Art Glossary: Elements of Painting

Definition:

The elements of painting are the basic components or building blocks of a painting (and art generally). In Western art they are generally considered to be:

• Color
• Tone (or value)
• Line (a narrow mark made by a brush, or a line created where two things meet)
• Shape (2D, can be positive or negative) and Form (3D)
• Space (or volume)
• Texture (or pattern)

Sometimes these elements are also added to the list:

• Composition
• Direction (vertical, horizontal, angled)
• Size
• Time and movement (how the viewer perceives and looks at the painting)

More Explanations:
• Getty Museum: The Elements of Art
• About.com Art History: Elements of Art