In the Art Academy scheme of work we refer to the eight elements of art: Through their learning experiences, children should develop fluency in applying these elements to their creative endeavours.

 

The eight elements are:

• Line: The basic element of art, without lines no other element can exist. When a line joins up with itself to enclose a space it forms a shape. Lines have many different properties.

• Shape: Shape is a space enclosed by a line. Shapes are two-dimensional and can either be geometric or organic.

• Form: Form has depth and takes up three-dimensional space It is a three-dimensional shape and can be either be geometric or organic. Sculptures are forms.

• Colour: Colour is created by light reflecting off an object. (For this scheme of work we use colour instead of hue). All colours can be created from mixing the three primary colours (red, blue, yellow). Different tones of colour are used by adding white or black to a colour.

• Texture: Texture is the feel of an object. It can either be real and touched (as in sculpture, collage, textile work etc.) or can be implied through different artistic techniques (mainly in painting, drawing, and printing)

• Value: Value is the measure of how light or dark and object is. Artistic techniques such as shading or creating colour tones, changes the value.

• Space: Space is the distance around, between, above and below and within an object.

• Pattern: Pattern is creating a design by repeating other elements of art such as line, shape, colours.

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Colour Theory: Mixing colour is one of the most important skills of an artist. For primary school children, there are three areas which are fundamental knowledge:

• The colour wheel primary and secondary colours and mixing a range of colours.

• Colour harmony (complementary colours, colour families)

• How colours are used to create feelings and emotions.

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Developing children's knowledge and application of the elements of art are addressed in each unit of work. A separate presentation is included as part of the resources for each unit of work to allow teachers to consolidate children's knowledge of the elements of art and how they are used to create art.