In a previous article line was discussed as one of the basic elements in art. The others are shape, value, texture, volume or mass, and color. Each of these may receive the artist's emphasis, but all are always present if the work is to be considered a work of art. And that consideration is the key.
Shape as an art element is defined as any area that has identifiable boundaries. Generally, these boundaries are defined by lines, however it may be indicated in other ways. For example, an edge between one color and other indicates shape. A division between dark and light areas define boundaries of shape. In dance, shape is designated by body movements within a given area. This is especially true in modern dance.
Art
Value is the third element of art, the first being line and the second being shape. Value is the subtle difference between light and dark areas. The two extremes of value are black and white. And between these two extremes of value are many ranges. In a painting, shadows or dark colors indicate the dark areas. Highlights are shown by lighter values. In theater as well as film, lighting is used to create value.
The fourth element of texture is unique. It involves two of our senses. Sight identifies the nature of the texture and stimulates our mental construction of the sense of touch without actually touching the object being observed. This sense of implied touch occurs because of those experiences you have had. You are creating your concept of a reality when this happens. And it is illusion.
Volume or mass is the fifth art element and it is what suggests dimensionality, specifically depth. Mass is sometimes considered as a separate element because it suggests weight. In painting weight cannot be seen. Sculpture on the other hand uses mass. Yet, even two dimensional surfaces can be made to give a sense of volume. This is accomplished by space, placement of objects, and color.
The final element of art is color. Despite the fact that nearly everyone knows what color is, it still causes problems. Among the chief reasons for this difficulty is individual differences in seeing colors and the names of colors. Involved in color is hue, tint, shade, saturation, primary and secondary, and complementary colors. Color's psychological impact on the viewer is significant.
When married to line, these five elements, shape, value, texture, volume, and color come together to form composition, the subject of a future article.
Five Elements of Art Explained
Dr. Wilson has forty years experience in education at the junior high school, graduate school, and community college. He is the author and co-author of textbooks in literary criticism and in the humanities. These include The Humanities, Contemporary Images, Butterflies and All That Jazz with Drs. James G Massey and Arthur J. Powell, and Window and Images, An Introduction to the Humanities, also with Massey and Powell.