Preface      8

Part 1  Elements                          13

Chapter 1  Points and Lines          15

Introduction                                                     16

Points                                                              20

Types of Line                                                   22

Line Direction                                                   24

      Box–De Stijl: Netherlands, 1917—32             25

      Box–Constructivism: Russia, 1919—34         26

Line Quality                                                      28

Lines and Outlines–Describing Shapes               30

      Box–Pop Art: England and America,
      1950—70s                                                   31

Contours, Wireframes, and Freeform
Gesture      32

Lines as Value–Cross-Hatching and
Screening  34

Imaginary Lines–Lost and Found Edges             36

      Box–Plakastil: Germany, 1900—21               37

      Exercises                                                   37

Chapter 2  Shape                                          39

Introduction                                                     40

Geometric and Rectilinear Shapes                       46

Curvilinear and Biomorphic Shapes                     48

      Box–Art Nouveau: France, Worldwide
      1890—1914                                                 49

Abstract and Non-representational
Shapes       50

      Box–Cubism: France, 1907—14                   51

Text and Type                                                  52

Positive and Negative Shapes                             54

Distortion and Idealism                                      56

      Box–The Renaissance: Italy,
      14th to 16th Century                                   57

      Exercises                                                   59

Chapter 3  Texture                             61

Introduction                                                     62

Tactile Texture                                                 66

Collage       68

      Box–Dada: Germany and Paris,
      1916—22                                                     70

Visual Texture                                                  72

Trompe L’oeil                                                  74

Pattern       76

      Exercises                                                   77

Chapter 4  Space–Creating the
Illusion of Depth                                          79

Introduction                                                     80

Space–Shallow and Deep                                 86

Size Cues  88

Linear Perspective                                             90

One-Point Perspective                                       94

Two-Point Perspective                                      96

Three-Point Perspective                                     98

Amplified and Aerial Perspective                       100

Metric Projections                                           102

      Box–Modernism: Worldwide,
      1890—1970                                               105

Open and Closed Compositions                         106

Spatial Confusion                                            108

      Exercises                                                  109

Chapter 5  Time and Motion                    111

Introduction                                                   112

      Box–Kinetic Art                                    112

Anticipated Motion                                  116

Repeated Figures                                             118

Multiple Images                                              120

      Box–Futurism: Italy, 1909—16                120

Motion Blur                                                    122

      Box–Abstract Expressionism: America,
      1940s—60s                                                123

      Exercises                                                  123

Chapter 6  Value                                       125

Introduction                                                   126

Patterns of Value                                             132

Chiaroscuro–Light and Shade                         134

Digital Shading and Lighting                             138

      Exercises                                                  141

Chapter 7  Color                                        143

Introduction                                                   144

      Box–Impressionism: France,
      1867—86                                                   147

What Is Color?                                               148

Color Characteristics                                       150

Color Theory–Wheels, Triangles,
      and Trees                                                 152

      Box–Bauhaus: Germany, 1919—33             152

Color Through the Ages                                   154

Color Printing, Computers, and the Web            158

Color Interactions                                           160

      Box–Pointillism: France, 1883—1900          160

Color Schemes                                               162

Using Color                                                    166

      Warm and cool                                         167

      Emphasis                                                  167

      Box–The Pre-Raphaelites: Britain,
      1848—60                                                   167

      Visual balance                                           168

      Space and depth                                        168

      Box–Fauvism: France, 1905—08                168

      Value    169

The Meaning of Color                                      170

      Exercises                                                  171

Part 2  Rules                                173

Chapter 8  Unity and Harmony                 175

Introduction                                                   176

Thematic Unity                                               180

Gestalt and Visual Unity                                   182

The Grid    184

Achieving Unity                                              186

      Exercises                                                  189

Chapter 9  Balance                                     191

Introduction                                                   192

Formal and Informal Balance                            196

Symmetrical and Asymmetrical Balance             198

Balance by Shape and Texture                          200

Balance by Value and Color                              202

Balance by Position and Eye Direction               204

Radial Balance                                                 206

Crystallographic Balance                                  208

      Exercises                                                  209

Chapter 10  Scale and Proportion            211

Introduction                                                   212

Human Scale                                                  216

Contrast and Confusion                                   220

      Box–Surrealism: France, 1924—39             221

Ideal Proportion                                              222

      Exercises                                                  225

Chapter 11  Contrast and
Emphasis                                                     227

Introduction                                                   228

Contrast by Value and Color                             232

Isolation     234

Placement  236

Absence of Focal Point                                    238

      Exercises                                                  241

Chapter 12  Rhythm                                   243

Introduction                                                   244

Rhythm and Motion                                         248

Alternating and Progressive Rhythm                  250

      Box–Art Deco: Worldwide,
      1920—39                                                   250

Rhythmic Sensation                                         252

      Exercises                                                  253

Glossary     254

Bibliography                                                   262

Web Resources                                               264

Picture Credits                                                265

Index                                                             267