Line: A mark made by a moving point, long and thin
Shape: A flat, enclosed area with height and width
Form: A shape with three dimensions: height, width and depth
Color: What we see when light bounces off an object
Value: How light or dark a color is
Texture: How a surface feels or looks like it feels
Space: The area around, between and inside things in art
Positive space: The area taken up by the main subject
Negative space: The empty area around the subject
Geometric shape: A regular shape like a circle, square or triangle
Organic shape: A free-flowing, irregular shape like a leaf or cloud
Horizontal line: A line that goes side to side, feels calm
Vertical line: A line that goes up and down, feels tall and strong
Diagonal line: A slanted line, feels active and moving
Curved line: A line that bends, feels soft and flowing
Zigzag line: A line made of sharp angles, feels energetic
Contour line: A line that outlines the edge of a shape
Implied line: A line suggested by the way objects are arranged, not drawn
Hue: The name of a color
Tint: A color mixed with white
Shade: A color mixed with black
Tone: A color mixed with gray
Intensity (saturation): How bright or dull a color is
Actual texture: Texture you can truly feel
Visual texture: Texture that is only drawn to look real
Perspective: A way to show depth on a flat surface
Foreground: The part of a picture closest to the viewer
Middle ground: The middle part of a picture
Background: The part of a picture farthest from the viewer
Overlapping: Placing one object in front of another to show depth
Principles of design: Ways artists organize the elements
Balance: How the visual weight is spread in an artwork
Symmetrical balance: Both sides are mirror images
Asymmetrical balance: Sides differ but still feel balanced
Radial balance: Parts spread out from a center point
Contrast: Differences such as light and dark that make things stand out
Emphasis: Making one part of the work the focus
Focal point: The place the eye goes first
Movement: How the eye is led through an artwork
Rhythm: Repeated elements that create a beat
Pattern: A repeated design of lines, shapes or colors
Repetition: Using an element again and again
Variety: Using different elements to make interest
Unity: When all parts of an artwork feel like they belong together
Harmony: Using similar elements to create calm unity
Proportion: How the sizes of parts relate to each other
Scale: The size of an object compared to others or to the viewer
Composition: How the parts of an artwork are arranged
Gradation: A gradual change in color, size or value
Rule of thirds: Placing key parts along lines dividing the picture into thirds
Medium: The material an artist uses, like watercolor or clay
Subject: What an artwork is about
Abstract art: Art that does not show things as they look in real life
Realism: Art that shows subjects as they really look
Representational art: Art showing recognizable things
Still life: A picture of objects that do not move
Landscape: A picture of outdoor scenery
Portrait: A picture of a person
Self-portrait: A picture an artist makes of themselves
Seascape: A picture of the sea
Cityscape: A picture of a city
Mural: A large painting made on a wall

Free flashcards from Peabody at peabody.kids/flashcards/art-elements-and-principles