Principles of Design

1. formal analysis: an analysis of the appearance of a work of art, its form. Formal analyses are carried out by the evaluation of visual elements and principles of design.

2. unity: the repetition of shapes, textures, patterns, or colors that creates a sense of harmony or oneness. variety: a variety of shapes, textures, patterns, or colors that creates visual interest. Unity and variety usually go together--that is, they are often both present in a single work.

3. Georgia O’Keefe, Abstraction White Rose (1927). Oil on canvas.

4. Jacob Lawrence, Migration of the Negro (1940-41). Tempera on hardboard.

5. Andy Warhol, Two Hundred Campbell’s Soup Cans (1962). Oil on canvas.

6. balance: the achievement of visual equilibrium attained by use of color, size, and placement. A work of art can demonstrate balance either symmetrically or asymmetrically. Balance can also be described as horizontal, vertical, or radial.

7. Frida Kahlo, The Two Fridas (1939). Oil on canvas.

8. Nicholas Poussin, Holy Family on the Steps (1648). Oil on canvas.

9. Kazimir Malevich, Black Rectangle, Blue Triangle (1915). Oil on canvas. Kazimir Malevich, Suprematist Element: Circle (1915). Pencil.

10. Donato Bramante, Tempietto, Rome, Italy(c. 1502-03). Structure.

11. emphasis: any means used to draw the viewer’s attention to a particular area of a work and thus avoid monotony. There are three ways in which an artist can use emphasis: by focal point, subordination, and/or directional force.

12. Peter Paul Rubens, Prometheus Bound (1611-12). Oil on canvas.

13. Francisco Goya, Third of May, 1808 (1814-15). Oil on canvas.

14. Roy Lichtenstein, Sweet Dreams, Baby! (1965). Screenprint.

15. rhythm: the repetition of similar shapes. Rhythm is similar to unity--in fact, it is a way to create unity.

16. Donald Judd, Untitled (1966). Stainless steel.

17. Bridget Riley, Current (1964). Emulsion on cardboard.

18. Magdalena Abakanowicz, Backs (1976-82). Burlap and glue.

19. scale: the size relationship between two complete forms within a work or between a work and its viewer. proportion: the size relationship of parts to a whole. These terms are often mixed up, but each has a distinct definition.

20. Johannes Vermeer, Girl with the Red Hat (1666-67). Oil on canvas.

21. Jackson Pollack, Number 1, 1950 (Lavender Mist) (1950). Oil and enamel on canvas.

22. Richard Serra, Sylvester (2001). Weatherproof steel.

23. Cimabue, Virgin and Child (c. 1280-89). Tempera and gold on panel.

24. Marc Chagall, Paris Through the Window (1913). Oil on canvas.

25. Leonardo da Vinci, Canon of Human Proportions (c. 1485-90). Pen.

26. John Currin, The Pink Tree (1999). Oil on canvas.

27. Michelangelo, Pietà (1497-1500). Marble.

28. contrast: the juxtaposition of strongly dissimilar elements like colors or shapes--black next to white, for example, or organic shapes mixed with geometric shapes. Contrast is similar to variety--in fact, it’s a way to create variety.

29. Kara Walker, Insurrection!… (2000). Paper cutouts, projected light.

30. Arshile Gorky, The Liver is the Cock’s Comb (1944). Oil on canvas.

31. Alice Neel, Andy Warhol (1970). Oil on canvas.

32. Claes Oldenburg, Giant Soft Fan (1966-67). Vinyl filled with foam rubber, wood.