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. Artists have three ways to balance

artwork:

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.

Radial: when lines or shapes spread out in a regular pattern from a center point – like a bicycle wheel.

Leigh Ann Inskeep-Simpson, Symmetrical Garden, Acrylic on

Canvis

Vincent Van Gogh, Starry Night, 1889

Gustave Caillebotte, Rainy Day, oil on canvas

English stained glass. William Wailes. St Matthias, Richmond. 1865.

Symmetrical Asymmetrical

Radial

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. 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.

Paul Cézanne, Boy in a Red

Waistcoat, 1888-1890, National

Gallery of Art

Contrast Location

Isolation

Proportion is the relation of the parts of an artwork to

each other and to the whole with regards to size, placement, and amount.

Types of Proportion

Standard Proportion: when an object or person seems to have 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

Michelangelo, The Creation of Adam. 1512. Sinstine Chapel, Vatican City

Christina's World by Andrew Wyeth (1948)

Jacob Lawrence, The Life of Harriet Tubman, 1940

The Listening Room, Rene Magritte

Edvard Munch, The Scream, 1893

Standard Proportion

Altered Proportion Distortion

Artist Unknown, Nefertiti, 1365 b.c., painted limestone

Leonardo da Vinci, Study of Human Proportions

Rhythm is the repetition of visual elements, such as

line, shapes, or colors that create a feeling of motion.

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.

Marcel Duchamp - "Nude Descending a Staircase (No2)", 1912

Patrick Raymond, Rhythm 2 René Magritte - Golconde, 1953, oil on canvas

Jasper Johns - Three Flags, 1958

M.C. Escher - Lizard, 1942

Regular Rhythm

Alternating Rhythm Progressive Rhythm

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.

M.C. Escher, Horseman, 1946

Andy Warhol, Converse Shoes,

Random

Regular

Alternating

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.

Henri Rousseau, Exotic Landscape, 1910

Hokusai, The Great Wave off Kanagawa, 1832

Kinetic Sculpture, 2008

Peter Jansen, Body in Motion

M.C. Escher, swans, 1956

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

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.

Gustav Klimt, Portrait of Adele Bloch Bauer, 1907

Leonid Afremovt, Contemplation

Franz Marc the Large Blue Horses, 1911

Nathaniel Bustion, Bo Bo

Festival - series 3

Lee Bennion, Snow Queen, Portrait of

Adah, 1992