Art Bites

Art Bites is a continuing series of short subjects designed to help the reader better understand and appreciate art.
Art Bites starts the series with a discussion of "Line", the first of the 5 elements of art.
 
What message is the Artist giving you?
Artists are giving you a message and the artist's work is something you can 'read' like a book. However, artists don't use words, sentences or paragraphs. We would call them authors if they did!
 
How is the message communicated?
Artists communicate their messages to us using the "elements of art" instead. Sometimes the message is loud and clear for us to see, even at a glance. Sometimes the message is so subtle it's easily missed. These "elements of art" surround our life. Artists make use of these elements in a classical sense, or they can ignore them if they choose. So what are these elements of art?
 
What are the elements of Art?
Five elements of art are Line, Shape, Color, Texture, and Perspective.
Art Bites will discuss each of the 5 elements during this series.
 
We begin the Art Bite Series with LINE
You can't put a pencil, pen or brush to paper without making some kind of line. It can be curvy, straight, zigzag, clear, or blurry. Lines have meaning and provide information. Click here for examples illustrating various uses of LINE.
 
The Art Bite Series continues with SHAPE
Shapes are built from lines. These shapes can be round, square, rectangular, and triangular. All shapes have their distinct interpretation. Click here for examples illustrating various uses of SHAPE.
 
Our next "Art Bites" topic will be "Color".
Watch our web site for this update.
 
Editor's Note: Art Bites was written by Diane Stoiber, a long time art docent for a major Silicon Valley Art Museum. Permission to use Art Bites was granted to the Rotary Club of Saratoga.
 
Did you enjoy Art Bites? Please send your comments to Art Bites.