Considering both the Art Elements and Principles of Design as you create your clay work results in greater aesthetic success.

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The relationship between the Art Elements and Ceramics

All artworks are made up of Art Elements.  Every artwork has at least one or more of these elements.   

The Art Elements are line, shape, form, space, texture, value, and color.

 

Line: 

The outside surface of a three dimensional object is defined by directional line. The surface decoration on a clay artwork can also be made with line.

Shape: 

Each clay work has a general shape of its own with reference to its appearance.  Shapes are also used to decorate clay work through carving into the clay surface (using the subtractive method) or by cutting out clay shapes from slabs of clay and adhering them to the clay surface (using the additive method).

Form:

Sculptures and other clay works such as vases, jars, mugs, etc. are actual forms because they are three dimensional art works and have the measurements of length width and depth.  A three dimensional form results when depth is added to a shape therefore, clay forms are projections of  shapes. 

Space: 

Clay sculptures and many other clay works are three dimensional and also can have both negative and positive space.

When decorating the surface of your clay work consider the following types of space…….

Decorative space  has no suggestion of depth whatsoever. This could be a decorative design on wallpaper, fabric, etc. Often use this type of space often when decorating clay work.

Shallow space is limited in depth with only a slight distance involved.  Still life drawings often deal with shallow space as does some decorative patterns, which can be used to decorate clay work.

Infinite space moves the viewer into the distance and involves a vanishing point. You may choose to incorporate infinite space if you are creating a scene on the surface of the clay work.

Texture:  

Clay has actual texture with reference to the tactile surface of the clay when touched.

Simulated texture is the created appearance of actual texture in a drawing, painting, or surface of a clay work.  A simulated texture can be created with various paints or glazes on the surface of the clay using a variety of brushes or other tools.

Value:  

Value deals with the various ranges of light and dark.  Dramatic decorative effects on the surface of clay work may be created using strong value contrasts.

Color:  

There are many opportunities to incorporate color onto clay work through the use of various glazes and other surface finishes, such as stains, engobes, underglazes,  and paints. Understanding the color wheel is beneficial when applying colorful surface finishes to clay in a way that is visually dynamic.  See the Art Elements page for color wheel and color groups information.