Wednesday, May 16, 2012

wow messing with elements

I'm still reorganizing the studio.  And I'm beginning to make the switch from playing around to serious, well, sort of, art.


This section is on the elements of design,  Elizabeth listed them as line, form, shape, space, texture and next session we'll add colour.
Just like in school we do not master every thing in kindergarten but keep adding to the basics as we progress. A masters is a program specializing in something.  So I'm continuiing to 'master' design elements and their principles.  It is a tad confusing because they  are inter-related and often work in pairs. There are different lists of basic elements as well.  I really think that one must get one's own understanding because in order to gain mastery one must become familiar and make the process one's own.

I learned that line is the strongest.

Then I came across this quote which helps me organize the elements a bit better. 



Without line, there is no shape.  (shape can be geomeric which is generally man made or organic which are nature shapes)



Without shape, there is no form.  (this was the hardest for me until I understood that form has mass and volume, 3D so to speak, and shadows add to  that feeling)



Without form, there is no texture.  And there can be no pattern.   (texture can be visual or actual)


My theme book often looses its effect when I get into study mode so again, I'll be going back later to get a more cohesive feel.  I tried the glue for the water cycle and it didn't seem to work as well as the first time I used it for texture.  Not sure why, but I got a better understanding of elements after I had almost finished this page. ;^)
I'm linking up to TN&TN

13 comments:

Susan J Barker said...

Whewf! That is a big post with lotsa words that take some thought... Some of these are intuitive and when an explaination is made of them they can be confusing, until you again apply your intuition to form, shape, texture...

Marjorie's Busy Corner said...

Interesting post Elle...sounds like you are really enjoying it. Good for you!

Createology said...

I am so glad you are in this master's program and not me. Too much thinking for my brain. I might be more of the kindergarten fingerpainter without any thought to what I am creating. ROFL
Your books are amazing and will be such a treasure for years to come. Blissful Art Dear...

greelyrita said...

Are these books you show about your art program, your notebooks or your textbooks? They are lovely.

Dandelion and Daisy said...

Wow! You WILL have a masters when finished. I admire your hard work and I'm learning from you! You explain things well.

M-R Charbonneau said...

Nice! That is a great quote and one I'll try to remember. Great work on you book, Elle!

SandeeNC said...

It's funny how something really simple, when thought about, can turn into something so complex! My motto, is not to over think anything! lol Some people could call that simple minded, alas, the plight of the unchallenged! lol Great pages, looks like you're doing a great job! waving hi from the hills of North Carolina :)

Mrs.Pickles said...

sounds like you are giving your brain a good work out!!

Anonymous said...

Working hard! Are these altered books that you are working on?

PrairiePeasant said...

"In order to gain mastery one must become familiar and make the process one's own." So true! Thanks for sharing!

paulaexuk said...

Wonderful progression through the elements Elle. Thank you for the quotation, it does put all the elements into an order and gives each a purpose. Haven't seen the water cycle since I was at school, thanks for the memories it created.

Regina said...

Quite impressing thought processes, very intimidating.

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

YOU should have taught this lesson. I'm almost wishing I had left it to you to teach, because you really DID put it all together. Super impressive presentation of all these elements. And, you are right. They often work in pairs and EVERY spread that has several of these elements. Way to GO!!

Sorry I'm late visiting here. I have not been around at all this week. And I thought getting ready for my friend's visit was time consuming!