DOTs! LINEs! PL ANEs! OH MY! 1st ESO Visual Arts Teacher Simone
The three basic elements to create images are‌ The dot
The line
The plane
The Dot
The dot is the smallest and most basic visual element. All lines and shapes are made of an infinite succession of dots.
The dot in space A dot on a surface provides a “focal point”, or tension that we focus on. These tensions give us sensations or impressions like…
Balance
Instabilit y
Lightness
Connection
Point of interest 
Images always have one focus point that draws our attention more than others. This is called the point of interest.

Where is the point of interest in this work?
Dots have an expressive value
By placing many dots together we can express complex feelings and ideas.
We can create abstract or realistic images with dots
We can shade images to give a sense of volume.
The line
The line is a continuous succession of dots. It is a fundamental graphic element.
Lines can be straight, curved, broken, zigzagged…
Tension lines 
As we discussed earlier, images have a point of interest. We can follow invisible tension lines to find the point of interest.
The line has expressive value ď‚—
One of the most important functions of a line is to create shapes in order to create images. This is done with a contour line
ď‚—
We can also create texture and
shading with lines
The plane
The plane is the third basic graphic element. It is the area defined by a closed line. Planes we sometimes call figures.
Planes can be:
Geometric
or
Organic
Planes have value Depending on expressive it’s size, contour and arrangement to
provide expression.
For example, a plane made of wavy lines is more expressive than one of straight lines.
A bigger figure seems more important than a smaller one.
What elements do you see?
What elements do you see?
Texture 
Texture is the final basic graphic element.

It is the visual and tactile quality of all surfaces. Surfances can be smooth, rough, hard, soft, etc.
Natural and Artificial
Textures can be natural, like…
Textures can be artificial, like…
Meet Wassily Kandinsky! 
Kandinsky is a Russian painter from the late 19th century.

He believed that forms (points, lines, blobs and shapes) combined together in compositions can transmit certain experiences.

Kandinsky believed that forms could even express musical qualities. His paintings are influenced by works of music.
Here is a video…
Which pairs the painting with the music.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMwdV6xpwQk
Do you “see” and “hear” the relationship?
Here is an animation of one of his paintings.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NtbWS8ervg&feature=rel
Can you “hear” the music?
Let’s practice…
Listen to these sounds. What graphic element would you use to represent it?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CkK-LM6Oe0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClpqY0PiRGI&feature=rela
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JF6EYyUK5RQ&feature=r
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_YoI9SpbRI&feature=rela http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzGgX1DihPw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcihV9kbnVE&feature=rel
Let’s get to work!
Individually, make 3 drawings inspired by music.
We must listen and try to represent the songs using the three graphic elements: LINE, DOT AND FIGURE. The figures cannot be realistic! They must be abstract!
Just “feel” the music like Kandinsky would and work together!
Here are the songs… Title the drawings: «CLASSICAL MUSIC DRAWING»
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C49V8w3irEk&feature=fvs «HEAVY METAL DRAWING» http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_1hLiqwq7c «JAZZ DRAWING»
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpZHUVjQydI&feature=re
REMEMBER: The line and the dot have expressive value ď‚—
Lines create shapes in order to create images. This is done with a contour line
ď‚—
We can also create texture and
shading with lines
Dots have an expressive value 
By placing many dots together we can express complex feelings and ideas.
ď‚—
We can shade images to give a
sense of volume.
Let’s work on a 2D composition
Arrange the items to create a STILL LIFE, like this one by Cézanne.
Let’s get to work!
I will give you each a graphic element, THE DOT, THE LINE or THE PLANE.
You will have TWO class sessions to interpret the still life using only your graphic element.
You can use pencils, colored pencils or markers. DOTS!
PLANES!
LINES!