Among the many topics covered by arts-integration educators at Arts Academy in the Woods are the 7 elements of art.
While many students in the visual arts already use these elements naturally without realizing it, learning them in depth adds extra texture, dimension, and interest to their artwork.
Plus, having this deeper understanding allows them to thrive in the arts-related job market once they graduate.
The 7 Elements of Art
The seven elements of art are the essential building blocks for visual artists to create meaningful work that has a real impact. They are as follows:
1. Line
The most basic element is the line. Without lines, there would be no other elements.
Teachers at AAW help students understand a line as a moving dot. When the dots overlap, they create a line. When they don’t, it’s a dotted line.
Lines serve many purposes. A line is finite and it creates an edge.
They can describe two-dimensional shapes as well as three-dimensional forms. They evoke emotion and a sense of movement. In addition, they create value which shows the direction of light.
Depending on the intended effect of the artist, lines can straight, curved, zigzag, horizontal, diagonal, vertical, three-dimensional, and even imaginary.
2. Shape
When lines meet up with one another to enclose a space, they make a shape. There are structured and precise geometric shapes such as squares, circles, and triangles. But there are also more irregular and natural shapes which are organic such as clouds or flowers. Arts educators at AAW teach students how to use shapes to create focal points, establish a sense of balance, or convey meaning.
Along with geometric and organic shapes, there can also be positive and negative shapes. A positive shape would be the depiction of a vase, for example, while the negative shape would be the space surrounding it. 
3. Form
Form takes visual art to the next level by giving it three-dimensionality. Like shapes, forms can be geometric or organic. Unlike shapes, however, forms have width, depth, and height.
As students become more advanced with their drawing and painting skills, they learn the tricks, as it were, to create the illusion of three dimensions. This technique is known as trompe l’oeil and it’s achieved using tools like color, contour lines, and shading.
4. Space
Space is what lies between, around, or within an object. Students at AAW learn how to use space to create depth, establish perspective, and organize their paintings or drawings. They are taught effective ways to create a sense of distance, intimacy, or vastness in their pieces.
For instance, painting or drawing one object on top of another implies there must be a space between them. Or placing objects higher up in the picture appear to be farther away than those lower in the composition. And larger objects appear closer than smaller objects.
Another way to indicate space between objects is to use less detail in an object that is farther away and more detail in one that’s closer. Also, objects in the distance often appear cooler in color, while those warmer in color indicate they are closer.
And just as there are positive and negative shapes, so too is there positive and negative space.
5. Value
The simplest way to explain value is how light or dark something is. AAW teachers instruct students in methods to use value to portray light and form.
Working from a scale of pure white through pitch black, students learn about increasing differences in value to provide contrast. A highlight will appear brighter when surrounded by a dark value. The way value changes also determines the form of the object. A gradual transition conveys a rounded or soft edge while a rapid transition demonstrates a sharp or hard edge.
6. Color
It’s strange to think that color exists only when light is reflected into the viewer’s eye. Perhaps because of this intimate connection with the brain, it’s a powerful device to evoke emotions, convey symbolism, and establish a mood. There is even color psychology.
Color has a value and falls on the scale from light to dark. While purple would be at the bottom end (dark), yellow is closer to the top (light).
Students also learn the involved intricacies of color theory and the color wheel.
7. Texture
Attempting to convey texture on an otherwise flat surface is challenging. Yet, once students at AAW begin to experiment with texture to add interest and atmosphere to their work, they’re amazed at the complexity it provides.
Texture is usually achieved through the careful use of value and specific marks and/or brush strokes that mimic the desired texture. It’s also possible to create three-dimensional texture by using specific compounds that result in a raised surface.
Does Your Child Hunger for the Arts?
Does your child forever have his/her/their head in a sketchbook drawing or painting? If so, they could be the perfect fit for our school.
So give them the chance they deserve to thrive. Contact us today to request a tour of our school.
Soon enough, they could be learning the 7 elements of art that will make their work come to life and give them an edge in the art-related job market down the road.