.

Abstract shapes can express feeling without directly showing objects. Exam tip: connect abstract shape with imagination.

Clouds are naturally irregular so a square cloud will look stylized. Exam tip: understand how shape choice affects meaning.

A wide base makes a form look stable and strong. Exam tip: connect form stability with base.