1. Creating a Strong Composition Visual Art 1A/B Mrs. Lori Love
Principles Of Design
Creating a Strong Composition
Visual Art 1A/B
Mrs. Lori Love

2. Principles Of Design: Part I
Composition
Emphasis
Dominance
Contrast
Unity
*Take notes on the Yellow Text

3. Elements of Art are the “ingredients”
One could say that:
Elements of Art are the “ingredients”
Line
Color
Texture
Shape
Form
Space
Value
Principles of Design are the “recipes”
How the elements are arranged in a work of art.
This is called…..

4. Principles Of Design: Composition
Composition: the arrangement in a design of visual elements such as color, light and shade, shapes and lines.
Richard Dibenkorn “Cityscape I”

5. Principles Of Design: Emphasis
Emphasis: Makes one part of a work dominant over the other parts. The element noticed first is called dominant; the elements noticed later are called subordinate.
Tony Vevers “Province”

6. Principles Of Design: Dominance
Dominance: The part of a design that is most important, powerful or has the most influence.
Vincent van Gogh “Cypresses”

7. Principles Of Design: Contrast
Contrast: Technique for creating a focal point by using differences in elements.
Neil Welliver, “Thawed Ledge“

8. Principles Of Design: Contrast
Draw 5 boxes. In each box, draw an example of each:
Value Contrast
Shape Contrast
Texture Contrast
Color Contrast
Line Contrast
Value Contrast

9. Principles Of Design: Contrast
Draw 5 boxes. In each box, draw an example of each:
Value Contrast
Shape Contrast
Texture Contrast
Color Contrast
Line Contrast
Shape Contrast

10. Principles Of Design: Contrast
Draw 5 boxes. In each box, draw an example of each:
Value Contrast
Shape Contrast
Texture Contrast
Color Contrast
Line Contrast
Texture Contrast

11. Principles Of Design: Contrast
Draw 5 boxes. In each box, draw an example of each:
Value Contrast
Shape Contrast
Texture Contrast
Color Contrast
Line Contrast
Color Contrast uses color wheel opposites.

12. Principles Of Design: Contrast
Draw 5 boxes. In each box, draw an example of each:
Value Contrast
Shape Contrast
Texture Contrast
Color Contrast
Line Contrast
Line Contrast How many ways can you contrast line? (thick, thin, long, short, jagged, curvy…)

13. Principles Of Design: Unity
Unity: gives a work of art a sense of completeness. Creating visual unity with variety involves the juxtaposing of similar and contrasting elements of art.
Juxta means “next to
posing means “placing”
Vincent van Gogh “Starry Night”

14. Principles Of Design: Unity
One way to create a unifying artwork is to repeat two contrasting elements three to four times each. Make sure to make each element similar not exactly the same. Draw your own example.

15. Principles Of Design: Part II
To be continued another class….

16. Principles Of Design: Part II
Take notes on the Yellow Text
Balance
Symmetrical
Asymmetrical
Radial
Visual Movement
Rhythm
Pattern

17. Principles Of Design: Balance
Balance: concerned with equalizing visual forces, or elements in a work of art. If a work of art has visual balance, the viewer feels that the elements have been arranged in a satisfying way.
Winslow Homer - "Dressing for the Carnival", 1877

18. Principles Of Design: Balance
Visual imbalance makes the viewer feel that the elements need to be rearranged.
Winslow Homer - "Dressing for the Carnival", 1877

19. Principles Of Design: Balance
Makes the art “feels heavy” on the right. It is unbalanced.
Visual imbalance makes the viewer feel that the elements need to be rearranged.
Removing the figure on the left…….
Winslow Homer - "Dressing for the Carnival", 1877

20. Principles Of Design: Balance
Visual imbalance makes the viewer feel that the elements need to be rearranged.
Winslow Homer - "Dressing for the Carnival", 1877

21. Principles Of Design: Balance
Symmetrical or Formal balance: in which two halves of an object, sculpture or artwork are identical or mirror image of each other.
Frank Lloyd Wright, “Tulip”

22. Principles Of Design: Balance
Imperfect Symmetry: a composition uses symmetrical balance by using objects that are similar but not exactly the same.
Frank Stella, “Brooklyn Bridge”

23. Principles Of Design: Balance
Asymmetrical Balance: Another name for informal balance in which unlike objects have equal visual weight or eye attraction.
Paul Gauguin, “Tahitian Women On the Beach “

24. Principles Of Design: Balance
Radial Balance: Type of balance in which forces or elements of a design come out (radiate) from a central point.
A Moroccan Zillij example of a design inspired by the eight point star

25. Principles Of Design: Movement
Visual Movement: Used to create the look and feeling of actions and to guide the viewer’s eye throughout the work of art.
George Bellows “Dempsey and Firpo” 1924

26. Principles Of Design: Rhythm
Rhythm is the visual patterns in art which allow the viewer to predict and is, therefore, visually pleasing and comforting.
Marcel Duchamp
“Nude Descending a Staircase”

27. Principles Of Design: Rhythm
Rhythms (or repeat patterns) can control the direction and speed of the viewer’s eye movement.
Sandra Beebe “Quiet Cove, Pacific Grove, CA”

28. Principles Of Design: Pattern
Pattern: refers to a two-dimensional decorative visual repetition. A pattern has no movement and may or may not have rhythm.
MP Verneuil c 1896.Nasturseum

29. Principles Of Design
Now, you’ve seen examples of how the “recipes” or the Principles of Design can help to create a strong composition.
Think about how you can use these in your own artwork.
Look around. Where else do you see examples of these?