balance (principles of art )

Balance

Definition of Balance Balance is the impression of equilibrium in a

pictorial or sculptural composition. Balance is often referred to as symmetrical, asymmetrical, or radial.

Types of balance

There are three types of balance Symmetrical Asymmetrical Radial

Symmetrical Balance

•Symmetrical balance- Symmetry is the way in which one part of something duplicates another part 

Symmetrical balance

M. C. Escher - Sky and Water I, 1938, woodcut

Asymmetrical Balance

Asymmetrical balance - objects on one side of the work seem to have approximately the same amount of "weight" as the objects on the other side. 

Asymmetrical Balance

Megan Puls - Reserve 2, 2011, mixed clays and porcelain

Radial balance

Radial balance - objects are evenly positioned around a center point

Radial balance

David Roberts - Eroded Bowl, 56 x 28 cm

Emphasis

Emphasis is created by visually reinforcing something we want the viewer to pay attention to

Shapes

Shape- Is an area enclosed by a line. It could be just an outline or it could be shaded in. Types of shape are geometric, like a circle, square or triangle, organic (natural), two dimensional, three dimensional

Geometric Shapes

Organic