Elements of Visual Language: COLOUR

Light reflected off objects. 

1. Colour has three main characteristics:

• HUE (red, green, blue, etc.) ----> Tono 

• VALUE (how light or dark it is) ----> Valor 

• INTENSITY (how bright or dull it is) ----> Saturación.

    2. Colours can be described as warm (red, yellow) or cool (blue, gray), depending on which end of the colour spectrum they fall.

    3. Value describes the brightness of colour. Artists use colour value to create different moods (estados de ánimo).

• Dark colours in a composition suggest a lack of light, as in a night or interior scene. Dark colours can  often convey a sense of mystery or foreboding. 

• Light colours often describe a light source or light reflected within the composition. 

    4. Intensity describes the purity or strength of a colour.

    5. Bright colours are undiluted and are often associated with positive energy and heightened emotions.

    6. Dull colours have been diluted by mixing with other colours and create a sedate or serious mood. (Apagado ) 

Elements of Visual Language: VALUE

Value is the degree of light and dark in a design. 

It is the contrast between black and white and all the tones in between.

Value can be used with colour as well as black and white. Contrast is the extreme changes between values.

Elements of Visual Language: SPACE

Space in a work of art refers: 

A) to a feeling of depth or three dimensions. (Real space is three-dimensional).

• The illusion of space is achieved through perspective drawing techniques and shading in Western tradition. 

B) to the artist's use of the area within the picture plane.

• The area around the primary objects in a work of art is known as negative space, while the space occupied by the primary objects is known as positive space. 

Elements of Visual Language: SHAPE AND FORM

Shape and Form define objects in space.

• Shapes have two dimensions–height and width–and are usually defined by lines, which can provide its contour.

• Forms exist in three dimensions, with height, width, and depth. Three-dimensional form is the basis of sculpture, furniture, and decorative arts. Three-dimensional forms can be seen from more than one side.

Elements of Visual Language: LINE

A line is an identifiable path created by a point moving in space. 

 

• It is one-dimensional and can vary in width, direction, and length. Lines often define the edges of a form. 

• Lines can be horizontal, vertical, or diagonal, straight or curved, thick or thin. 

• They lead your eye around the composition and can communicate information through their character and direction. 

• Pay attention to the implied line in-between shapes.