Chapter 2 The Principles of Art

the art principle of movement is dependent on...

...the element of line to create a sense of motion

informal balance

In art, the problem of balance is solved through the use of color and other elements -- a small, brightly colored shape or form in one area of a work will balance a larger, dull one elsewhere. The two shapes carry the same "visual weight."

balance

a principle of art concerned with arranging the elements so that no one part of the work overpowers, or seems heavier than, any other part

pattern

a two-dimensional, decorative visual repetition.

the eight principles of art

balance, variety, harmony, emphasis, proportion, movement, rhythm, and pattern

variety

combining one or more elements of art to create interest -- a splash of brilliant color to add zest to a painting that has mostly dull tones or a free-form shape to add pep to a work done with mostly geometric shapes

harmony

combining the elements of art to accent their similarities -- an excess of variety can be offset by using the principle of harmony

interdependent

dependent on one another

principles of art

guidelines (rules) that govern the way artists organize (arrange) the elements of art

proportion

how parts of a work relate to each other and to the whole

emphasis

making an element or an object in a work stand out -- to attract a viewer's attention to an important part of a work -- artists can create emphasis through contrast (colors)

formal balance

one half of a work is a mirror image of the other half -- can give a feeling of dignity to a work of art

radial balance

shapes or forms are arranged around a central point -- snowflakes, bicycle tires

unity

the arrangement of elements and principles of art to create a feeling of completeness or wholeness

picture plane

the flat surface of a painting or drawing

rhythm

the principle of art that indicates movement through the repetition of elements and objects

movement

the principle of art that leads the viewer to sense action in a work, or it can be the path the viewer's eye follows through the work

motif

the unit of repetition in a visual pattern