THE PRINCIPLES

OF DESIGN

Haslam Creation

Gustav Klimt. Fredericke Maria Beere. 1916. Oil on canvas. 168 x 130 cm.

Haslam Creation

Balance

Rhythm and Movement

ProportionVariety,

Emphasis, Harmony, and Unity

The Principles of Design are:

Haslam Creation

The whole purpose for learning the Principles of Design is to know how to put your art work together.In other words, like building a model, the Principles of Design let you know where all of the pieces go.

The purpose of this slide show is to help you as an artist, recognize and utilize these basic principles in nature and in your art work.

Mastering the Principles of Design will allow you to express your ideas and feelings in a way that those who view your work will better understand what you are trying to say.

Rhythm and Movement

Haslam Creation

•Rhythm is a hand-clapping, toe tapping musical beat.•Rhythm is the throb of bass notes booming out of stereo speakers. It is the steady strumming on a guitar.•Rhythm is the synchronization of a marching band and a drill team making snappy moves.•Rhythm is the flashing lights and wailing sounds of fire engines.•Rhythm is the coming and going of the moon.•Rhythm is the steady beating of a heart.•Rhythm is tempo.•Rhythm is beat.

:excerpt from ART TALK second edition

Claude Monet. Water Lilies. 1917. Oil on canvas

Observe the rhythmic pattern of the lilies in this Monet painting.

This type of rhythm is called “visual rhythm” because you see it with your eyes rather than hearing it with your ears.

Haslam Creation

Rhythm is the principle of design that indicates movement by the repetition of elements.

Rene Magritte. Gonconda. 1953. Oil on canvas

Notice the repetition in this Magritte painting.

This painting uses a “motif” which is a piece that is repeated in visual rhythm. In a motif, the piece can be a duplicate of the first, but it can also be somewhat different from the original as well.

Haslam Creation

Rhythm is the principle of design that indicates movement by the repetition of elements.

Rene Magritte. Cicerone. 1957. Oil on canvas

Types of Rhythm1. Random Rhythm –

motif repeated with no order or regularity between spaces.

2. Regular Rhythm – identical motifs with regular spacing.

3. Alternating Rhythm – can be accomplished by changing motifs, placement, spaces.

4. Flowing Rhythm – can be made by repeating curved or wavy lines. (e.g.- ocean waves)

5. Progressive Rhythm – a change in the motif each time the motif is repeated. (e.g.- a number series) Haslam Creation

Rhythm is the principle of design that indicates movement by the repetition of elements.

http://www.sorengallery.com/images/fight_or_flight.jpg

…AND

Haslam Creation

Movement is the principle of design used to create the look and feeling of action.

Frida Kahlo. My Dress Hangs There. 1933. Oil and collage on Masonite

Haslam Creation

Movement guides the viewer’s eyes throughout the work of art.

BalancBalance is the principle of design concerned with equalizing visual forces, or elements, in a work of art.

Haslam Creation

e

Here are some words associated with Balance:Central axisFormal BalanceSymmetryRadial BalanceInformal Balance (asymmetrical balance)Others are: size and contour; color; value; texture; and position

Haslam Creation

Central Axis: dividing line that works like the point of balance in the balance scale.

This drawing shows the evolution of the Olmec Rain God masks of the Mayans. Notice that all but two of the masks have a vertical axis along their center line.

Formal Balance occurs when equal, or very similar elements are placed on opposite sides of a central axis.

http://ark.cdlib.org/ark:/13030/ft7x0nb536/

Haslam Creation

Symmetry: is considered to be formal balance. Symmetry occurs when the two halves are mirror images of each other. In other words, it is the reverse, but identical image of the opposite side.

Consider this: Although the human body has bilateral symmetry (both sides are alike), they are not exactly the same. There can be subtle differences in nature (natural bilateral symmetry).

Notice that both sides of this football are nearly identical.

Haslam Creation

This painting by Georgia O’Keeffe uses symmetry.

Georgia O’Keeffe.Cows Skull: Red, While, and Blue.1931. Oil on Canvas. 39”x 35”

Haslam Creation

Radial Balance: this occurs when the elements of design radiate, that is, come out from a central point.

A good example would be a wheel.

Haslam Creation

Informal Balance: (also known as asymmetrical balance) uses unlike objects to create balance. The objects should have the visual feeling they are equal. Asymmetrical balance is not as rigid as formal balance and is therefore more comfortable.

Edward Hopper.First Row Orchestra. 1951.Oil on canvas

Do you see how the weight of the curtains in the upper left corner are offset by the weight of the crowd in the lower right corner? Doesn’t this seem to balance the painting?

Haslam Creation

Other ways to create are: ;

balance size

contourtexture;

color; value;

and position

Haslam Creation

Size: A large shape or form will always seem to be heavier than a small shape or form. An artist will usually create several small shapes to balance out a large one.

