THE PRINCIPLES OF ARTChapter 2: Lesson 2

When artists combine the elements of art into an organized whole they use certain principles (or guidelines).

DESIGN: In order to achieve a unified design, one must have a skillful blend of the elements and principles.

Without unity, the work would look disorganized.

BALANCE A way of combining elements to add a

feeling of equilibrium or stability to a work of art.

There are 3 kinds of balance: Symmetrical Asymmetrical Radial

BALANCE: SYMMETRICAL Formal balance: if you were to split the

artwork in half, both haves would be identical.

American 19th CenturyCutout of Animals, second

quarter 19th centuryGift of Edgar William and Bernice Chrysler Garbisch

1967

BALANCE: ASYMMETRICAL Informal- takes into

account hue, intensity, and value in addition to shape and size.

All of these qualities have an effect on the apparent weight of objects shown in an artwork.

For this category of balance we look for the “felt balance”

BALANCE: RADIAL BALANCE When objects are positioned around a

central point.

EMPHASIS

Also known as, contrast. A way of combining elements to stress

the differences between those elements.

Used to direct the viewers attentions to the most important parts of the design.

Gustav Klimt (Austrian, 1862-1918), Serena Lederer (died 1943), 1899, oil on canvas

Charles Demuth (American, 1883-

1935), The Figure 5 in Gold, 1928, oil on

cardboard

HARMONY

A way of combining similar elements in an artwork to accent their similarities.

Accomplished through repetitions and subtle, gradual changes.

VARIETY

A way of combining elements in involved ways to create intricate and complicated relationships.

Variety is accomplished by using differing lines, shapes and colors within an artwork to make key areas stand out.

Variety can be used to pull the eye to a focal point within the artwork.

HOW CAN VARIETY BE ACHIEVED

Variety - You create variety when elements are changed.

Repeating a similar shape but changing the size can give variety and unity at the same time.

Keeping the same size, but changing the color can also give variety and unity at the same time.

GRADATION A way of combining

elements by using a series of gradual changes in those elements. Examples: gradual

change from small shapes to large shapes.

From dark hue to light hue

MOVEMENT Principle of art used to create the look

and feeling of action and to guide the viewer's eye throughout the artwork.

This movement is achieved through the placement of elements so that the eye follows a certain path.

RHYTHM Careful placement of repeated

elements in a work of art to cause a visual tempo or beat.

Piet Mondrian (Dutch, 1872-1944), Broadway Boogie Woogie.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgjjXSvEPg0

PROPORTION The relationship of certain elements to the

whole and each other. Closely connected with emphasis. For example, if there is a greater number of

intense hues than dull hues in a work, emphasis is suggested.

For another example, if one figure is made to look larger compared to other figures in a composition, it is said to be out of proportion and is given greater importance.

Proportion is the principle of art concerned with the size of objects in relationship to other objects. The drawing by Leonardo da Vinci shows the proportions of the human face.