Use of Elements and Application of Principles of Art and Design in the Creation of Pictorial Compositions among Fine Art Students at Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya
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Date
2024
Authors
Wango, Kamau
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
EANSO
Abstract
In the creation of any work of art, whether in two or three dimension, the use of
elements and principles is fundamental. It has been acknowledged across ages that
the purpose of the creation of any work of art is to create some form of defined
meaning or express some artistic phenomenon. It has also been acknowledged that
elements and principles have a symbiotic relationship. In examining the paintings
and drawings presented by students, this study seeks to explore the relationship
between elements and principles as they are applied in the paintings and drawings to
determine the effectiveness of this synchrony in terms of visual enhancement and
the eventual creation of meaning. The study features students' work at various levels
where they spontaneously created their paintings and drawings with focus on the use
of elements and principles. However, their usage and application were spontaneous
and not geared towards specific responses, which was necessary for the outcome of
the study. From preliminary enquiry, it emerged that although students had received
adequate tutorials about the use of elements and principles in the creation of artwork,
they did not apply them from an academic perspective but instinctively. It was
therefore envisaged that focusing on the quality of their work would ultimately yield
better results about their comprehension of the use of elements and principles as
featured in their work. This study, therefore, used the execution and analysis of their
practical work as testimony to their comprehension. The selection of 35
presentations, including black and white pencil drawings, provided a wide spectrum
and depicted how students used and understood the application of both elements and
principles and were deemed adequate for the study. The paintings featured the use
of colour as an integral element, and the pencil drawings were strong in depicting
textural effects and using value. The presentations featured different subject matter
which was important for the creative essence of work.
Description
Article
Keywords
Elements, Colour, Line, Tones, Value, Principles, Pictorial Composition, Form
Citation
Wango, K. (2024). Use of Elements and Application of Principles of Art and Design in the Creation of Pictorial Compositions among Fine Art Students at Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya. East African Journal of Arts and Social Sciences, 7(1), 189-218.