• Home
  • Gallery
    • Original Works
    • People and Portraiture
    • Narrative and Surreal
    • Animals
    • Around Memphis
    • Album Art & Collabs
    • Studies and Experiments
  • Learn
    • Foundations
    • Our Teaching Philosophy
  • About
  • Commissions
  • More
    • Home
    • Gallery
      • Original Works
      • People and Portraiture
      • Narrative and Surreal
      • Animals
      • Around Memphis
      • Album Art & Collabs
      • Studies and Experiments
    • Learn
      • Foundations
      • Our Teaching Philosophy
    • About
    • Commissions
  • Sign In
  • Create Account

  • My Account
  • Signed in as:

  • filler@godaddy.com


  • My Account
  • Sign out


Signed in as:

filler@godaddy.com

  • Home
  • Gallery
    • Original Works
    • People and Portraiture
    • Narrative and Surreal
    • Animals
    • Around Memphis
    • Album Art & Collabs
    • Studies and Experiments
  • Learn
    • Foundations
    • Our Teaching Philosophy
  • About
  • Commissions

Account


  • My Account
  • Sign out


  • Sign In
  • My Account

Foundations in Visual Communication

 Creativity is not a mystery. It is a language.


The Elements of Art are your alphabet—line, shape, form, value, color, texture, and space. The Principles of Design are what you do with that alphabet. Together, they form visual communication.


These lessons are built to teach you that language clearly and confidently.

What Makes This Different

Casey Smith teaching art lesson.

Thinking Visually

 Most art classes focus on producing a finished image.

Foundations focuses on understanding how images work.

Rather than copying step-by-step demonstrations, students learn the building blocks behind every strong drawing or painting—so they can create independently across subjects and media.

This is about learning how to think visually.

Who is this for?

 Foundations is designed for students ages 11 and up who are ready to think, observe, and practice with intention.

 

It is ideal for:

• Serious beginners

• Teens preparing for advanced study

• Adults returning to art

• Artists wanting stronger structure

• Homeschool families seeking curriculum-based instruction

Younger students may participate with maturity and dedication.

Movement begins here.

 Structure takes form.

 Mood and meaning unfold.

 Surface tells the story.

Volume and weight emerge.

 Light creates depth.

Balance defines the whole.

Casey's Design Principles

If the Elements are the building blocks, the Principles of Design are the structure. They guide how visual information is organized, balanced, emphasized, and experienced.

Balance

imagine your shapes have weight

Contrast

the difference between things; energy is built when you put contrasting things together

Unity

created by proximity: closure, over and under, overlay

Variety and Repetition

 Fundamental design principle because it is a primary way to think, based on human behavior

Emphasis

use contrast, space, and color to create

Movement / Rhythm

expressive line making (sweeping marks); part of the overall composition

Pattern

crucial principle for hair, fur, textures. Compositionally odd numbers are better than even. Power of 3

Proportion

Comparing the size of things; spatial reasoning

 These lessons are not about copying a finished image. They are about understanding how visual communication works—so students can create independently, across subjects and media.

Casey Smith Studio

Original Paintings · Fine Art Prints · Learning Studio

Memphis, Tennessee

[901.299.2337] · [Instagram] · [Newsletter]

Powered by

  • Home
  • Original Works
  • About

This website uses cookies.

We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.

Accept