The Principles of Art

1. The Principles of Art The way in which artists arrange the Elements of Art in their composition The Principles of Art: Balance Emphasis Contrast/Variety Rhythm Movement

2. Balance: Symmetrical • Symmetrical balance (or formal): a roughly even distribution of visual weight or activity on each side of a central axis

4. Balance: Asymmetrical • Asymmetrical balance (or informal): larger masses on one side of a painting may be balanced by smaller, contrasting parts on the other side

6. Emphasis • Emphasis: the way of developing a main theme in a work • Answers the question, “What is the artist trying to say?” • Artists may emphasize one or more elements, or a particular subject or concept

8. Jan Vermeer, Officer and Laughing Girl, 1655-1660

10. Contrast/Variety • Contrast: a difference in values, colors, textures and other elements in order to achieve emphasis and interest • If all parts were alike a painting would be monotonous and boring • Light vs.- dark value contrast • Smooth vs.- rough • Soft vs.- hard • Large vs.- small

12. Jacques Villon, Portrait of Mlle. Y.D., 1913 • Squint your eyes and look at both paintings • What do you notice? • Both paintings are very different in style yet almost the same

14. Rhythm • Established when elements of a composition such as curves, angles, or vertical or horizontal lines are repeated • Can occur at regular or irregular intervals • Rhythm and movement are inseparable

16. Movement • Directs the eyes of the viewer to the center of interest or gives frozen in action feeling • The object can come alive with the handling of movement

17. Carravaggio, Martyrdom of St. Matthew, 1599-1600

18. Niccolo dell’Arca, The Lamentation, detail of one of the mourning figures, about 1485-1490