SECTION 2

 The LANGUAGE of ART

The terms (and their meanings) that come together to organize and activate the artist's creative plane  are known as the Formal ELEMENTS and Formal PRINCIPLES of visual expression.  These terms can be simple in definition but both sophisticated and complex in their creative application.

The Formal ELEMENTS of visual expression are LINE ,SHAPE, VOLUMETRIC FORM, TEXTURE, and COLOR .
They work at the basic level of both the creating of visual art and the interpretation of visual art and could be called the "work horses: of visual creativity. Although the formal elements work at the basic level they are fundamental to the overall development of the art piece.  THEY WORK TOGETHER AS A TEAM TO DETERMINE THE FORMAL PRINCIPLES of that specific work of art.

The Formal PRINCIPLES of visual expression are:STRUCTURE ,SPACE, and RHYTHM.
 

The Elements of Visual Expression

LINE           Line is a mark in space that is longer than it is wide.
                   Line is the most basic of all visual tools.

For another definition of line: 
http://pete.pomona.edu/visual-lit/line/line.HTML

As young children  we begin to use line to define our world.  Most of us experimented with crayon lines on a blank wall or the living room sofa before we were confined to a small sheet of paper.  When we entered school age we used lines to print our names or other letters in the alphabet.  As mature artists we will use line to express movement, organize and contain space, and to define.
 

Directional Lines  History and society has given certain emotional and physical association to line direction.  The knowledge of this association will help us begin to understand  visual expression.

     Vertical line     Straight vertical lines suggest stability, dignity, and strength.   When early humankind ventured out of
                                the cave and met the tall, straight trees of the forest the association must have taken place.  The trees
                                had stood for generations before any group of humans lived among them.  Humankind quickly
                                understood that the task of felling the tall tree would take the team efforts of the whole group using all of
                                its strength, cunning, and technology. Without this team effort tree, because of its stability and strength,
                                would stand for generations beyond the life span of the group.  And because of this stability and 
                                strength the tree earned dignity.  Modern day architects understood that early human awe and respect 
                                for the tall, vertical tree when they designed the skyscraper to house corporate head quarters 
                                and banks.

     Horizontal line    Horizontal lines are associated with rest and tranquility .  Society has endowed the horizontal format
                                with calmness as we usually sleep in a horizontal position. 

     Diagonal line   Diagonal lines suggest movement.  Why?  In relation to the ground what direction do you find your
                                body when it is in motion?  Usually much of your body will be diagonal to the ground.  Also the
                               diagonal line asks our eye to move fairly fast.   Gravity will pull the sled quickly down a steep (diagonal)
                                hillside
                                but without force it will hold the sled still on a flat (horizontal) ground.  A zigzag line will lead the eye
                                back and forth at speed that emotionally it can set up an agitated state.

    Curved line         Curved lines suggest gracefulness. The curved line is inherently fluid and graceful.  The shortest
                                distance between two points is a straight line.  When our eyes meet a curved line we tend to take
                                a longer viewing time.  Artists will use the curved line to discuss slow, graceful movement and quiet
                                tenderness.

What happens when we combine a variety of directional lines in one work of art?
 

TYPES OF LINES

There are several line types that artists will use to give the work of art different meanings of feelings. 

    Outline              Outline defines the outer edge of a two-dimentional generalized shape, or the place where one shape 
                                ends and another begins. Outline is the most basic form of linear expression. 

    Contour Line      Contour line goes beyond the defining the two-dimentional outside boundary of a shape to describe 
                                the illusion of the third dimension. 

    Gestural Line     Gestural line is usually a line with varying widths that describes a sense of action. 

    Implied Line       Implied lines are basically invisible and depend on our imagination to fill in the blanks.  Visual 
                                information in a work can set up a direction or path for the eye to follow developing one or more 
                                implied lines. 

    Organizational Lines    Organizational lines organize the parts of a work into a cohesive unit.  Organizational lines 
                                may be difficult to see at a close up glance.  If the work is viewed from a distance the organizational 
                                lines will be felt as because of their proper application the work will be balanced. 
 

USES AND PURPOSES OF LINES

Lines are the artist's shorthand.  They quickly define an idea in a visual expression.  They can discuss and establish size, shape, or a three-dimentional volume.  They also imply movements and organize a work into a structured and unified whole. 

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