1. Balance

2. What is Balance?

3. Balance is the achievement of equilibrium among various parts of a composition.

5. In assessing balance, we always assume a center vertical axis. This is directly related to the sense of balance we have developed within our own bodies.

6. Balance is the achievement of equilibrium among various parts of a composition. Therefore, we have a tendency to become disturbed or uneasy when there is a lack of balance and no clear sense of equilibrium.

7. Does a composition have to achieve balance?

8. While it is often the goal of an artist to create a balanced composition, some artists may purposefully choose to create an imbalanced composition.

9. This is a strategy an artist can utilize to enhance visual unease. Philip Guston, Head, 1975

10. What are the types of balance an artist can use?

11. There are two general categories of balance: Symmetrical balance (axial balance)- is the near or exact matching of left and right sides of a 3-dimensional form or 2- dimensional composition. Another variation of symmetrical balance is crystallographic balance or allover pattern. This is achieved through the equal emphasis over the entire composition (absence of focal point). Asymmetrical balance- there is a felt or implied center of gravity, the two sides do not match. There is also radial balance, in which opposing forces rotate around or radiate from a central point. It can be either symmetrical or asymmetrical, depending on where the center point is.

12. Symmetrical balance- it is the simplest type of balance to create and recognize. When referring to architecture, symmetrical balance is sometimes called formal balance. It is a strategy often employed to convey the idea of permanence, strength and stability. Symmetrical balance appeals to us because of the awareness of our bodies and our own symmetry.

13. Taj Mahal

14. Symmetrical balance- it is the simplest type of balance to create and recognize. When referring to architecture, symmetrical balance is sometimes called formal balance. It is a strategy often employed to convey the idea of permanence, strength and stability. Symmetrical balance appeals to us because of the awareness of our bodies and our own symmetry. Taj Mahal

15. Symmetrical balance- it is the simplest type of balance to create and recognize. When referring to architecture, symmetrical balance is sometimes called formal balance. It is a strategy often employed to convey the idea of permanence, strength and stability. Symmetrical balance appeals to us because of the awareness of our bodies and our own symmetry.

16. Modest Mouse CD Cover Near or exact matching of left and right sides.

17. Allover Pattern- is another variety of symmetrical balance and is technically called crystallographic balance. This is the equal distribution of emphasis, the same weight is everywhere.

18. Ross Bleckner, Throbbing Hearts, 1994

19. Radial Balance- visual elements are balanced around and radiate from a central point.

20. Andy Goldsworthy Radial Balance- visual elements are balanced around and radiate from a central point.

21. Andy Goldsworthy Radial Balance- visual elements are balanced around and radiate from a central point.

24. Asymmetrical Balance- is more casual than symmetrical balance and is sometimes called informal balance. Though asymmetry appears to be less planned, it is in fact more complicated and intricate than symmetry.

25. Carrie Mae Weems, Untitled from the Hampton Project, 2000

26. Asymmetrical Balance- is more casual than symmetrical balance and is sometimes called informal balance. Though asymmetry appears to be less planned, it is in fact more complicated and intricate than symmetry. Carrie Mae Weems, Untitled from the Hampton Project, 2000 In Western culture, we tend to enter the picture plane from the top left, just as we would approach reading a book.

27. Asymmetrical Balance- is more casual than symmetrical balance and is sometimes called informal balance. Though asymmetry appears to be less planned, it is in fact more complicated and intricate than symmetry. Carrie Mae Weems, Untitled from the Hampton Project, 2000

28. Asymmetrical Balance- is more casual than symmetrical balance and is sometimes called informal balance. Though asymmetry appears to be less planned, it is in fact more complicated and intricate than symmetry. Carrie Mae Weems, Untitled from the Hampton Project, 2000 Weems has created a composition which directs our eye in a clockwise, cyclical motion

29. Asymmetrical Balance- is more casual than symmetrical balance and is sometimes called informal balance. Though asymmetry appears to be less planned, it is in fact more complicated and intricate than symmetry. Carrie Mae Weems, Untitled from the Hampton Project, 2000 Weems has created a composition which directs our eye in a clockwise, cyclical motion She has also used the grid to achieve a sense of cohesiveness in her design.

30. Asymmetrical Balance- is more casual than symmetrical balance and is sometimes called informal balance. Though asymmetry appears to be less planned, it is in fact more complicated and intricate than symmetry. Ham Steinbach, supremely black, 1985) Steinbach presents the viewer with a balanced arrangement of two versus three elements. These parings invite the viewer to find the visual rhymes and contrasts that exist across the dividing line. The visual interest in comparing the unequal sides results in a balanced asymmetrical composition.

31. Asymmetrical Balance- is more casual than symmetrical balance and is sometimes called informal balance. Though asymmetry appears to be less planned, it is in fact more complicated and intricate than symmetry. Steinbach presents the viewer with a balanced arrangement of two versus three elements. These parings invite the viewer to find the visual rhymes and contrasts that exist across the dividing line. The visual interest in comparing the unequal sides results in a balanced asymmetrical composition. Ham Steinbach, supremely black, 1985

32. Asymmetrical Balance- is more casual than symmetrical balance and is sometimes called informal balance. Though asymmetry appears to be less planned, it is in fact more complicated and intricate than symmetry. Steinbach presents the viewer with a balanced arrangement of two versus three elements. These parings invite the viewer to find the visual rhymes and contrasts that exist across the dividing line. The visual interest in comparing the unequal sides results in a balanced asymmetrical composition. Ham Steinbach, supremely black, 1985

33. Asymmetrical Balance- is more casual than symmetrical balance and is sometimes called informal balance. Though asymmetry appears to be less planned, it is in fact more complicated and intricate than symmetry. Steinbach presents the viewer with a balanced arrangement of two versus three elements. These parings invite the viewer to find the visual rhymes and contrasts that exist across the dividing line. The visual interest in comparing the unequal sides results in a balanced asymmetrical composition. Ham Steinbach, supremely black, 1985

34. There are several different strategies one can use to successfully create an asymmetrical composition.

35. Balance by Value and Color

36. There are several different strategies one can use to successfully create an asymmetrical composition. Balance by Value and Color Balance by Texture and Pattern

37. There are several different strategies one can use to successfully create an asymmetrical composition. Balance by Value and Color Balance by Texture and Pattern Balance by Position and Eye Direction

38. Balance by Value and Color Value is the contrast of light and dark. Since there is greater contrast between the black square and white background than there is with the gray square and white background, we can see that a small dark form can balance a large light form.

39. Balance by Value and Color The same considerations apply with color. Since our eyes are drawn to color, a small area of bright color can balance a larger area of neutral color.

40. Balance by Texture and Pattern Here we see two elements with the same texture and value. The only difference is their shape. The smaller form attracts the eye because it has more interesting and complicated contours. Therefore, a complex form is heavier than a simple form, so a small complex form can balance a large simple form.

41. Balance by Texture and Pattern Visual texture and pattern also add interest and attract our eye. We can see that the smaller dotted square balances the larger untextured or patterned rectangle.

42. Balance by Position and Eye Direction A form gathers visual weight as it nears the edge of a picture plane, so we can see that by shifting the large circle from the edge toward the center, the visual weight is balanced by the smaller circle near the edge. Therefore, one small form near the edge can balance a large form near the center.

43. What type of balance? Does it fall into any other category? Jackson Pollock, Lavender Mist, 1950

44. Katsushika Hokusai, Watereheel at Onden What type of balance? How does that affect the composition? content?

45. Andy Goldsworthy What type of balance?

46. James Rosenquist What type of balance? Describe how visual weight is distributed.