Point means the smallest element possible. A point can indicate both a position

and direction. By placing points next to each other, we produce a line. Also, points put together give rise to the weight and volume of a shape.

Line means several points placed next to each other to form a long length. By drawing lines from one point to another in different directions, we create 45, 90, 180 degree angles or any other angles and by changing the direction of the lines drawn we create different types of forms. 

The line is an important element in art creation as it can provide a meaning to a picture as and create feelings based on its form. The basic lines are straight lines and curved lines.

Straight lines and curved lines can be used to build the new kinds of lines to provide different feelings as follows:

Designers use feelings created by different kinds of lines in applied works of art. They use, for example, lines to modify the form of alphabets to create feelings of movement and it is better to express their meaning.

Colours are hues which, when we mixed colour together, it creates a new colour which is different from the initial ones. There are 2 kinds of primary colours, i.e.

1. Scientific colours : These are colours resulting from light refraction through a crystal prism. There are 7 of such colours which are violet, indigo, blue, green, yellow, orange and red. Red, green and blue are rays of light which are the only energy with colours. Such a quality of light allows them to be used for photography, television and all kinds of lighting effects for shows and performances.

2. Pigmentary colours are the colours we can get from nature and from a chemical synthesis process. There are 3 colours consist of red, yellow and blue. The pigmentary colours are widely used in artworks as well as in industries, etc. When they mixed according to the established principles, the mixture of pigmentary colours creates a colour circle which is natural. The colours created in such a manner are basic colours which are generally used in all kinds of works. From the colour cycle we can see the following:

Colour tones are tones which create feelings of heat and cold. In the colour circle there are 7 hot colours and 7 cold colours with violet and yellow are being both hot and cold.

Complementary colours or contrasting colours or a pair of opposite colours are colours the intensity of which contrast clearly. Such colours are generally not used together because each one reduces the clarity of the other. Complementary colours are normally used in the following cases:

1) When one of the colours covers a large space while the other covers a small space.

2) When other colours are mixed with one of the colours or with both colours.

3) When complementary colours are mixed with both colours.

Neutral colours are colours which can be used with any colour. There are 2 neutral colours in the colour cycle which are brown and grey. Brown is created by mixing complementary colours in the colour cycle by the same amount. Brown has an important characteristic in that when mixed with any other colour, it will make the other colour more intense without changing its colour value. However, the other colour will turn into brown if mixed with a lot of brown colour. Grey is created by mixing an equal amount of all of the colours cycle together. The characteristic of grey is that when mixed with any other colour it will make that colour is more darker.

This colour theory allows us to have a basis for choosing colours for our creative works. However, artwork designs need not be limited by the theoretical framework and it is possible for us to think outside of the theoretical concept.

3. Characteristics of colour are as follows:

1) Real colours mean the colours which we see in nature. The 12 natural colours that we see can be divided into 2 tones. These 2 tones, in turn, divide the colour cycle starting from yellow to violet are as follows:

(1) Hot colours which create strong, hot feelings as well as feelings of excitement, such as yellow, orange yellow, orange, red, magenta and violet.

(2) Cold colours which create cool, calm and comfortable feelings. Such as yellow, green yellow, green, blue green, blue, indigo and violet.

We can see that yellow and violet can be both hot and colours tones.

2) Colour intensity means the brightness or purity of any colour. Colours mixed with black will become darker and also less intense or pure. The intensity of colours is classified from the most to the least intense.

3) Colour values means the bright, neutral and opaque tones of each colour. All 

colours have their own values. If we mix white with any colour, that colour will become brighter or be lighter and lighter due to more white we mix into it. Colour values are classified from the darkest to the lightest. Colour values are obtained by mixing with whites, greys and blacks. Colours become lighter when they mixed with white and the mixture gives soft, sweet and soothing feelings. When we compare a colour picture with a black and white photocopy, we can clearly see that the light, medium and dark red colour values in the picture become white, grey and black in the photocopy due to the different values of the red colour.

The colours that we see with our eyes give us feelings immediately whether they 

are colours of our cloths, homes or things that we use. A question which we have to ask ourselves is what can we do to use colours appropriately in line with psychological principles? To do that we need to understand what kind of feelings human beings get from each colour. Colours give us different feelings are as follows:

Red gives feelings of heat, intensity, stimulus, challenge, movement, excitement, enthusiasm, power, abundance, richness, 

love and importance.

