2012-2013 JDSP Teacher Resource Packet - Milwaukee Art Museum

Tour 3: Elements of Art 2
Background
The elements of art are the basic visual factors or vocabulary common to all that we see.
They are the ingredients that artists use to create a work of art. This tour will examine
texture and space in works of art.
Objectives
Recognize and discuss the elements of texture and space in two-dimensional and
three-dimensional works of art.
Develop vocabulary for looking at and discussing visual art.
Engage in activities that involve touching real objects and that incorporate physical
movement, music, and poetry, when possible.
Texture
Space
Texture is the surface quality of objects that appeals to the tactile and visual
senses; it can be both real and implied. It is the physical surface structure of a
material. Real textures are those that can be touched. Implied textures are
those that are simulated, or invented—that have the appearance of a surface
character.
Space defines shapes and masses and is in turn shaped by it. In art, space
refers to the three-dimensionality of sculpture and architecture. It also refers
to the sense of depth in a two-dimensional artwork. Space is the interval
between pre-established points in two-dimensional and three-dimensional
works of art.
In a two-dimensional work of art, an artist uses various devices to achieve the
illusion of logical space on the flat surface, among them, scale (linear
perspective), such as making a house larger than an apple, and color
(atmospheric perspective), because dark colors appear to recede, while
lighter colors seemingly advance toward the eye. Every work of art, whether a
painting, sculpture, building, or photograph, is made of positive and negative
spaces (actual or implied). Positive spaces are the tangible, actual aspects.
Negative spaces are the areas that either surround the positive spaces or
exist between them—the “empty” areas.
Primary Point
The elements of art can be thought of as the building blocks of a work. Texture (simulated
or invented, tactile and visual) and space (two-dimensional and three-dimensional) are two
such elements. An artist combines the elements of art to communicate their message.
When discussing an element of art, docents will refer to it through the principles of art, such
as emphasis through texture or movement through space.
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© 2012 Milwaukee Art Museum 700 N. Art Museum Dr. Milwaukee, WI 53202
JDSP – Teacher Packet