The elements and principles of art and design are the

foundation of the language we use to talk about

art. The elements of art are the visual tools that the artist
uses to create a composition. These are line, shape, color,
value, form, texture, and space.

The principles of art represent how the artist uses the

elements of art  to create an effect and to help convey the
artist's intent. The principles of art and design are balance,
contrast, emphasis, movement, pattern, rhythm, and
unity/variety. The use of these principles can help determine
whether a painting is successful, and whether or not the
painting is finished.

The artist decides what principles of art he or she wants to

use in a painting. While an artist might not use all the
principles of design in one piece, the principles are intertwined
and the use of one will often depend on another. For example,
when creating emphasis, the artist might also be using
contrast or vice versa. It is generally agreed that a successful
painting is unified, while also having some variety created
by areas
of contrast and emphasis; is visually balanced; and moves 
the viewer's eye around the composition. Thus it is that one
principle of art can influence the effect and impact of
another. 

The 7 principles of art

Balance refers to the visual weight of the elements of
the composition. It is a sense that the painting feels stable
and "feels right." Imbalance causes a feeling of discomfort in
the viewer.

Balance can be achieved in 3 different ways: 

 1. Symmetry, in which both sides of a composition have the
same elements in the same position, as in a mirror-image,
or the two sides of a face.
2. Asymmetry, in which the composition is balanced due to
the contrast of any of the elements of art. For example, a
large circle on one side of a composition might be
balanced by a small square on the other side
3. Radial symmetry,  in which elements are equally spaced
around a central point, as in the spokes coming out of the
hub of a bicycle tire.

See the article, Balance, for some visual examples of how the

elements of art can be used to achieve balance.

Contrast is the difference between elements of art in a

composition, such that each element is made stronger in
relation to the other. When placed next to each other,
contrasting elements command the viewer's attention. Areas
of contrast are among the first places that a viewer's eye is
drawn. Contrast can be achieved by juxtapositions of any of
the elements of art. Negative/Positive space is an example of
contrast. Complementary colors placed side by side is an
example of contrast. Notan is an example of contrast. 

Emphasis is when the artist creates an area of the

composition that is visually dominant and commands the
viewer's attention. This is often achieved by contrast.

Movement is the result of using the elements of art such that

they move the viewer's eye around and within the image. A
sense of movement can be created by diagonal or curvy lines,
either real or implied, by edges, by the illusion of space, by
repetition, by energetic mark-making. 

Pattern is the uniform repetition of any of the elements of art

or any combination thereof. Anything can be turned into a
pattern through repetition. Some classic patterns are
spirals, grids, weaves. For examples of different pattern types
see the Artlandia Glossary of Pattern Design. A popular
drawing practice is Zentangles, in which an abstract or
representational outline is divided into different areas, each of
which contains a unique pattern.

Rhythm is created by movement implied through the

repetition of elements of art in a non-uniform but organized
way. It is related to rhythm in music. Unlike pattern, which
demands consistency, rhythm relies on variety.

Unity/Variety You want your painting to feel unified such that

all the elements fit together comfortably. Too much unity
creates monotony, too much variety creates chaos.You need
both. Ideally, you want areas of interest in your composition
along with places for your eye to rest

The Principles of Art

 

The principles of art are rules or guidelines that are to be considered when

judging art. The principles are: repetition, variation, contrast, balance, proportion,
emphasis, pattern, and unity.
 

REPETITION (PATTERN / RHYTHM):

Yayoi Kusama

Pattern and rhythm (also known as repetition) is consistency with colors and lines.

Putting a red spiral at the bottom left and top right, for example will cause the eye to
move from one spiral to the other. It is indicating movement by the repetition of
elements. Rhythm makes an artwork seem active.
 
    a. Rhythm – Recurring elements
        Regular Rhythm – same elements
        Irregular Rhythm – Similar elements
   b. Harmony – Logical repetition
   c. Dissonance – Illogical repetition
   d. Pattern
 
Muslim Architecture
 
FRACTALS
www.enchgallery.com
 
Repetition and simplification in the music Ready Steady Go by Paul
Oakenfold: Collateral Club Scene.
 
