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In order to discuss the principles, you need to explain the composition (how the elements are organized through the principles).
In order to discuss the principles, you need to explain the composition (how the elements are organized through the principles).
Your goal through formal analysis, is to determine whether your artwork has visual unity and to analyze the style of the artwork.
Your goal through formal analysis, is to determine whether your artwork has visual unity and to analyze the style of the artwork.
Styles vary over time and place, so like media and technique, they can be analyzed to determine the origin of an artwork or artifact.
Styles vary over time and place, so like media and technique, they can be analyzed to determine the origin of an artwork or artifact.
Harmony
Harmony
Is the similarity of elements to create a sense of cohesion amongst otherwise separate parts. Artists use it to create a sense of calm and pleasing interactions.
Visual unity
Visual unity
A balance of harmony and variety. It's the impression or feeling of oneness and completeness an artwork can have.
Variety
Variety
When an artist places different visual elements next to one another, he/she is using variety. Artists use it to create interest, energy and emotion.
Harmony
Harmony
Achieved by:
Repetition
Rhythm
Pattern
Closure
Transparency
Extensions
Examples:
A set of colors that relate according to a specific scheme creates harmony.
A uniform texture of brush strokes across the surface of a canvas creates harmony.
A composition that incorporates only curvy shapes creates harmony.
When an artwork uses too much harmony, the artwork can feel boring or monotonous (dull) static or unemotional.
Variety
Variety
Achieved by:
Juxtaposition
Contrast
Distortion
Examples:
Inconsistent scale or light
A combination of both curvy and geometric shapes.
Straight lines next to curvy lines add variety.
Bright colors next to dull colors add variety.
When an artwork uses too much variety, the viewer can't tell what the focal point or purpose of the piece might be. The work might look too chaotic , pointless or incomprehensible.
Caravaggio created a scene of action and energy by contrasting both light/dark values and opposing directional lines.
Contrast
Contrast
Used to create variety, visual interest, and drama in an artwork.
Achieved by:
Arranging opposite elements and effects
Examples:
A combination of both light and dark colors
A combination of both smooth and rough textures
A combination of both large and small shapes
Balance
Balance
Balance refers to the distribution of weight or visual heaviness of shapes and forms in an artwork. An artwork’s balance affects the equality and tension of the composition and can lend a feeling of calm or chaos to the work.
Achieved by:
Distributing visual weight within your design (symmetry, approximate symmetry, asymmetry, radial, optical)
Counterbalancing key areas of interest throughout the artwork
Examples:
Brighter colors have more visual weight than neutral tones.
“Harder” shapes like squares seem heavier than “softer” shapes like circles.
A thicker line will appear heavier than a thinner one.
Utagawa Hiroshige (Ando) (Japanese, 1797-1858). Minowa, Kanasugi, Mikawashima, No. 102 from One Hundred Famous Views of Edo, 5th month of 1857. Woodblock print, Sheet: 14 3/16 x 9 1/4 in. (36 x 23.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Anna Ferris, 30.1478.102 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 30.1478.102_PS1.jpg)
Proportion
Proportion
Proportion is the size relationship between the various parts of an artwork. It also relates to our perception of perspective and proportion. Artists can use the scale and proportion to create sensations such as depth, realism, disorientation, and drama.
Achieved by:
All parts of the work are in scale or consistent relative to human dimensions --> harmony
Use the Golden rectangle composition strategy --> harmony
varying size relationship (scale) between the objects in the painting to create meaning in the artwork --> variety
Examples:
Hierarchical scale is a technique used in art, in which the artist depicts objects with an unnatural scale to show their importance.
Light of sight composition strategy can emphasize space and distance
Ideal proportion first used by the Greek sculpture Polyclitus.
Dominance
Dominance
The area of an artwork that dominates attention, assumes the most importance or draws interest. It is often the place a viewer looks first (focal point).
Achieved by:
Isolation
Placement
Direction
Scale
Character
Examples:
Create dominance using intensity of light
Create dominance using complementary colors and atmospheric perspective
Create dominance by using marker in a small area of a pencil drawing
Movement
Movement
Starting with the focal point, where your eyes then travel around the artwork using visual pathways. There can be literal movement or compositional (implied) movement created.
Achieved by:
Rhythm suggests movement or action. Rhythm is usually achieved through repetition of lines, shapes, colors, and more. It creates a visual tempo in artworks and provides a path for the viewer’s eye to follow.
Compositional movement may be classified as static: that is, movement of the eye that jumps and hops between separate components of the image, attracted by similarities and simply shifting to shapes with related shape or color.
Movement may also be classified as dynamic. Dynamic movement is characterized by movement of the eye that flows smoothly from one area of the composition to another, guided by continuations of line or form, and by gradations of color or form.
Actual movement is possible in artworks that actually move like kinetic sculpture.
Principles of Art - Rhythm
Principles of Art - Rhythm
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