Doing art with kids at home or in the classroom? Then you will want to think about the 7 elements of art! Explore what the 7 elements of art are, why they are important and helpful tips for how to teach them to kids. Plus, you’ll find examples of fun and easy art projects you can use! Make sure to download the free 7 Elements of Art printable below.
The 7 Elements Of Art
The elements of art are characteristics that are observable in all kinds of artwork. The 7 elements of art are line, shape, form, space, texture, value, and color. Any good artwork will include these 7 elements.
Check out this tape-resist rainbow art project that explores various art elements in a simple yet effective way!
Elements of Art Line
The line is one of the most basic but essential components of art! It is considered a primary design element and the foundation of all drawings. Lines have different styles, shapes, sizes, and directions. Additionally, they can be of different thicknesses, which creates various effects.
There are many different types of lines.
- Continuous Lines
- Broken Lines
- Jagged Lines
- Vertical Lines
- Horizontal Lines
- Diagonal Lines
- Zig Zag Lines
- Curly Lines
🎨 Try it! Line Art With Keith Haring and printable Keith Haring Art for kids!
Elements of Art Shapes
When a line meets up it forms a shape. Shapes are flat or 2-dimensional and can only be measured by height and length. There are all kinds of shapes.
Geometric shapes have straight lines, angles and points, and curves. Examples of geometric shapes include circles, squares, rectangles, and triangles.
🎨 Try it! Geometric Shapes In Mondrian Art or Silhouette Art
Organic shapes are shapes that have no defined angles or standard lines. They are often found in nature, like the shape of cloud or a feather. In art, organic shapes can make artwork look more realistic or natural.
🎨 Try it! Shapes and Stories
Elements of Art Form
Form is where shapes become 3-dimensional and can be measured by width, height, and length. Geometric forms include spheres, cubes, prisms, and pyramids. Organic forms are free-flowing and appear more natural.
A painting or drawing can be given the illusion of form by using techniques such as shading or highlighting and the element of texture.
🎨 Try it! Salvador Dali Art Project
Elements of Art Space
Space refers to the depth, real or perceived, and the general surface area within a work of art. Space is important because it can be used to draw attention to focal points of the artwork, or give the illusion of a 3-dimensional space.
Space can be positive or negative, open or closed, shallow or deep, and 2-dimensional or 3-dimensional.
Positive space is the area occupied by the subject or subjects. Negative space is the area around the subject or subjects. 3-dimensional space refers to techniques that transform a 2-dimensional space into a 3-dimensional one, which can make the artwork look more realistic.
🎨 Try it! Negative Space With Leaf Painting
Elements of Art Texture
Texture refers to how a surface feels or looks in two-dimensional works such as paintings. It can be created using materials like paint, paper, metal, clay, or everyday objects like fabric or leaves. Textures can also be implied through brushstrokes, lines, patterns, and colors.
Texture is essential for evoking emotion, creating an atmosphere, adding depth, and making a subject look realistic.
🎨 Try it! Cardboard Texture Art Project
Elements of Art Value
The value element in art refers to how light or dark a color appears. Differences in value are called contrast, with white being the lightest value and black the darkest. Whether you are using acrylic paints, watercolors, pastels, or even markers, a shift in the value of a color can communicate a light source or a lack of light (nighttime), focal point, and depth.
🎨 Try it! Coffee Painting Starry Night Project
Elements of Art Color
Color may be the element of art that has the strongest effect on our emotions. Color is great for creating the mood and atmosphere of an artwork.
Three main characteristics of color to consider are hue (red, green, blue, etc.), value (how light or dark it is), and intensity (how bright or dull it is). Depending on which end of the color spectrum they fall on, colors can be described as warm (red, yellow) or cool (blue, gray).
🎨 Try it! Color in Pop Art
Grab your FREE Elements of Art Projects Guide!
Try these fun activities to learn about the seven elements of art! Print the free 7 Elements of Art activity guide.
Fun Art Projects That Teach The Elements Of Art
Don’t forget to grab the free printable above so you can have a list of these art projects all in one place!
Zentangle Art– Line
Combine zentangle patterns and tessellations for a fun art activity for kids using lines!
Flower Art– Shape
Combine bright colorful shapes to create a fun vase of flowers inspired by famous artist, Henri Matisse!
Paper Sculptures – Form
Create your own paper sculptures! A sculpture made from simple shapes is perfect for exploring the element of form.
Ice Cream Art – Space
Learn about space in art with this famous artist inspired project using the technique of overlapping!
Bubble Wrap Painting – Texture
Have you ever thought of painting with bubble wrap? Create colorful textured art inspired by famous artist, Alma Thomas!
Pastels Flower Painting – Value
O’Keeffe, flowers, and pastels are perfect for a simple value project that gets kids exploring famous artists!
Paint A Color Wheel – Color
Learn how to make Skittles paint and explore a simple color wheel activity for easy art any day.
Hands-On Art Lessons for the 7 Elements of Art
Want to help kids really see and use the elements of art? These hands-on lessons are a fun and easy way to explore each element with real projects that don’t require fancy materials!
| Element | Project Idea | How It Helps |
|---|---|---|
| Line | Keith Haring Line Art | Kids experiment with bold, continuous, and zigzag lines inspired by the movement in Haring’s art. |
| Shape | Matisse Flower Collage | Use colorful cut paper shapes to create organic and geometric flower designs. |
| Form | Paper Sculptures | Learn the difference between flat shapes and 3D forms by folding, twisting, and curling paper. |
| Space | Ice Cream Overlap Art | Explore positive and negative space by stacking scoops and cones with depth and perspective. |
| Texture | Bubble Wrap Prints | Print with textured materials to create fun, raised designs using paint and recycled items. |
| Value | Pastel O’Keeffe Flowers | Shade and blend light to dark using pastels to give flowers depth and contrast. |
| Color | Skittles Color Wheel | Make paint from candy and mix primary colors to explore hue, intensity, and value. |
FAQ: Teaching the 7 Elements of Art
What are the 7 elements of art for kids?
The 7 elements of art are line, shape, form, space, texture, value, and color. These are the fundamental building blocks used to create any artwork, ranging from simple drawings to intricate paintings and sculptures.
Why are the elements of art important to teach?
Understanding the elements of art gives art the tools to create and discuss art more confidently. It also builds observation, problem-solving, and fine motor skills through creative play.
What’s the best age to start teaching the elements of art?
Kids in early elementary grades (K–3) are the perfect age to begin learning about the elements of art. You can introduce concepts simply and build on them with hands-on projects as they grow.
What’s an easy way to teach each element?
Use a project-based approach! Each of the seven elements can be introduced through a fun activity—drawing lines, mixing colors, printing textures, or building simple 3D forms with paper. You’ll find examples above!
Do I need an art background to teach the elements of art?
Not at all! Anyone can teach the elements of art. With simple materials, easy-to-follow instructions, and printable guides like the one included here, anyone can set up successful art lessons at home or in the classroom.
Printable 7 Elements Art Pack
Explore the Seven Elements of Art through hands-on activities and easy-to-understand information pages. This pack is suitable for elementary and middle school students.
- A project sheet for the seven elements of art and what they are with matching projects unique to this project pack is complete with instructions, images, and templates. (Plus, an additional complete pack of the projects listed in the link above.)
- An easy-to-read information page for each element of art. Learn all about each element.
- Why teach the seven elements of art information page? Handy tips page.
