Readings

College of Architecture and Fine Arts Education
Room H4L.1, 4th Floor, DPT Building

Matina Campus, Davao City
Telefax: (082)297-1466
Phone No.: (082)300-5456Local 109
Week 6-8:
Big Picture in Focus:

ULO B. Demonstrate the principles of visual organization in art as
employed in the production of art.
Metalanguage
For you to demonstrate ULOb, you will need to have an operational understanding
of the following terms below. Please note that you will also be required to refer to the previous
definitions found in ULOa sections.
1. Principles of Art. A set of criteria which are used to explain how the visual
elements are arranged in a work of art.
2. Balance. It is concerned with the visual distribution or weight of the elements in a
work of art
3. Pattern [Rhythm]. A very important design concept which refers to the visual
arrangement of elements with a repetitive form or intelligible sequence.
4. Harmony. It refers to how well all the visual elements work together in a work of art.
Elements which are in harmony should have some kind of logical progression or
relationship.
Essential Knowledge
This area of essential knowledge will focus on the elements of texture and value as
part of the visual language of art known as the elements of the visual arts. Be informed that
you are not limited to solely refer to these given resources. Hence, you are expected to
make use of other reference materials (books, research articles, journals, video) and other
resources that are available in the university’s library e.g. ebrary, search.proquest.com
etc.
Principles of Art [Design]

____________________________
1. Balance
It is concerned with the visual distribution or weight of the elements in a work of art. In
painting, it is the visual equilibrium of the elements that causes the total image to
appear balanced.
Balance can be either symmetrical [formal or classical balance] or asymmetrical

[informal or occult balance] in a work of art. It can also be radial or value balance.
Telefax: (082)297-1466
Phone No.: (082)300-5456Local 109
Telefax: (082)297-1466
Phone No.: (082)300-5456Local 109
Telefax: (082)297-1466
Phone No.: (082)300-5456Local 109
Telefax: (082)297-1466
Phone No.: (082)300-5456Local 109
Telefax: (082)297-1466
Phone No.: (082)300-5456Local 109
Visual Analysis [Balance]
In Winslow Homer’s painting, Dressing for the Carnival, the artist tells a story of a performer
putting on his costume while fascinated children watch. He uses every strong value contrast to
emphasized intense sunlight and shadows. He balanced values, shapes and colors to create a
unified visual statement with the central carnival figure as the focal point.
Telefax: (082)297-1466
Phone No.: (082)300-5456Local 109
2. Pattern [Rhythm]
A very important design concept which refers to the visual arrangement of elements
with a repetitive form or intelligible sequence.
It is the repetition of visual movement – colors, shapes, or lines. Variety is essential

to keep rhythms exciting and active. Movement and rhythm work together to create
the visual equivalent of a musical beat.
Rhythm is identified as regular, irregular, staccato and progressive rhythm.

Telefax: (082)297-1466
Phone No.: (082)300-5456Local 109
Telefax: (082)297-1466
Phone No.: (082)300-5456Local 109
Telefax: (082)297-1466
Phone No.: (082)300-5456Local 109
Visual Analysis [RHYTHM]
Marcel Duchamp [Doo-shanh] painted Nude Descending a Staircase to

Show the rhythmic movement of a figure coming down the stairs. The
effect is like stop-action or strobe light photography, because the repeated
shapes and angles of the abstracted figure move diagonally across the
canvass. Try to feel the rhythm the next time you walk down some stairs.
Telefax: (082)297-1466
Phone No.: (082)300-5456Local 109
3. Harmony [Unity]
Telefax: (082)297-1466
Phone No.: (082)300-5456Local 109
It refers to how well all the visual elements work together in a work of art. Elements
which are in harmony should have some kind of logical progression or relationship.
Visual unity is one of the most important aspects of well-designed art and is planned
by the artist. Unity provide the cohesive quality that makes an artwork fell complete
and finished. When all elements in a work look as though they belong together, the
artist has achieved harmony or unity.
Telefax: (082)297-1466
Phone No.: (082)300-5456Local 109
Telefax: (082)297-1466
Phone No.: (082)300-5456Local 109
Visual Analysis [HARMONY/UNITY]

Telefax: (082)297-1466
Phone No.: (082)300-5456Local 109
Vincent van Gogh was concerned with the unity of his paintings. In the Starry Night, the swirling brush
strokes and dominance of cool colors tends to unify the surface and create the feeling that everything
belongs together.
Telefax: (082)297-1466
Phone No.: (082)300-5456Local 109
Telefax: (082)297-1466
Phone No.: (082)300-5456Local 109
Self-Help: You can also refer to the sources below to help you
further understand the lesson:
*Cayas, R., et Al. (2013). ALAMPAT: An Introduction to Arts Appreciation.

*Ocvrick, O. (2002). Art Fundamentals: Theory and Practice
*https://www.pinterest.ph/
* http://www.teacheroz.com/apah-elements.pdf

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College of Architecture and Fine Arts Education

Room H4L.1, 4th Floor, DPT Building

Big Picture in Focus:

Principles of Art [Design]

Balance can be either symmetrical [formal or classical balance] or asymmetrical

Visual Analysis [Balance]

It is the repetition of visual movement – colors, shapes, or lines. Variety is essential

Rhythm is identified as regular, irregular, staccato and progressive rhythm.

Visual Analysis [RHYTHM]

Marcel Duchamp [Doo-shanh] painted Nude Descending a Staircase to

Visual Analysis [HARMONY/UNITY]

*Cayas, R., et Al. (2013). ALAMPAT: An Introduction to Arts Appreciation.

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