Balance, Emphasis, Proportion, Rhythm, Pattern, Movement, Unity, and Variety Guidelines that artists use to organize the elements of design in a composition
Balance is the arrangement of the parts of an artwork to give a sense of overall equality in visual weight. Vincent Van Gogh, Starry Night, 1889 Artists have three ways to balance artwork: Symmetrical Asymmetrical Symmetrical: when one half matches the other half identical from a central axis. Also known as formal balance. Asymmetrical: when the two halves are not identical but carry same visual weight. Also known as informal balance. Leigh Ann Inskeep-Simpson, Symmetrical Garden, Acrylic on Canvis Radial Gustave Caillebotte, Rainy Day, oil on canvas Radial: when lines or shapes spread out in a regular pattern from a center point like a bicycle wheel. English stained glass. William Wailes. St Matthias, Richmond. 1865.
Emphasis is the importance given to certain objects or areas in an artwork. Where one element of design dominates (dominance) the artwork. The area of emphasis is called the focal point. Contrast Isolation Location Using Emphasis in artwork: Contrast: when one element stands out from the rest Isolation: when an object is placed alone and away from the other objects in the artwork Location: occurs when the eyes are naturally drawn towards the center of an artwork.
Leonardo da Vinci, Study of Human Proportions Proportion is the relation of the parts of an artwork to each other and to the whole with regards to size, placement, and amount. Standard Proportion Michelangelo, The Creation of Adam. 1512. Sinstine Chapel, Vatican City The Listening Room, Rene Magritte Types of Proportion Standard Proportion: when an object or person seems to have Altered Proportion appropriate height, width, and depth compared to its surroundings. Artist will use scale to show the size of one object verses an object. Altered Proportion: proportions have being changed or distorted Distortion: is used to express feelings or ideas in a work of art Jacob Lawrence, The Life of Harriet Tubman, 1940 Christina's World by Andrew Wyeth (1948) Artist Unknown, Nefertiti, 1365 b.c., painted limestone Distortion Edvard Munch, The Scream, 1893
Rhythm is the repetition of visual elements, such as line, shapes, or colors that create a feeling of motion. René Magritte - Golconde, 1953, oil on canvas Alternating Rhythm M.C. Escher - Lizard, 1942 Regular Rhythm Jasper Johns - Three Flags, 1958 Progressive Rhythm Marcel Duchamp - "Nude Descending a Staircase (No2)", 1912 Patrick Raymond, Rhythm 2 Types of Rhythm Regular Rhythm: repetition of an element without any variation. Alternating Rhythm: the repetition of two or more elements in an even pattern. Progressive Rhythm: created by showing regular changes in a repeated element.
Pattern is repeated colors, lines, shapes, forms, or texture in an artwork repeated surface decoration Motif: unit of objects or elements that can be repeated. Types of Pattern: Random: occurs when the motif is repeated in no apparent order like leaves covering the ground Regular: occurs when the motif is repeated with equal amount of space between each unit like lines creating parking spaces or the windows on a skyscraper. Alternating: repeat a motif but change position, alter spacing, or adding a second motif like laying down stone or brick on a driveway. Random Regular Andy Warhol, Converse Shoes, Alternating M.C. Escher, Horseman, 1946
Hokusai, The Great Wave off Kanagawa, 1832 Kinetic Sculpture, 2008 Movement leads a viewer s eyes throughout the artwork. Artist use visual movement in art by repeating art elements or objects. Used in two dimensional works of art. Visual Movement is created by repeating the elements or object in a work of art. Kinetic Movement is actual or real movement. Used in three dimensional works of art. M.C. Escher, swans, 1956 Henri Rousseau, Exotic Landscape, 1910 Peter Jansen, Body in Motion
Nathaniel Bustion, Bo Bo Festival - series 3 Leonid Afremovt, Contemplation Variety is the use of different elements to add interest to a work of art. Works hand in hand with unity to create a pleasing composition or to add emphasis and meaning. Variety and Unity Gustav Klimt, Portrait of Adele Bloch Bauer, 1907 Unity is the quality of seeming whole, complete, or harmonious All parts look right together. Harmony in artwork reflects how all the elements and principles work together. Lee Bennion, Snow Queen, Portrait of Adah, 1992 Franz Marc the Large Blue Horses, 1911