Differentiate the

principles of art
 In this lesson you are about to
learn the following principles of
art.
• Balance
• Scale and proportion
• Emphasis and contrast
• Unity and variety
• Harmony
• Movement
• Rhythm
• Repetition and pattern
 Balance
• Balance in art is one of the
basic principles of design.
• Balance refers to how the elements
of art—line, shape, color, value,
space, form, texture—relate to each
other within the composition in
terms of their visual weight to create
visual equilibrium. That is, one side
does not seem heavier than another.
 There are a few
types of balance:
• Symmetry: A form of
balance achieved by the
use of identical balance
compositional units on
either side of a vertical axis
within the picture plane.
• Approximate Symmetry: A
form of balance achieved
by the use of similarly
balanced compositional
units on either side of a
vertical axis within the
picture plane.
• Radial Symmetry: A form
of balance than is even,
radiating out from a central
points to all four quadrants
of the shape’s constraining
plane.
• Asymmetry: A form of balance
attained when the visual units
on balance either side of a
vertical axis are not identical
but are placed in positions
within the picture plane so as
to create a “felt” equilibrium
of the total form concept.
Scale and Proportion
• Proportion refers to the relative size
and scale of the various elements in
a design. The issue is the relationship
between objects, or parts, of a
whole. This means that it is
necessary to discuss proportion in
terms of the context or standard
used to determine proportions.
Emphasis and Contrast
• Emphasis is defined as an area or object
within the artwork that draws attention and
becomes a focal point.
• Subordination is defined as minimizing or
toning down other compositional elements in
order to bring attention to the focal point.
• Focal point refers to an area in the
composition that has the most significance, an
area that the artist wants to draw attention to
as the most important aspect.
 Unity and Variety
• Unity in an artwork creates a sense of
harmony and wholeness, by using similar
elements within the composition and placing
them in a way that brings them all together.
• Variety adds interest by using contrasting
elements within the composition.
• The example below is a very simple illustration
of the principle, using circles of different sizes
and colors to show how a composition can be
unified by similarities, and how interest can be
added by varying aspects of the composition.
Wasily Kandinsky Several Circles (Einige Kreise),
January–February 1926.
 Harmony
• Harmony in art and design is
the visually satisfying effect of
combining similar, related
elements. For instance:
adjacent colors on the color
wheel, similar shapes etc.
 Movement
• Movement is the path our
eyes follow when we look at a
work of art, and it is generally
very important to keep a
viewer’s eyes engaged in the
work. Without movement,
artwork becomes stagnant.
• A few good strategies to evoke
a sense of movement (among
many others) are using
diagonal lines, placing shapes
so that the extend beyond the
boundaries of the picture
plane, and using changing
values.
 Rhythm
•A continuance, a flow, or
a feeling of movement
achieved by the
repetition of regulated
visual information.
 The Scream
• The Scream is the popular name
given to a composition created by
Norwegian Expressionist artist
Edvard Munch in 1893. The
original German title given by
Munch to his work was Der Schrei
der Natur, and the Norwegian
title is Skrik
Repetition and Pattern
• Repetition refers to one object or
shape repeated; pattern is a
combination of elements or
shapes repeated in a recurring
and regular arrangement;
rhythm--is a combination of
elements repeated, but with
variations.
 Thank you
for listening!