…or, what are the tools needed to make really great works of art? Principles of Art …or, what are the tools needed to make really great works of art?

Elements vs. Principles With the first mark on a page, you are creating a composition. Learning to manipulate the art elements and principles to achieve a unified composition may take a lifetime to master—but let's get started! You need to know what your tools are first. Hopefully you have learned the Elements of art. They are the building materials for art. Now you must learn and be able to apply the Principles of art. They are the tools used to manipulate the building blocks. (Elements)

The Principles of Art are: Do I haft’a know theses for some test? The Principles of Art are: Proportion Movement Emphasis Contrast Repetition / Pattern Unity Balance I guess I’d better get out my notebook and a pencil. Yes. You need to know these for the test

Proportion Proportion is the size relationships of parts. It is the comparison of part: part and part: whole.

Movement is where the viewer's eye is made to follow a path through the artwork. You eye will follow a pattern that the artist has skillfully created. Movement: See how the eye follows a path and traces over the runner as he moves. The artist created this work so that your eye would follow a pattern.

Emphasis Emphasis is used to stress important parts of an artwork. Artist use it to make certain parts stand out by usually using color or size. Another technique used to create emphasis is by making a focal point (a point where the artwork comes together). In this design all object are the same shapes and similar sizes yet the artist easily created emphasis with color alone. The blue object catches your eye first for it is the only color different from the rest. The blue stands out amongst the red.

Emphasis Emphasis in composition: The term emphasis also can be called "dominance" or dominant. A feature may be dominant owing to its size, its color, or some other device which the artist uses to draw attention to the point of focus or main interest. One reliable way to create a good placement of Emphasis or interest is the ‘Rule of Thirds’

Contrasts in composition: Contrast suggest differences between any of the elements being described. Such as size contrast, color contrast, line movement (movements) contrast, tonal contrast. Any visual element can be contrasted. Contrast contributes to clarity and variety. Contrast

Contrast can help make variety Variety: Refers to different kinds of visual content, it refers to "differences" in general. Why variety? Variety makes things interesting, without it we experience Monotony or Boredom. 

Variety is used to create interest by making a range of all different types of parts. To create variety an artist needs to use diversity of the elements. When adding variety one has to be careful to make sure that everything is still unified in some way. Variety Different sizes and colors for variety but still unified by shape.

Rhythm Rhythm is what makes artwork flow by using patterns and repetition. If a piece has good rhythm the work should flow freely without interruption. There are two types of rhythms: random rhythms and regular rhythms. Random rhythms are harder to pull of for there is no set pattern. A regular rhythm is one where there is an obvious pattern.

Rhythm Rhythm in composition: Rhythm is a system of adding visual varieties of shapes or movements that resemble (show similarity to) others in the composition. Repetition is the way rhythm occurs. Repetition means repeating line movements or similar shapes or forms throughout the picture area or "design space." Strong vertical rhythm may be called for in such subjects as trees in forest or sky scraper cityscapes. Vertical movements sometimes are used to symbolize "heavenward" or inspiration such as a church steeple. Strong horizontal rhythm might be suggested by landscape vistas, or ocean seascapes. Horizontals suggest peace and repose.

Transition Transition in composition: Transition is a design effect which relates to contrast listed earlier. But in transition there is an attempt to gradually show steps or in-between changes between two extremes of an element. For example a transition between large and small would be "medium"; a transition between black and white would be a middle tone; a transition between vertical and horizontal line direction would be a diagonal. Etc. Why use transition? Transition is a harmonizing tool. It makes "unlikes" look more harmonious. It also brings a quality of "rhythm" into the composition. Rhythm is listed below. 

Unity is used to create a feeling of completeness where everything flows together. One must balance harmony and variety carefully. All of the objects are round and the repetition in shape unifies the creation. Unity

Arrangement or grouping Arrangement or grouping in Composition: Generally artists will form the main objects in the composition into a kind of group. If you connect the main objects in the composition with a line you will probably notice a kind of "shape" made by the object. This is shape may be triangular (very popular during the Renaissance) or some other shape. If a person is not thinking about "grouping" the result will probably be "random" or unplanned.

Tension in composition: Tension is a way of creating a visual "drama" within the groupings of lines and forms. Tension comes when elements are not visually comfortable with each other.  Sometimes lines seem to be interrupted in their paths or seem to collide with other directions of movement. Tension also comes from using certain kinds of elements that produce a sense of energy. Like bright vibrating color harmonies. Some kind of lines such as angular or jagged line. Tension

Patterns add a decorative quality to art. Repeating an object or form is the basis of decorative  pattern Pattern adds an element of beauty to an otherwise plain or drab - purely functional - form. Patterns are a basic part of art creation. Patterns are key to making handicrafts. They play a large role in ethnic or native art. We can apply pattern to decorate various types of craft projects.  Our clay design projects will include pattern.  

Pattern A slight variation is to alternate two or more forms in a systematic way      Repeating either upside down, mirrored, or flipped is another system      Grouping objects or clustering objects  Placing patterns and forms inside of other forms      

Pattern Arranging repeated objects to form a line  The line can make a border or have another use Any family of forms can be varied and produce slight differences in pattern

Clarity Clarity in composition: Clarity results from having enough focus, darkness, or other emphasis of elements. The result is that they can be viewed clearly from a distance. High contrast extremes create very vivid images. Very low contrasts create unclear images. At times artists may intentionally choose to use a "high key" effect in which all forms may be nearly the same color such as the white on white designs sometimes seen in fashion photos. Example of ‘high key’ effect. (Usually used as ‘background’ and often termed ‘washed out’.)

Balance is the arrangement of elements so that all is equalized Balance is the arrangement of elements so that all is equalized. Visually all the weight is equal and no part dominates completely. Forms of symmetry are often used to define balance. There are three types of balance: formal/symmetrical, informal/asymetrical, and radial. Formal/symmetrical balance is where both sides of the work are the same or mirror images. In informal/asymetrical balance the picture is equalized and there is the same visual weight, but they are not mirror images. Radial balance is where everything grows from a central point. Balance

Balance in composition: Just as when two people ride a teeter totter there is a sense of balancing weights, the distribution of objects in a picture follow a kind of system. Balance

BALANCE Symmetrical (or formal balance) approximates an even distribution on either side. (called Formal, common in Renaissance or Classic Greek images). Asymmetrical (or Informal balance) is general more uneven with an area made of many small forms to counter balance a single large form. Radial balance ties all of the elements together by a system of connection to a central point.  Symmetrical Balance (Formal) Asymmetrical Balance (Informal)

How many principles of art can you find in this painting? Proportion Movement Emphasis Contrast Repetition / Pattern Unity Balance Proportion Movement Emphasis Contrast Repetition / Pattern Unity Balance

Your Assignment: Create a work of art utilizing five (5) elements and four (4) principles of art. The subject matter, style, medium and technique are your own, however you are responsible to gather and organize your own reference material (scrap) not on school time.