VARIATION / VARIETY

Variety is the quality of having different forms or types. The differences give a
design visual and conceptual interest: notably use of contrast, emphasis,
difference in size and color.
 

CONTRAST

Contrast show differences and diversity in an artwork by combining elements to

create interest. Contrast provides an artwork with something interesting to break
the repetitions.
 
In the first two measures of Bach's Invention No. 8 in F major you can find every
contrast in music. In the first measure we have notes against silence. In the
second measure we have the notes in the right hand being played twice as fast,
attached (legato), and going down in pitch. In the left hand, we have notes being
played twice as slow, detached (staccato), and going up in pitch.

Listen:
Ryan Layne Whitney - Bach: Invention No. 8 in F major, on clavichord

Bach: Inventions on Violin and Cello

 
 
BALANCE (p102)

Balance is arranging elements so that no one part of a work overpowers, or seems

heavier than any other part. Two different kinds of balance are:

     a. Symmetrical Balance

     b. Asymmetrical Balance

Types of Symmetrical Balance:

- Radial Symmetry
 Plate from Ernst Haeckel's Kunstformen der Natur.
These sea anemones display radial symmetry.
 
- Pentamerism

Pentamerism is a variation of radial symmetry. These are arrangements of

equal parts around a central axis.
 

 
- Bilateral Symmetry

In bilateral symmetry (also called plane symmetry) two mirrored halves can be referred
to as the right and left.
The Brooklyn Bridge is a great example of symmetry, repetition, and line.
Notice the two gothic arches - and the keystone at the top of each arch.
 
- Asymmetric
No symmetry is called asymmetric.
 

PROPORTION
 

Proportion is  the size relationship of forms and shapes. Good proportion causes
a sense of unity and harmony.

Fibonacci Spiral

   
Human Body Image  II
 
Francesco Di Giorgio Martini
Francesco di Giorgio Martini (1439 – 1502) was an Italian painter, sculptor,
architect, and military engineer who built almost seventy fortifications.
 
EMPHASIS / FOCAL POINT
 
Emphasis (also called focal point) is where the focus is concentrated through
design principles or meaning. To do this one develops points of interest to pull
the viewer's eye to important parts of the work. It is to make one part of an
artwork dominant. It makes an element or object in a work stand out. To use
emphasis in an artwork is to attract the viewer's eyes to a place of special
importance in a artwork.
 
UNITY

Unity or 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 arrangement of elements and
principles to create a feeling of completeness.
 

ARTICULATION / MOVEMENT
Articulation, or movement, is the path the viewer's eye follows throughout an
artwork. If your eyes stay within the work, the composition is closed. If your eyes
stay outside the work, the composition is called open. 
 

The Principles of
Design
The principles of design refer to the manner in which the elements of
art are arranged in a work of art. Since the principles of art mostly deal
the organization of a work of art, they mainly influence the
composition. By mastering the principles of art, we can improve our
drawing and painting compositions.

Balance in art is just what is sounds like; it is the sense of

stability in a work of art. To create balance in art, artists
combine the visual components to ensure that one part of
the artwork doesn’t completely overshadow the rest. Each
choice made by the artist is a deliberate one in order to
ensure equilibrium and balance in the art. Artists create this
pleasing effect using the different types of balance in art
listed below.
What is symmetrical balance in art? Symmetrical balance in
art is when each half of the artwork is identical or very
similar. Draw a line through the artwork and compare each
side.

What is asymmetrical balance in art? Asymmetrical balance

in art is when each half is different but has equal visual
weight. The artwork is still balanced. For example, in the
Caravaggio (the picture in the right in the collage), the three
men are balanced with Jesus on the left. Jesus is facing
forward and in brighter light which balances out the three
men in shadow.

What is radial balance in art? Radial balance in art is when

there are equal parts that radiate out from the center. Think
of it like pieces of pie. You will find in the examples of
balance in art here that there can be many equal pieces–
from 3 in the Charles II Charger to 16 in the Gothic Rose
window!

OFF-BALANCE OR UNBALANCED
ARTWORKS (KIND OF)
It’s hard to find artworks that are unbalanced by well-known
artists. These teeter on the edge between asymmetrically-
balanced and unbalanced. It’s up for debate and would be a
great discussion with your students!