Orange gives feelings of heat, warmth, brightness, liveliness, youth, vitality, liberation, trendiness and precaution.

Yellow gives feelings of cheerfulness, joy, delight, renewal in life, freshness and novelty.

Dark green gives feelings of sadness and being old. Blue gives feeling of peace, prudence, civility, firmness, seriousness, 

diligence, carefulness and thoroughness.

Light blue gives feelings of relief, being care free, unconstrained, lightness, transparence, cleanliness, being secure, 

brightness, being able to breathe, being free, helpfulness and sharing.

Indigo gives feelings of tranquility.

Violet gives feelings of charm, attractiveness, mystery, secrecy, being powerful, having hidden powers, love, sadness, 

disappointment, peace and dignity.

Brown gives feelings of being old, heavy and being calm and quiet.

White gives feelings of purity, cleanliness, novelty, and brightness.

Black gives feelings of being heavy, depressed, sad and desperate.

Pink gives feelings of warmth, kindness, softness, sweetness, love, care, being young, cute and bright.

Olive green gives feelings of being full with energy and young.

Grey feelings of sadness, regret, being desperate, mystery, being depressed, old, quietness, politeness, prudence and 

modesty.

Gold gives feelings of opulence, luxury, being pricy, valuable, important, prosperous, happy, richness and the ability to expand.

Based on these feelings we can adapt colours to all matters in our daily life.

1. The use of analogous colours

The use of analogous colours consist in the use of colours or colour values which are close or very similar to each other such as monochromes which consist of using the same colour with different values.

2. The use of complementary colours

Complementary colours are opposite colours in the colour cycle. The use of complementary colours are necessary in designs because it makes the design interesting immediately. In reality, there are 6 pairs of complementary colors are as follows:

1) Yellow is opposite of violet.

2) Orange is opposite of blue.

3) Red is opposite of green.

4) Orange yellow is opposite of indigo.

5) Red orange is opposite of blue green.

6) Magenta is opposite of yellow green.

In using complementary colours, we must also think about colour combinations. Several techniques may be used such as using different amount of colours such as 20% of red and 80% of green.

Artwork designs or picture arrangements, if we know how to use colours which have hot or cold tones it would be easier for us to be able to control and create works which are more harmonious and beautiful. This is because colours have an influence over the mass, volume and empty spaces. Also, colours have the characteristics of being able to create harmony or contrast and to emphasize important points as well as to assemble all parts in a holistic manner.

Creation of feelings

Colours give different feelings to different beholders, depending on their experiences and background. Some colours can be used to cure some mental illnesses. Painting colours inside and outside of the buildings can also have an impact on our feelings and serve to create us an atmosphere.

Lights and shadows

Lights and shadows mean lights which reflect on the surface which have light or dark colours which are high or low, curved or flat or uneven.

The determinant of the value level and intensity of the shadow depend on the intensity of light. If there is a lot of light, shadows they will be darker while if there is not much light shadows will be vague. If there is no light, it will not be any shadow. Also, shadows is always projected onto the opposite side of the light. The different value levels of shadows and lights casted onto a material they can be distinguished as follows:

1. Areas with a strong light: Areas which are the nearest to the source of light they will be the brightest ones. In such areas, materials with a shiny surface will clearly reflect the light source.

2. Lit areas: Areas which are far from the light source they will be less well lit up by light and will therefore have lower value levels.

3. Shadow areas: Areas which are not lit up or are obstructed from light they will have a darker value than lit up areas.

4. Dark shadow areas: Areas which are the most far from the source of they will have a value level ranging from very dark to the darkest.

5. Extended shadow areas: These are areas behind surfaces where the shadow of a figure is lay over. The shadow casted is external to the figure itself. Its value intensity level depends on the intensity of the shadow, and the value of the backing surface, and the direction and distance of the shadow.

The importance of value

1. Allow one the differentiate between the form and the background or the shape and the empty space.

2. Provide feelings of movement

3. Provide 2- and 3-dimensional feelings of forms

4. Allow one to create distances, shallowness and depth and feelings of being near or far.

5. Allow the artwork to be harmonized and connected.