Academy of Technical and
Art Applied Studies Belgrade

Artistic Elements and Composition Course code: LEK 115012 | 5 ECTS credits

Basic information
Level of Studies: Undergraduate applied studies
Year of Study: 1
Semester: 1
Requirements:
Goal: Introducing, expanding and completing the knowledge of artistic elements and the principles of composition both in theory and practice (creatively and analytically). Using the broadest possible spectrum of creative options for each individual element while applying different materials and surfaces.
Outcome: Upon passing the exam, the students will be able to: use artistic elements in different mutual relations; apply the principles of composition when creating a work of art; transpose concrete forms into abstract compositions.
Contents of the course
Theoretical instruction:
  1. Artistic elements and principles. Line – the oldest tool of expression. Types of lines, movement, speed and symbolism. Character of the line.
  2. Shape. Surface (size, direction and texture).
  3. Transposition, composition and artistic principles. Balance, harmony, contrast and repetition.
  4. Tonality and tonal keys.
  5. Projection of the film „Dijalog o kolažu” by L. Trifunović and M. Popović.
  6. Color: definition, types and characteristics.
  7. Contrasts: dark-light, warm-cold, complementary. Modeling and modulation.
  8. Structure.
  9. Composition. Direction and composition.
  10. Space: aerial, coloristic and linear perspective.
  11. Space and its representation. Coloristic perspective (Piet Mondrian). Reverse perspective. Cubists and space.
  12. Collage.
  13. Shape in decor. G. Klimt. Decoration in painting. The relationship between the body and draping. Klimt and Matisse.
  14. Structure tables. Unity of style.
  15. Analysis of the works.
Practical instruction (Problem solving sessions/Lab work/Practical training):
  1. The book of lines. (Obtaining an array of lines of different characters and quality by using different artistic materials and techniques). The book of emotions. (Lines as an artistic tool in expressing emotions).
  2. The book of lines. (Obtaining an array of lines of different characters and quality by using different artistic materials and techniques). The book of emotions. (Lines as an artistic tool in expressing emotions).
  3. Harmony and contrast. Compositions of different surfaces (harmonic and constrasted) with or without repetition, with changes in size and direction of the surfaces. Composition and texture – the previous linear compositions are treated by using different textures.
  4. Tonal keys. Texture as a different value of gray (six tonal keys obtained with texture).
  5. Tone and emotion. Tempera painting of one setup in six different tonal keys (3 in a minor key and 3 in a major); sketches for a tonal collage.
  6. Collage. (An exercise in perception and analysis of tonal relations).
  7. Modulation 1. Painting using modulation (warm-cold and complementary tones).
  8. Croquis and a structure study. Examining the structure of natural forms. Exploring the character of form using different methods: sketching, artistic analysis and a study.
  9. Transposing shapes of a pronounced structure into linear compositions. Exploring size relations in composing shapes. Creating an artistic composition in which the dynamic and illusion of space is achieved through using shapes of different sizes and character.
  10. Tonal compositions of „structure“. Linear compositions of structure treated tonally.
  11. Monochromatic compositions of „structure“. Modulation 2.
  12. Cubistic compositions of „structure“. Cubistic rendition of one of the previous compositions. (Collage, combined technique).
  13. Shape of structure in decor. Structure composition treated decoratively.
  14. Structure tables. Creating structure tables.
  15. Analysis of works. Structure tables and idea blocks.
Textbooks and References
  1. Bogdanović K., Teorija forme, Zavod za udžbenike i nastavna sredstva, Beograd, 2004
  2. Nikolić K., Dizajn i forma, skripta, Viša tehnička tekstilna škola, Beograd, 2005
  3. Vasić P., Uvod u likovne umetnosti, Univerzitet umetnosti u Beogradu, Beograd,1988
  4. Arnhajm, R., Umetnost i vizuelno opažanje, Univerzitet umetnosti u Beogradu, Studentski kulturni centar, Beograd, 1997
Number of active classes (weekly)
Lectures: 1
Practical classes: 2
Other types of classes: 0
Grading (maximum number of points: 100)
Pre-exam obligations
Points
activities during lectures
0
activities on practial excersises
0
seminary work
0
colloquium
0
Final exam
Points
Written exam
0
Oral exam
0