THE ELEMENTS OF DESIGN

LINE
Line can be considered in two ways. The linear marks made with a pen or brush or the edge created when two shapes meet.

SHAPE
A shape is a self contained defined area of geometric or organic form. A positive shape in a painting automatically creates a negative shape.

DIRECTION
All lines have direction - Horizontal, Vertical or Oblique. Horizontal suggests calmness, stability and tranquillity. Vertical gives a feeling of balance, formality and alertness. Oblique suggests movement and action

SIZE
Size is simply the relationship of the area occupied by one shape to that of another.

TEXTURE
Texture is the surface quality of a shape - rough, smooth, soft hard glossy etc. Texture can be physical (tactile) or visual.

COLOUR
There are three main components of colour:
Hue: Where the color is positioned on the colour wheel. Terms such as red, blue, green and mauve all define the hue of a given colour.

Value: The general lightness or darkness of a color. In general, how close to black or white a given color is.

Saturation: The intensity, or level of chroma, of a color. The more gray a color has in it, the less chroma it has.

VALUE
Value is the lightness or darkness of a colour. Value is also called Tone