Quote of the Week -

This weeks quote of the week is by Edgar Degas, "Art is not what you see, it is what you make others see." For your online writing assignment this week, please response to this post with a short paragraph on your thoughts for this quote. Do you agree or not agree? Why?

Art Gala Thank You and Request for Fresh Ideas

     As many of you may already know our 2012 Art Gala will be November 17th at 6:30pm in the Spartan School gym. We look forward to seeing everyone there! This annual event would not be possible if it were not for our community volunteers. With this year's Gala fast approaching, I would like to thank everyone involved in this year's event for their head work and dedication.
     Although, we have not yet completed this year's event we are already looking forward to next year's festivities; We are always looking for fresh ideas on themes for our Art Gala. So, if you think that you have a great idea for next year's theme, the Art Department would love to hear it! We welcome all ideas for something new and exciting. So, put on your thinking caps and help us think of another great idea for next year!

The Elements of Design

Principles of Design

Unity

• Repetition

keeping this consistent

• Continuation
• Closure

Emphasis /Focal Point

• Contrast

Putting opposite's together

• Isolation
• Placement
• Absence of focal point

Balance

• Symmetrical
• Asymmetrical
• Radial
• All over pattern

Proportion /Scale

Contrast

Movement

Rhythm/Pattern

And the polar opposite principles:

Variety

Harmony

Space

Space is the area provided for a particular purpose. It may have two dimensions (length and width), such as a floor, or it may have three dimensions (length, width, and height). Space includes the background, foreground and middle ground. Space refers to the distances or areas around, between or within components of a piece. There are two types of space: positive and negative space. Positive space refers to the space of a shape representing the subject matter. Negative space refers to the space around and between the subject matter.

Elements of Art Vocabulary

Design elements are the basic units of a visual image. These elements include:

The 3 F's

"Form follows function" is known as the 3 f's of Design. Form refers to what something looks like, and function refers to how it works.

Line

Line is the basic element that refers to the continuous movement of a point along a surface, such as by a pencil or brush. The edges of shapes and forms also create lines. It is the basic component of a shape drawn on paper. Lines and curves are the basic building blocks of two dimensional shapes like a house's plan. Every line has length, thickness, and direction. There are curved, horizontal, vertical, diagonal, zigzag, wavy, parallel, dash, and dotted lines.

Color

Color is seen either by the way light reflects off a surface, or in colored light sources. Color and particularly contrasting color is also used to draw the attention to a particular part of the image. There are primary colors, secondary colors, and tertiary colors. Complementary colors are colors that are opposite to each other on the color wheel. Complementary colors are used to create contrast. Analogous colors are colors that are found side by side on the color wheel. These can be used to create color harmony. Monochromatic colors are tints and shades of one color. Warm colors are a group of colors that consist of reds, yellows, and oranges. Cool colors are group of colors that consist of purples, greens, and blues.

Shape

A shape is defined as an area that stands out from the space next to or around it due to a defined or implied boundary, or because of differences of value, color, or texture. Shapes can also show perspective by overlapping. They can be geometric or organic. Shapes in house decor and interior design can be used to add interest, style, theme to a design like a door. Shape in interior design depends on the function of the object like a kitchen cabinet door. Natural shapes forming patterns on wood or stone may help increase visual appeal in interior design. In a landscape, natural shapes, such as trees contrast with geometric such as houses.

Texture

Texture is perceived surface quality. In art, there are two types of texture: tactile and implied. Tactile texture (real texture) is the way the surface of an object actually feels. Examples of this include sandpaper, cotton balls, tree bark, puppy fur, etc. Implied texture is the way the surface of an object looks like it feels. The texture may look rough, fizzy, gritty, but cannot actually be felt. This type of texture is used by artists when drawing or painting.

Form

Form is any three dimensional object. Form can be measured, from top to bottom (height), side to side (width), and from back to front (depth). Form is also defined by light and dark. There are two types of form, geometric (man-made) and natural (organic form). Form may be created by the combining of two or more shapes. It may be enhanced by tone, texture and color. It can be illustrated or constructed.

Value

Value is an element of art that refers to the relationship between light and dark on a surface or object and also helps with Form. It gives objects depth and perception. Value is also referred to as tone.