7 Principles of Art

Throughout my years of painting and study I have come to the belief there are 7 fundamental principles of representational art. They are:

1. Idea – the concept behind the painting
2. Composition – the arrangement of elements within a space
3. Drawing – the accurate representation of form, proportions and perspective
4. Value – the relative degree of light or dark
5. Color – the relative degree of hue, temperature and saturation; color theory and usage
6. Edges – where two forms or brushstrokes meet, cross or overlay
7. Paint Manipulation - how the paint is applied to a surface

Within each of these principles there are sub-principles. These are called properties or elements. For instance, the elements of Composition include Abstract Pattern, Focal Area, Balance, Unity, and Leading Lines. The Properties of Color include: Hue, Temperature, Intensity/Saturation and Value. And even within these elements or properties I can sometimes subdivide it further.

Over the course of this blog I hope to discuss these principles with others, to gather their insights and to share my own, so we can all learn more about how and why we work and grow as artists. I am certain these will not be the only ideas discussed, but I intend to come back to them now and again, as I believe these are the fundamentals of what we do.

Note: Abstract/Expressionist art has only 6 principles. Drawing is of little to no concern for them, but the other principles still apply.