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The Principles of Art: The rules that govern how artists organize the
elements of art.
1. Balance: Principle of art concerned with equalizing visual forces, or
elements, in a work of art. If a work of art has visual balance, the
viewer feels that the elements have been arranged in a satisfying way.
Visual imbalance makes the viewer feel that the elements need to be
rearranged. The three types of visual balance are:
1. Formal: way of organizing parts of a design so that equal, or
very similar, elements are placed on opposite sides of a central
axis. Formal Balance suggests stability. Symmetry is a type of
formal balance. Opposite of informal balance.
2. Informal: Way of organizing parts of a design involving a
balance of unlike objects. Asymmetry is another term for
informal balance. Opposite of formal balance.
3. Radial: Type of balance in which forces or elements of a design
come out (radiate) from a central point.
2. Rhythm: The principle of art that indicates movement by the
repetition of elements. Visual rhythm is perceived through the eyes
and is created by repeating positive spaces separated by negative
spaces. There are five types of rhythm:
1. Random rhythm: Visual rhythm in which a motif is repeated in
no apparent order, with no regular spaces.
2. Regular rhythm: Visual rhythm achieved through repeating
identical motifs using the same intervals of space between
them.