BALANCE

What is BALANCE?

The distribution of visual weight.

Types of BALANCE in Art and their effects

Symmetrical balance
Equal or identical on both sides, like a mirror image

Taj Mahal, India (Architecture)

Perfectly symmetrical

Asymmetrical balance
Unequal but visually balanced

The Great Wave Off Kanagawa, Hokusai

Huge left-side wave balanced by Mount Fuji and boats on the right.

Radial balance

Elements radiate from a center point in a circular manner

Mandala

All elements are balanced with the center as the anchor.

How do we manipulate BALANCE in Art?

To do so, we need to distribute visual weight, which depends on the following.

Size - The bigger an element, the more visual weight it has.
Colour - The more saturated, the more visual weight.
Value - The brighter or has more value contrast, the more visual weight.
Texture - Complex or detailed texture has more visual weight.
Position - The further an element is from the center / central axis or more isolated it is, the heavier it appears.
Quantity - Having more of an element creates visual weight.

Words and phrases to use when talking about BALANCE

Balance creates:

Imbalance creates:

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