There are some basic terms used to describe the elements of drawing.  Actually, these terms are common to all types of art. These include composition, forms, and formal analysis.  Composition is the arrangement of the elements or parts of a work of art.  The individual objects or parts are often known as forms, however the term form is also used to describe the total character of the entire composition.  The composition of works of art is known as formal analysis.  This involves taking apart a piece of art and studying the basic shapes that are reflected in the whole. 

 

 

Formal Analysis

Formal analysis is helpful to the artist who is just beginning because by studying great works you will be able to see the ways in which other artists worked out the difficulties of capturing a model or subject on canvas or paper.

 

Line

In drawing, the fundamental tool is a line.  It may be even or it may varying in width over its length.  The line can suggest shadow and light, mass, and texture.  A line can even have its own character such as a smooth curve or a nervous scribble.  Lines help to describe the subject of the drawing.  Lines which are jagged may express anxiety.  Lines quickly drawn may express activity.  Wavy lines may suggest tranquility.  Part of the development which you will gain as you study will be the knowledge of how to control lines.

 

Motion in line - There are at least two ways in which a line can reflect motion.  A line can suggest actual movement such as the waves of an ocean, or a line may imply motion due to its relationship with other lines.  Stability is shown by vertical and horizontal lines.  Diagonal lines seem to move in the direction in which they are leaning.

 

Curved lines seem to move in the direction in which they push.  The effect of movement will be enhanced by increasing the thickness of the line.  This is also true of angles as they appear to move toward the apex of the angle. 

 

Line and space - One of the problems which must be solved in drawings is that of creating an illusion of depth to the drawing.  One way to accomplish this is to create perspective in the picture by the use of an imaginary point called a vanishing point somewhere in the background of the picture.  This is usually found on the horizon.  You can use one vanishing point or several, depending upon the subject and composition.

 

Line and emotion - Different types of lines seem to have different characters.  This is also caused by the nature of the medium which you have chosen, however it is true even if the lines are drawn using the same medium.  You should experiment which various types of mediums to create various types of lines.  Determine what time of effect this gives in your compositions.  This will help you learn to create and use lines which expressive the emotion you want to portray.

 

 

Shape

Artists tend to disagree over the meaning of three terms, namely shape, form and mass.  A shape is any area which has clear boundaries.  The shape can be clumsy, fluid, rigid or graceful.  Shape has only two dimensions width and length.  You can gain an illusion of depth with a shape by overlapping them or positioning them.

 

Form is a wider term.  Form can include a shape, but also will include related shapes and shadows so that a coherent whole is created. 

 

In order to have mass, depth is required unless the subject appears on its edge.  Mass will be characterized by roundness or thickness.  The effects of mass are portrayed through the use of shadows and highlights as well as by the shape placement.

 

Each shape will describe the space both within and around the shape.  If you consider shapes as both a positive shape which is the space with the shape and a negative shape, which is the space around the shape it will help you view your subject in such a way as your will overcome the two-dimensional look.

 

 

Value

Variations in value or tone are variations in lightness and darkness.  The value helps to define shape, to express feelings, emphasize special parts and to create mass.  Modeled shadow and light can be utilized to portray texture and shape of the subject and can subtly or dramatically provide emphasis to various parts.  When dark and light shadows are contrasted, they are given the Italian name of chiaroscuro.

 

 

Texture

Texture is found on every object and is the pattern of contrasting surfaces.  The surface may be soft, hard, smooth or rough.  Drawing seeks to capture texture by using shading techniques of various types.  These can include strippling, hatching, curved lines, dots or scratches, pencil edge, heavy conte' washing with a brush, smudging the finger or thumb, and cross hatching.  Using crayon, charcoal or pencil you can shade with the side of the tool you are using to draw.  If you prefer, a finger to smudge the lines. An eraser will spread as well as lighten lines.  These techniques provide volume and texture to the subject and consequently volume. 

 

An understanding of the terms texture, value, shape,form and mass, as well as line and emotion and line and space can help you to look in at your subjects in an entirely different way. 

 

Once you understand what each term means and how to identify their appearance in the masterpieces of drawing which you are hopefully studying, you will have a better understanding of why the artist used a particular feature with a particular situation.

 

As you practice their various options in your own work, you should make a conscious effort to plan the organization of the drawing.  You may get ideas from art textbooks, art classes and individual one-on-one lessons.