The process of selecting and organizing visual

elements and the product of that process In two-dimensional arts, this organization is referred as to composition.

 Unity and Variety

Balance
Emphasis and Subordination

Directional Forces
Contrast Repetition and Rhythm Scale and Proportion

 Unity and Variety are complementary with each other Unity is the appearance or condition of oneness. It describes the feeling that all the elements in a work

belong together and make up a coherent and

harmonious whole.

 Variety provides diversity, acts to counter unity Balance between unity and variety creates life.

Pattern refers to a repetitive ordering of design

elements.

Going Home
by Jacob Lawrence

Interior of a Dutch House by Pieter de Hooch

Chariot by Alberto Giacometti

 The achievement of equilibrium

A painting can depict an act of violence or imbalance-a

frenzied battle or a fall from a tight rope Two types of balance: Symmetrical (formal) and Asymmetrical (informal)

 Balance is both a visual issue and a structural

necessity.
It is the achievement of equilibrium, in which acting

influences are held in check by opposing forces

 Symmetrical Balance
The near or exact matching of left and right sides of a three-

dimensional form or a two-dimensional composition.

It is useful in architecture because it is easier to comprehend

than asymmetry.
It imposes a balanced unity and connotes permanence and

poise.

A Presidents House By: James Hoban 1793-1794

Portrait of the Hung-Chih Emperor

 Asymmetrical Balance
The left and right sides are not the same instead, various

elements are balancedaccording to their size and meaningaround a felt or implied center of gravity.

Evening Glow of the Ando by Suzuki Haranobu

The Holy Family on the Steps by Nicolas Poussin

 Emphasis is used to draw our attention to an area or

areas.
If that area is a specific spot or figure, it is called focal

point.

 Through subordination, an artist creates neutral areas

of lesser interest that keeps us from being distracted from the areas of emphasis.

The Holy Family on the Steps by Nicolas Poussin

 Directional Forces influence the attention we pay to

parts of an artwork. These are paths for the eye to follow provided by actual or implied lines.

Bullfight by Francisco Goya

 It is the juxtaposition of strongly dissimilar elements.

Without contrast, visual experience would be

monotomous.

Luster-Painted Bowl

 The repetition of visual elements give a composition

of unity, continuity, flow and emphasis Rhythm is created through the regular recurrence of elements with related variations.

Madonna of The Chair by Raphael Sanzio

Cranes by Ogata Korin

Zapatistas by Jose Clemente Orozco

 Scale is the size relation of one thing to another.

Proportion is the size relationship of parts to a whole

Format refers to the size and shape of a two-

dimensional picture plane The use of unnatural proportions to show the relative importance of figures is called Hierarchical scale

Shuttlecocks By Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen

Rembrandt van Rijns self-portrait

Pieta by Michelangelo Buonarroti

Pieta St. Marys Church, Poland

Sistine Chapel: Creation by Michelangelo