Artists use principles of design to combine the visual elements of art into compositions that have a certain style, form, and content.
Many times unity is created by repetition of a shape, color, texture etc. In this work for example, we see the semi-circular shapes in the backs of the chairs creating a repeated rhythm that leads us back in space. Reds, white and black are also repeated throughout the composition. These elements unify or harmonize the work. There is also variation, or variety of shapes and colors, which adds interest. Without variety, we would be left with monotonous, predictable, dull works.
Doryphoros, by Polykleitos serves as an example of the weight shift principle the ancient Greeks mastered in their pursuit of realism. When the human figure is at rest, one leg bears the weight of the body, the other rests. So with the arms, diagonal to the resting leg, the arm rests etc. The end result is an S-curved spine also known as contrapposto. The appearance of the figure is balanced and natural looking.
Because sculptures have actual weight, they also have actual balance
Pictorial balance refers to the distribution of the apparent or visual weight of the elements in works that are basically two dimensional.
Formal Symmetry, also called pure or bilateral symmetry, occurs when everything in a composition to either side of an actual or imaginary line is identical. This rarely occurs in nature; and seldom occurs in art.
Bilateral symmetry gives a feeling of order and stability but is pretty predictable and may not be the most visually interesting.
Symmetrical balance can also be approximate. You can see in this work the over all shape and distribution of light and color along a central axis are very similar, but not identical. Slight variations add more interest.
When we see an image, our eyes instantly begin to read it, but not as we do text from left to right, but through visual pathways set up by the artist. Asymmetrical balance, also called informal balance, occurs when the variations to one side of the composition are more than slight, yet an overall sense of balance remains.
In works of art with horizontal balance, the elements in the left and right sides of the composition seem to be approximately equal in number or visual emphasis.
In works of art with vertical balance, the elements in the top and bottom of the composition are in balance.
In works of art with radial balance, the design elements radiate from a center point.
Some artists aim to shock the viewer or to play into a viewer’s discomfort by creating works with imbalance.
The tragedy of the shooting is intensified compositionally because of the visual weight on the left side that is dominating.
This can be done by:
accentuating certain shapes
intensifying value or color
featuring directional lines
strategically placing the objects and images.
Emphasis can be used to create focal points or specific parts of the work that seize and hold the viewer's interest.
The opposite of emphasis is subordination which an artist may use to create neutral areas of lesser interest that keep us from being distracted from the areas of emphasis. This is a way to create resting places for the eye.
Although color and repetition of shapes appear unified overall, the Xs grab the eye and bring it back to several focal points.
This can be done by:
accentuating certain shapes
intensifying value or color
featuring directional lines
strategically placing the objects and images.
Emphasis can be used to create focal points or specific parts of the work that seize and hold the viewer's interest.
The opposite of emphasis is subordination which an artist may use to create neutral areas of lesser interest that keep us from being distracted from the areas of emphasis. This is a way to create resting places for the eye.
Repetition of visual elements give a composition unity, continuity, flow and emphasis.
This is a small section of a large hand scroll