Composition of Art

• Composition means the piece as a whole • Lots of different things go into a composition…• Line• Shape• Form• Space• Color• Texture

Elements of Art• The foundational parts to any work of art.

Where are the lines in this Piece?

Where are the shapes in this piece?

Where are the forms in this piece?

Describe the Space in this Painting.

What colors is this piece mainly made of?

What texture does this painting appear to be?

Break into Groups!•Pick a group of 4•Once you have your group, Ms. Schroeder will give you a paper with a famous piece of art.•Take 5-10 Minutes and analyze the piece and find the lines, shapes, forms, colors, and textures in the piece.

Elements are the FoundationBut the Principles are what make art more interesting and unique!

The Basic Principles of Art

• Pattern• Contrast• Emphasis• Balance• Scale• Harmony• Rhythm/Movement• Unity• Variety

Pattern/ Repetition • A regular arrangement of alternated or repeated elements

(lines, shapes, colors) or motifs.

Contrast• The juxtaposition of different elements of design (for example:

rough and smooth textures, dark and light values) in order to highlight their difference and/or create visual interest, or focal point

Emphasis• Special attention/ importance given to one part of a work of

art (for ex. A dark shape in a light composition). Emphasis can be achieved through placement, contrast, color, size, repetition.

• It relates to thefocal point.

Balance• A feeling of balance results when the elements of design are

arranged symmetrically or asymmetrically to create the impression of equality in WEIGHT or importance.

Symmetrical Balance

Asymmetrical Balance

Scale• The relationship between objects with respect to size, number,

and so on, including the relation between parts as a whole.

Harmony• The arrangement of elements to give the viewer the feeling

that all the parts of the piece form a coherent whole.

Rhythm/Movement• The use of recurring elements to direct the eye through the

image; the way the elements are organized to lead the eye to the focal area.

• For examples, the eye can be directed along edges and by means of shape and color.

Unity• All parts of an image work together to be seen as a whole

Variety• Using different elements in an image to create visual interest.

Example of little variety

Break off into Groups again!

• Talk about the principles of art in the piece you chose and how that affects the piece.• Keeping the principles in mind, think about

emotion and what you think the meaning of the piece is.

Self-Critique Time…• Due FRIDAY!