I found the book Art by Design by Bill Oakes in a thrift store for 50 cents.
I was in love with the compelling black and white images on the cover.
I must confess I have not read the book, but I do flip through it and skim the pages for inspiration.
I like to embrace the elements of design in classes that I teach and take. For example, I am playing with simple landscapes, right now in a class with Anita Lehmann.
I feel like I practice and play with line, value, color, texture, shape and space. And eventually the principles sink into my bones and will be second nature.
I think as artists we focus on different design principles differently and that is what makes our art unique.
I think I am about texture and shape, but I am always chanting to myself to save whites and add blacks. This way I have strong and interesting value changes.
Value changes from very light to very dark is often over looked. And just reclaiming some bright whites or adding a pop of very dark and instantly transform a piece.
If you would like help with art and design skills, check out the current classes.