CONTRAST

What is CONTRAST?

The differences resulting from opposing Elements of Art. It is the opposite of harmony.

Contrast can:

How do we create CONTRAST in Art?

Unlike harmony where we put together similar elements, we create contrast by juxtaposing different elements, such as the following.

1. Size

Look at the Principle of Design: Scale

Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (Poster)

Movie posters often show a huge looming villain in contrast to smaller heroes.

Black Myth: Wukong (Video Game)

In this opening scene, the main character Wukong faces off against an army of Gods who are way larger in size, emphasising the sheer odds of victory.

2. Shapes

Beat the Whites with the Red Wedge, 1919, Lithograph, El Lizzitsky

Contrast of triangle with circle.

Composition 8, 1923, Oil on Canvas, Wassily Kandinsky

Contrast of various shapes, creating drama and variety.

3. Form

Composing Contrast Sculpture, Ceramics, Martin Harman

A combination of geometric and organic form.

Museum of Military History in Dresden, Architecture.

The triangular form contrasts with the largely rectangular main building.

4. Value

The Night Watch, 1642, Oil on Canvas, Rembrandt

Figures closer to the viewer are brighter than those in the background.

Dovima with Elephant, 1955, Richard Avedon

Model in bright gown contrasted against the dark mass of elephants and background.

5. Colour

Cafe Terrace at Night, 1888, Oil on Canvas, Vincent Van Gogh

The warm yellows of the cafe contrast with the deep blues of the night sky.

Use of bold, contrasting colours in fashion.

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