PRINCIPALS of DESIGN - TEXTURE (2 of 16)

The principles of design are the fundamental parts of an artwork.  Identifying these principals is one way to understand an artwork.

#2 - TEXTURE

       Texture refers to the tactile qualities of a surface -- the way objects actually feel or the way they look like they would feel.

       Sculptures, ceramics, mixed-media collages, fiber art, etc., may have bumpy or varied surfaces - actual textures you can feel.  A painting, drawing, print, or other two-dimensional work can be made to look like a textured surface - implied texture.  

Great example of line work in art:

Jan Van Eyck - Artist

Arnolfini Portrait, 1434

Art Share

Art Share #1

Elements of Art:

• LINE:  a line is a pathway, either visible of implied, that moves the eye through a piece of work.

• SHAPE:  shape is the two-dimensional area taken up by an object.

• FORM:  this element refers to the illusion of a three-dimensional object on a two-dimensional surface.

• VALUE:  value is the lightness or darkness of a color, or of black.

• TEXTURE:  texture in drawing or painting refers to the way we discern the qualitys of an object's surface.

• COLOR:  we all know what a "color" is, but not everyone realizes how an artist's choice of color impacts the viewer.  

• SPACE:  space is the area within the borders of your work; it is what fills the length, width, and perceied depth of a work or art.