How do I add meaning or mood to my artwork?
Use the Elements of Art!
Line
Horizontal: restful, calm, quiet, stable, relaxed,
Vertical: power, strong, serious, stable, growth
Diagonal: Movement, energy, unstable, lively, exciting
Zig-Zag: energy, hectic, angry
Curved: quirky, fun, flowing, soothing
Shape:
Geometric: orderly, man-made, precise, rigid
Organic: unique, flowing, natural, spirited, informal
Value:
Light values: soft, delicate, airy, innocent, subtle
Dark values: ominous, grim, creepy, dark, scary, strong
Texture:
Matte: Dull, boring, flat, plain, quiet
Shiny: Flashy, radiant, reflective, flashy, happy, bright
Smooth: calm, gentle, comfy, soft, bold
Rough: prickly, gritty, agitated, harsh, repulsive
Color:
Hue:
White: innocence, calm, clean, happy, purity, quiet
Black: dark, sophisticated, evil, scary, bold
Grey: boring, neutral, stormy, gloomy, dull
Intensity:
Bright: enthusiastic, happy, intense, excited, bold
Dull: lonely, dull, boring, sad, dreary
Color Scheme:
Monochromatic/Analogous colors: plain, peaceful, calm, simple, formal, quiet
Complimentary/Triad: vibrant, loud, informal, lively
Line
Horizontal: restful, calm, quiet, stable, relaxed,
Vertical: power, strong, serious, stable, growth
Diagonal: Movement, energy, unstable, lively, exciting
Zig-Zag: energy, hectic, angry
Curved: quirky, fun, flowing, soothing
Shape:
Geometric: orderly, man-made, precise, rigid
Organic: unique, flowing, natural, spirited, informal
Value:
Light values: soft, delicate, airy, innocent, subtle
Dark values: ominous, grim, creepy, dark, scary, strong
Texture:
Matte: Dull, boring, flat, plain, quiet
Shiny: Flashy, radiant, reflective, flashy, happy, bright
Smooth: calm, gentle, comfy, soft, bold
Rough: prickly, gritty, agitated, harsh, repulsive
Color:
Hue:
White: innocence, calm, clean, happy, purity, quiet
Black: dark, sophisticated, evil, scary, bold
Grey: boring, neutral, stormy, gloomy, dull
Intensity:
Bright: enthusiastic, happy, intense, excited, bold
Dull: lonely, dull, boring, sad, dreary
Color Scheme:
Monochromatic/Analogous colors: plain, peaceful, calm, simple, formal, quiet
Complimentary/Triad: vibrant, loud, informal, lively