Useful things to keep in mind whenever you're creating your artwork, or any other piece that involves design. These were referenced from a school sketchook, but did not have an arthur written to give proper credit.
L I N E S - an element that can express a mood or feeling.
(1) Spikes can add a dramatic and harsh mood.
(2) Curves on the other hand, soften things up, and adds an airy mood.
(3) Angular lines add a mechanical and maze-like feel.
V A L U E - is the difference between the light and darkness of an image.
It helps create depth, such as bringing things forward or backwards.
Jumping from an extreme light value to an extreme dark value adds a dramatic effect.
S H A P E / F O R M - areas that are enclosed by lines, either with a solid outline or vague shading.
(1) Space mainly applies to 2-D or flat images.
(2) Form or volume mainly applies with 3-D images with depth.
S P A C E - the look of depth in an area or dimension.
Positive space is occupied by an object. Whereas negative space is the space around that object.
(1) Tight space can be achieved by placing subjects close to one another and overlapping.
(2) Vast space can be achieved by having large emptiness around the subject.
T E X T U R E - what does the object feel and look like. These include something that is soft, smooth, bumpy, and rough.
Remember, art is not restrained by just visual elements. Try adding objects into your art, such as glueing feathers. This can add an actual soft texture you can physically touch.
(1) To get a solid, smooth texture, try adding a white reflection, or "glare."
(2) For a fuzzy feel, whip out tiny, fine lines along the edges.
PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN
B A L A N C E - how you place and lay things out onto your page.
(1) Have something from your right side connect with something on your left.
(2) If you add a large dominating subject in the corner, try adding more medium to smaller subjects around it, so it doesn't stick out as much.
This also applies with colors. Dark colors look heavier than lighter ones. So to balance it out, introduce medium shades throughout the piece.
M O V E M E N T - the motion that appears in your art using lines especially. What moves your eyes from one place to another. Up and down, right to left.
(1) Rythm can usually be achieved by repition or patterns. Lower points add a slower rythm, whereas high peaks and slants add quicker ones.
(2) Adding "motion lines" can also imitate movement. Curved motion lines usually indicate shaking or rolling.
E M P H A S I S - the accent pieces in your image. What you want the centre of attention and focus on.
(1) Using colors to frame a subject is a method to create emphasis, especially with contrasting shades.
(2) Also adding a clear area amongst clusters, a mess or any busy movement so that there is a clear focus point.
