Elements and Principles of Design

Join Tony Couch in an insightful discussion of design. In its simplicity, this art instructional video takes a sophisticated, even philosophical, approach the question: “What makes something good art?”

Attention to the basic elements and principles presented here will seldom fail to provide dynamic and interesting compositions. This is what all artists should consider the true basics of making art — but many beginning artists need to come up against the frustrations of failure before the true value of the information in this video becomes integrated into their drawing, painting and other forms of 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional art.

Tony shows, by words and example, how the elements and principles of design are the foundation for all works of art. He defines each element of design — line, shape, value, color, texture, and direction — in relation to each of the principles of design: balance, harmony, gradation, repetition, dominance, contrast, and unity. The knowledge of these inter-relationships create better art, more interesting paintings, and unified artistic statements.

Classics by Vincent Van Gogh, Mary Cassatt, Edward Hopper, Stewart Davis, Henri Matisse, Andrew Wyeth, Edgar Degas, Georgia O'Keeffe, and Edgar Whitney, as well as examples of his own work, are used to illustrate these inter-relationships. You will come back to this video again and again, and always get something new.