The Art Principles The Art Principles are the ways in which the Art Elements are arranged to create a successful artwork.
The 11 Art Principles Emphasis Contrast Movement Rhythm Repetition Pattern Variety Proportion Transition/Gradation Balance Unity
EMPHASIS EMPHASIS is used to create focus and dominance in an artwork. It’s the main object or focal point. It can be create by objects or the use of lines, shapes and colors. What is the Emphasis in this painting? Woman Seated by Edouard Vuillard
CONTRAST Definition: Contrast is a principle of design that emphasizes differences between the art elements. Opposites. Dark & light values Vertical & horizontal lines Rough & smooth textures Warm & cool colors Geometric & organic shapes
Identify all the CONTRASTS Flower Beds in Holland by Van Gogh
VARIETY Variety is the quality achieved when the art elements are combined in various combinations to increase visual interest. For example, a combination of warm & cool colors in an artwork would provide more variety & contrast than a painting that used strictly cool colors. Van Gogh’s Houses at Auvers
How is VARIETY used in this painting?
MOVEMENT Definition: Visual Movement is used by the artist to direct the viewer through the artwork. Movement can be directed along lines, edges, shapes and colors.
HOW IS MOVEMENT USED? Purple Robe by Henri Matisse Jackson Pollack’s Abstraction
RHYTHM Rhythm refers to a way of repeating art elements to produce the look and feel of rhythmic movement with a visual tempo or beat. The Art Elements: Line, shape, color, and texture can be repeated.
What Art Elements are repeated to create RHYTHM? Are lines repeated? Are shapes repeated? Are colors repeated? Are textures repeated? Are values repeated? Vincent Van Gogh’s Iris’s
Repetition Repetition is a way of combining art elements so that the same elements are used over and over. A repeated pattern. Jim Dine’s Hearts
Identify the REPETITIONS in this painting. Andy Warhol’s Mickey Mouse Andy Warhol’s 100 Cans of Campbell Soup
PATTERN PATTERN is a repetition of an art element: line, shape, color, or texture & used for surface decoration. M.C. Escher’s Angels & Devils
Identify PATTERNS in the Painting. Are lines repeating? Are shapes repeating? Are colors repeating? Are values repeating? Are textures repeating? Purple Robe by Henri Matisse
Proportion Proportion is the relationship in size of one component of an artwork to another. It could be a deliberate exaggeration or a technical device to achieve realism. Henri de Toulouse Lautrec
Identify the different Proportions. Rene Magritte’s Golconde Maurice Sendak’s Knight Kitchen
Transition/Gradation Transition/Gradation is the Principle of Design that deals with a series of gradual changes between an art element. For example, a value gradation can be light, medium & dark blue. Monet’s Stack of Wheat
Identify the Transitions/Gradations within the work. Picasso’s Guernica Eustache le Sueur’s, Meeknes
BALANCE Definition: Balance refers to the visual weight or achievement of equilibrium within the work of art. There are 3 types of balance: Symmetrical. Asymmetrical, & Radial. SYMMETRICAL Balance organizes the art elements so that one side mirrors the other side. ASYMMETRICAL Balance organizes the art elements so that they have equal weight on both sides without being the same. RADIAL Balance is where the art elements branch or radiate out from a central point.
What Type of Balance is Used? ASYMMETRICAL RADIAL SYMMETRICAL School of Athens by Raphael
What type of BALANCE is used? Asymmetrical Radial Symmetrical
What type of BALANCE is used? Asymmetrical Radial Symmetrical Hercules and the Hydra by Gustave Moreau
UNITY Definition: Unity refers to the visual quality of wholeness or oneness that is achieved through the effective use of the Art Elements and Principles of Design. Nothing more needs to be added or subtracted. The work is complete.
Why does this painting achieve UNITY? Why do the Art Elements work? Why do the Art Principles work? Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh
How are the Art Principles used? Emphasis Contrast Movement Rhythm Pattern Balance Unity Houses at Chatou Crossing by Maurice de Vlaminck
Vocabulary Review 1. Asymmetrical 8. Repetition 15. Movement 2. Contrast 9. Emphasis 16. Rhythm 3. Variety 10. Radial 17. Proportion 4. Atmospheric Perspective 11. Representation 18. Analogous color 5. Gradation 12. Focal point 19. Foreground 6. Monochromatic 13. 3-Dimensional 20. Non- Objective 7. Intensity 14. Abstract 21. Hue