Edward Hopper. First Row Orchestra. 1951. oil on canvas

Edward Hopper did this with the large curtain and smaller, but numerous people in the audience.

Haslam Creation

Contour: The more detail given to an object, the heavier it seems. Detail out-weighs simplicity.

Haslam Creation

Color: Bright (high intensity) colors have more visual weight that dull (low intensity) colors.

What is different about this slide from the previous slide?

Haslam Creation

Value: The element of art that describes the darkness or lightness of an object. Value depends on how much light a surface reflects. Value is also one of the three properties of color.

Haslam Creation

Texture: The element of art that refers to how things feel, or look as if they might feel if touched. Texture is perceived by touch and sight. Objects can have rough or smooth textures and matte or shiny surfaces.

Does this change what you see?

Haslam Creation

Position: placement of large and small objects and the use of the negative space around them creates balance in a work of art.

“Check out the next slide and you’ll see what I mean.”

Haslam Creation

Katsushika Hokusai. The Great Wave off Kanagawa. C.1823-29. Woodblock print. 25.7 x 38 cm.

Haslam Creation

ProportionThe principle of

art that is concerned with the sizerelationship of one object to another.

Haslam Creation

Hollywood has used proportion (exaggerated) many, many times.

I don’t know who did this one, but we even Photoshop “exaggerated” proportion for fun.

…and even Nature, at times, gets involved with exaggerating proportion.

Haslam Creation

But there is more to proportion than exaggerating, or having one thing being bigger than another. Proportion in nature is very mathematical, and nature has been practicing it for millions of years.In art, learning to use proportion is important. Not only does it enhance realism, but it will help you convey emotion as well. Proportion is necessary in creating two and three dimensional art.

We are going to look at the:• “Golden Mean or ratio”• Proportion and scale• and, how to measure and

draw the human face and body using correct proportions.

Haslam Creation

The Golden Mean: a line divided into two parts so that the smaller line has the same proportion, or ratio, to the larger line as the larger line has to the whole line. This ratio is 1 to 1.6 ( 1 : 1.6 ).

Point of Interest: This ratio relates to the human form as well. Dividing the body in half at the navel, the body proportions are 1 : 1.6. How cool is that.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7Head to navel 1.

Navel to toe, 1.6.

This also works out to be about 7and ½ heads for body length.

Haslam Creation

The head is divided into fourths (1/4) along a central axis, with the eyes in the center of the head. The top quarter line is near the hairline and the bottom quarter line is just under the nose.

Leonardo da Vinci “Mona Lisa”

Haslam CreationLeonardo da Vinci “Profile of an old Man”

Again notice the head divides into four equal parts.

Now notice the inverted right isosceles triangle. It’s horizontal and vertical lines are the same length from the back of the eye to the back of the ear, and the back of the eye to the bottom of the chin. Use this formula when creating a profile drawing.

Haslam Creation :excerpt from ART TALK second edition

Variety

Emphasis

Harmony

Unity

Is a principle of design that makes one part of a work dominant over the other parts.

Is a principle of design that creates unity by stressing the similarities of separate but related parts.

Unity, which is actually part of harmony, is the quality of wholeness or oneness that is achieved through the effective use of the elements and principles of art. It is the glue that binds all of the elements and principles to produce a successful work of art.

Is the principle of design concerned with difference or contrast.

Haslam Creation

Variety Provides contrast and keeps a work from becoming boring and monotonous.

Enhanced photos of one of my sculptures

Haslam Creation

EmphasisIs a principle that enhances variety, because it creates a feeling of dominance and subordination. The dominant area is usually the focal point that attracts the attention of the viewer before the subordinate areas.

Tony Haslam, “Tinkle, Tinkle, Little Star”, Acrylic on Canvas, 2007

Haslam Creation

Harmony

Harmony enhances unity because it uses similarities and relatedness to tie elements together.

Tony Haslam, “The Art Class”, Acrylic on Canvas, 2003

Haslam Creation

Unity Unity and variety complement one another in the same way that positive and negative spaces compliment each other. Unity organizes and controls variety, while variety adds interest to unity.

Tony Haslam, “The Art Class”, close up views, Acrylic on Canvas, 2003

Haslam Creation

Use of the Elements and Principles of Art, and thinking how to use them, will increase your ability to create works of art. As an artist, I find this information invaluable and necessary.

There are always going to be times when you create something “off the fly” that is interesting and maybe even something you may want to keep, however as a student of visual art, the Elements and Principles must be part of your creation.

If you approach your work by planning, pre-drawing, and editing your work before actually starting it, and having these principles in mind, your works will continually improve and be successful works of art.

Tony Haslam, “Looking Out To Sea” , oil on Canvas, 2002