Arts - Cheat Sheet
Your last-minute revision companion for Arts Education concepts essential for LET Elementary success
Elements of Art
Important facts
- Seven basic elements: line, shape, form, color, value, texture, space
- Elements are building blocks of all artwork
- Each element can be varied to create different effects
- Space includes both positive (occupied) and negative (empty) areas
Key definitions
Line
Example
Horizon line, outline of objects
Continuous mark that can be straight, curved, thick, thin, horizontal, or vertical
Shape
Example
Circle, leaf shape
Two-dimensional area; geometric (squares, circles) or organic (natural forms)
Form
Example
Sculpture, building
Three-dimensional shape with volume and depth
Color
Example
Red, blue-green
Visual element with hue, value (lightness), and intensity (brightness)
Value
Example
Light gray vs dark gray
Degree of lightness or darkness in colors or tones
Texture
Example
Rough bark, smooth glass
How a surface feels or appears to feel
Space
Example
Background around a portrait
Area around, between, and within objects; positive vs negative space
Diagrams to know
- Color wheel showing primary, secondary, tertiary colors
- Examples of different line types
- Positive vs negative space illustrations
Principles of Design
Important facts
- Ten main principles: balance, emphasis, harmony, variety, proportion, movement, rhythm, unity, contrast, pattern
- Principles organize and arrange the elements of art
- Good design uses multiple principles working together
- Balance can be symmetric (formal) or asymmetric (informal)
Key definitions
Balance
Example
Symmetrical building facade
Arrangement of parts creating equilibrium (symmetric, asymmetric, radial)
Emphasis
Example
Bright red flower in green field
Creating a focal point or center of interest
Unity
Example
Consistent color scheme throughout artwork
Sense of oneness where all parts work together harmoniously
Proportion
Example
Head size compared to body
Size relationship of parts to the whole
Rhythm
Example
Repeated arches in architecture
Repeated elements creating visual movement or pattern
Diagrams to know
- Examples of symmetric vs asymmetric balance
- Demonstration of emphasis techniques
- Pattern and rhythm examples
Color Theory
Important facts
- Primary: red, yellow, blue
- Secondary: orange, green, violet
- Tertiary: red-orange, yellow-orange, yellow-green, blue-green, blue-violet, red-violet
- Complementary pairs create strongest contrast
- Analogous colors (neighbors on wheel) create harmony
- Neutral colors: black, white, gray, brown
Key definitions
Primary Colors
Example
Pure red, yellow, blue paint
Red, yellow, blue - cannot be created by mixing other colors
Secondary Colors
Example
Red + Yellow = Orange
Orange, green, violet - created by mixing two primary colors
Complementary Colors
Example
Red and green, blue and orange
Opposite colors on color wheel that create high contrast
Warm Colors
Example
Sunset colors
Red, orange, yellow - appear energetic and inviting
Cool Colors
Example
Ocean colors
Blue, green, violet - appear calm and soothing
Tint
Example
Pink is red tint
Color mixed with white to make it lighter
Shade
Example
Maroon is red shade
Color mixed with black to make it darker
Diagrams to know
- Standard 12-color wheel
- Complementary color pairs
- Warm vs cool color groups
- Tint, tone, shade examples
Reactions or equations
Primary + Primary = Secondary
Note
Red + Yellow = Orange, Yellow + Blue = Green, Blue + Red = Violet
Conditions
Equal amounts for pure secondary
Color + White = Tint
Note
Creates pastel versions
Conditions
Lightens the original color
Color + Black = Shade
Note
Creates deeper versions
Conditions
Darkens the original color
Philippine Art and Artists
Common values
Value
890-710 BC
Symbol
Pre-colonial
Quantity
Manunggul Jar period
Value
Fernando Amorsolo
Symbol
1972
Quantity
First National Artist
Important facts
- Fernando Amorsolo - first National Artist, romantic rural scenes
- Juan Luna - Spoliarium, Parisian Life
- Felix Resurreccion Hidalgo - Las Virgenes Cristianas
- Napoleon Abueva - Father of Modern Philippine Sculpture
- BenCab (Benedicto Cabrera) - Sabel series
- Victor Edades - introduced modernism to Philippines
- Ang Kiukok - expressionist painter
- Indigenous arts: T'nalak (T'boli), Pina weaving, Banaue Rice Terraces
Key definitions
National Artist
Example
Fernando Amorsolo (first National Artist)
Highest recognition given to Filipino artists who have significantly contributed to Philippine arts
Manunggul Jar
Example
Symbol of journey to afterlife
Pre-colonial burial jar from Palawan showing two figures in boat (890-710 BC)
Spoliarium
Example
Symbolizes Filipino suffering under Spanish rule
Famous painting by Juan Luna depicting fallen gladiators
