CBSE Class 11 Painting And Sculpture Fundamentals of Visual Arts Worksheet Set 02

Fundamentals of Visual Arts (Elements & Principles)

The Principles of Visual Art

The elements and principles of arts are the foundation of the language we use to talk about art. The elements of art are the visual tools that the artist uses to create a composition. These are line, shape, color, value, form, texture, and space.

The principles of art represent how the artist uses the elements of art to create an effect and to help convey the artist's intent. The principles of art and design are:

1. Balance
2. Unity
3. Harmony
4. Contrast
5. Rhythm
6. Emphasis
7. Movement
8. Proportion

The use of these principles can help determine whether a painting is successful and whether or not the painting is finished.

The artist decides what principles of art he or she wants to use in a painting. While an artist might not use all the principles of art in one piece, the principles are intertwined and the use of one will often depend on another. For example, when creating emphasis, the artist might also be using contrast or vice versa. It is generally agreed that a successful painting is unified, while also having some unity/variety created by areas of contrast and emphasis; is visually balanced; and moves the viewer's eye around the composition Thus it is that one principle of art can influence the effect and impact of another.

Balance

Balance is the distribution of the visually interesting elements in an artwork. If all the visually interesting elements in an artwork are centered in one spot, the work is offbalance and the viewer’s gaze will be stuck in one place, ignoring the rest of the work.

Balance is an arrangement of lines, shapes, forms, shades, colours and texture in a way that the attention is drawn throughout the artwork. Some simple types of balance are symmetric and asymmetric.

Example art works for Balance

Some simple types of balance are symmetric and asymmetric.

Symmetric or formal Balance.

Symmetric balance is created by the equal division of shapes or components in a design or composition. This implies arranging shapes, colours and shades of equal size and weight on both the sides of the central line or point at equal distance.

Symmetric balance is also called formal balance, as it tends to lead to stable and orderly designs which are less dynamic.

Asymmetric Balance

Asymmetric balance is a type of balance created by unlike things. One large common shape might be balanced by a small irregular one; a dominant element of dull colour can be balanced by a patch of something bright; a small area with lots of texture or detail might balance a larger smoother or less varied area etc.

Designs with Asymmetric balance                      Painting with Asymmetric balance

Unity

Unity is the quality of totality or oneness which is achieved by using harmonious elements which relate to each other and create a feeling of completeness. Unity is the unification of the different objects in a design. They are unified with a common bond or under a common purpose. Though each element has an independent identity but they are still united with the rest of the objects and give the feeling of completeness or oneness to the artwork.

Understanding that all the pieces of the work need to function in the same direction, many artists decide to restrict their colour choices, to rely on the use of the same, or use of overall texture and pattern in order to achieve harmony. The use of similar objects, common motif or background, focus on the same brushstroke, and inquiry into the concept of balance or symmetry are all understood as compositional tools.

Artists do not employ these tools within one strict method but rather in the chase for harmony we recognize certain trademarks of each individual style. To achieve unity in art, some prefer to use only primary colours, repeat geometric shapes on a neutral background, or use a variety of texture created with various lines.

This painting demonstrates a strong sense of unity through the use of similar hues used throughout the painting. Even though there is a strong contrast between the light and dark areas, there is a sense of unity created through the use of similar hues (dark yellows, oranges and greens are used in the foreground and light yellows, oranges and greens are used in the background).

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