8 principles of art variety gradation movement balance rhythm proportion emphasis unity

8Principles of ArtVarietyGradationMovementBalance

RhythmProportionEmphasisUnity

Emphasis in a composition refers to developing points of interest to pull the viewer's eye to important parts of the body of the work.

Words to describe: focal point, size, proportion, dominance, direction…

Emphasis, then, is the principal of art that makes one part of a work dominant over the other parts.

Mediterranean Landscape Pablo Picasso

Emphasis

The Son of Man 1964 Rene Magritte

Emphasis

Improvisation No 31, Sea Battle Wassily Kandinsky

Emphasis

Balance is a sense of stability in the body of work. Balance can be created by repeating same shapes and by creating a feeling of equal weight.

Words to describe: symmetry, asymmetry, radial symmetry, approximate symmetry

Mediterranean Landscape Pablo Picasso

Balance

The Son of Man 1964 Rene Magritte

Balance

Improvisation No 31, Sea Battle Wassily Kandinsky

Balance

Harmony is achieved in a body of work by using similar elements throughout the work, harmony gives an uncomplicated look to your work.

Words to describe: relevance, relationship, unity, cohesion…

Mediterranean Landscape Pablo Picasso

Harmony

The Son of Man 1964 Rene Magritte

Harmony

Improvisation No 31, Sea Battle Wassily Kandinsky

Harmony

Variety refers to the differences in the work, You can achieve variety by using difference shapes, textures, colors and values in your work.

Words to describe: contrast, difference, line, color, form, shape, movement…

Mediterranean Landscape Pablo Picasso

Form

The Son of Man 1964 Rene Magritte

Shape

Improvisation No 31, Sea Battle Wassily Kandinsky

Space

Movement adds excitement to your work by showing action and directing the viewers eye throughout the picture plane.

Words to describe: direction, speed, line, shape, color, emphasis, contrast…

Compositional movement is neither action nor a record of action. It is experienced by comparing the positions of stationary objects or spaces within a design. Although a picket fence cannot move, it definitely conveys movement as it leads your eye from one end of the fence or the other. Compositional movement may be generated by contrast, emphasis, direction lines, shapes and colors, and other devices – and it can occur in both three-dimensional and two-dimensional art.

Mediterranean Landscape Pablo Picasso

Movement

The Son of Man 1964 Rene Magritte

Movement

Improvisation No 31, Sea Battle Wassily Kandinsky

Movement

Rhythm is a type of movement in drawing and painting. It is seen in repeating of shapes and colors. Alternating lights and darks also give a sense of rhythm.

Words to describe: pattern, repetition, unexpected, flow, progressive, alternating, fast, slow, choppy, smooth…

Visual rhythm, similar to rhythm in music and dance, is closely related to movement.It may be produced by repeating one or several units of a design, such as a triangular shape or the color green. These motifs are depicted in a certain order or pattern, which creates a rhythm.

Mediterranean Landscape Pablo Picasso

Rhythm

The Son of Man 1964 Rene Magritte

Rhythm

Improvisation No 31, Sea Battle Wassily Kandinsky

Rhythm

Proportion or scale refers to the relationships of the size of objects in a body of work. Proportions gives a sense of size seen as a relationship of objects. such as smallness or largeness.

Words to describe: ratio, size, scale, vanishing point…

Mediterranean Landscape Pablo Picasso

Proportion

The Son of Man 1964 Rene Magritte

Proportion

Improvisation No 31, Sea Battle Wassily Kandinsky

Proportion

Gradation consists of the gradual transition from one form or element to another with slight changes in value.

Words to describe: transition, smooth, abrupt, fast, value, light, dark…

Mediterranean Landscape Pablo Picasso

Gradation

The Son of Man 1964 Rene Magritte

Gradation

Improvisation No 31, Sea Battle Wassily Kandinsky

Gradation