Diagrams to know
- Timeline of Philippine art periods
- Map showing regional art forms
- Examples of indigenous Filipino art
Children's Art Development
Common values
Value
2-4 years
Symbol
Motor development
Quantity
Scribbling Stage
Value
4-7 years
Symbol
First symbols
Quantity
Pre-schematic
Value
7-9 years
Symbol
Baseline/skyline
Quantity
Schematic
Value
9-11 years
Symbol
More detail
Quantity
Dawning Realism
Important facts
- Lowenfeld's stages are guidelines, not rigid rules
- Each child develops at own pace
- Teachers should not impose adult standards
- Scribbling is important for motor development
- Pre-schematic shows first representational thinking
- Schematic stage shows organized spatial concepts
- Never ask 'What is it?' - let children explain their work
Key definitions
Scribbling Stage
Example
Circular scribbles, random lines
Ages 2-4, random marks and kinesthetic enjoyment of movement
Pre-schematic Stage
Example
Tadpole people, house with triangle roof
Ages 4-7, first recognizable shapes, floating figures
Schematic Stage
Example
Stick figures, trees as lollipops
Ages 7-9, consistent symbols, baseline and skyline appear
Dawning Realism
Example
More proportional figures, depth attempts
Ages 9-11, more detail, overlapping, texture attempts
Diagrams to know
- Examples of art from each developmental stage
- Progression from scribbles to recognizable forms
- Typical characteristics of each stage
Art Integration in Elementary Teaching
Important facts
- Art enhances visual-spatial intelligence
- Integrates with Language Arts through illustration
- Math connections: symmetry, patterns, geometry
- Science: scientific illustration, observation skills
- Social Studies: historical art, cultural expressions
- Safety first: non-toxic materials only
- Accommodate different learning styles
- K-12 BEC emphasizes creative expression
Key definitions
MAPEH
Example
Combined arts and music lessons
Music, Arts, Physical Education, Health - integrated subject area
Art Integration
Example
Drawing geometric shapes in math
Using art to enhance learning in other subjects
Diagrams to know
- Examples of cross-curricular art activities
- Art materials suitable for elementary
- Classroom art center setup
Must remember
- Seven elements of art: line, shape, form, color, value, texture, space
- Primary colors: red, yellow, blue (cannot be mixed from others)
- Secondary colors: orange, green, violet (mix of two primaries)
- Complementary colors are opposites on color wheel (highest contrast)
- Fernando Amorsolo - first National Artist for Visual Arts
- Juan Luna's Spoliarium - most famous Philippine painting
- Lowenfeld's developmental stages: scribbling (2-4), pre-schematic (4-7), schematic (7-9), dawning realism (9-11)
- Never impose adult standards on children's art
- Art integration enhances learning across all subjects
- MAPEH combines Music, Arts, Physical Education, Health
Last minute tips
- For color questions: Remember primary cannot be mixed, secondary comes from mixing two primaries
- Philippine art questions often focus on National Artists - memorize Amorsolo, Luna, Abueva, BenCab
- Child development: Match age ranges to stages (scribbling 2-4, pre-schematic 4-7, etc.)
- Elements vs Principles: Elements are WHAT you see, Principles are HOW they're arranged
- Art integration questions: Think cross-curricular connections (math-geometry, science-observation, language-illustration)
Comparison tables
Art Elements vs Principles
| Category | Elements | Principles |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Building blocks of art | How elements are organized |
| Examples | Line, shape, color, form | Balance, emphasis, unity, rhythm |
| Function | What you see in artwork | How artwork is structured |
Color Categories
| Primary | Secondary | Tertiary | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colors | Red, Yellow, Blue | Orange, Green, Violet | Red-orange, Yellow-green, etc. |
| How Made | Cannot be mixed | Mix 2 primaries | Mix primary + secondary |
| Number | 3 colors | 3 colors | 6 colors |
Warm vs Cool Colors
| Warm Colors | Cool Colors | |
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Red, Orange, Yellow | Blue, Green, Violet |
| Feeling | Energetic, exciting, advancing | Calm, soothing, receding |
| Examples | Fire, sun, warmth | Water, sky, ice |
Diagrams
Arts Education Concept Overview
Complete overview of all major arts education concepts for LET Elementary
Color Mixing Process
Step-by-step process of color mixing from primaries to complete color wheel
Philippine Art Historical Timeline
Chronological development of Philippine art from pre-colonial to contemporary periods
Child Art Development Stages
Progression through Lowenfeld's stages of child artistic development with key characteristics