CHAPTER 4: The Principles of Art Design

The elements and principles of art and design 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 balance, contrast,

emphasis, movement, pattern, rhythm, and unity/variety. 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 design 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 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.

The proper arrangement of the different art elements in order to produce something
beautiful is called design. The design of things makes objects differ from one perception to
another. Good design is the result of careful and correct application of the principles of design.
The most important factor for an artist to remember is to execute these principles in order to
achieve beauty and better perception.
 Elements of arts are parts of a whole while perception of arts design are rules or guides
to help one put these elements together.

Principles of art design are:

1. Harmony
2. Rhythm
3. Balance
4. Proportion and
5. Emphasis

Harmony

 is the principle which produces an impression of unity through the selection and
arrangement of consistent objects or ideas.
 It is the quality which unifies every part of an arrangement.
 There is an order.

Five aspects of Harmony are:

1. Harmony of lines and shapes

 Lines are made harmonious by either repeating the shape of the lines or by
connecting transitional lines by contrasting lines.
 A transitional line or by connecting is usually a curved, graceful line which
connects two opposing or contrasting lines.
  The latter are straight lines which intersect each other and form angles.
 Lines made in this manner are called contrasting or opposing lines.
 Contradiction, strictly speaking, is a form of transition but because it is not
harmonious, it may be classified under the lines in contrast. Contradiction is
straight line connecting two opposing lines diagonally.
 Repetition shows harmony.
Example:

If a small rectangle is placed within a bigger rectangle so that their sides are parallel, the
resulting figure is repetition.

2. Harmony of size

 Refers to good proportion.

3. Harmony of Color
 Creating harmony of color means using two or more colors in decorating an
article or objects.
 Two standards or group of color harmonies; related harmonies and contrasting
harmonies.
4. Harmony of texture
  The character of texture can be determined by feeling the object the with the
fingertips or by looking at it. Coarse textures should not be combined with fine
textures.
5. Harmony of idea
 Combining antique and modern furniture in the same room does not show
harmony of idea.

Rhythm

 is the regular, uniform, or related visual movement through the repetition of a unit or
motif.
 It is the basis of almost all performing arts because it is the principles which is most
quickly felt.
 It is the most universal, dynamic, and pleasing art principles.
 We find rhythm in music, dance and poetry.
 A unit or motif is a dominant feature or part repeated in a design or decoration.
 Repetition of a unit creates a feeling of movement or rhythm.
 Not all movements in a design is rhythmical. Rhythm can be observed when the units are
of the same sizes and distances from one another.
 If a unit is repeated in one direction, it produces a border design and two directions, a
surface or all-over pattern.

 Rhythm is classified into formal and informal. Formal or uniform rhythm is the
repetition of motif in uniform and regular arrangement while informal or free rhythm is
the repetition of motif with variation in its form, size, and arrangement.

Example of Rhythm:
Hills in the sand Snowflakes
 Shell Vegetables

Leaves

Balance
 A condition or quality which gives a feeling of rest, repose, equilibrium, or stability
 Mathematically, objects are balanced when they have equal physical weights and are
placed equally distant from a common center or axis.
 Visual weight is the quality which gains and holds attention. In others words, it is the
power of attraction of each of the elements of art.
 In order to check whether a picture is balanced on a vertical axis or not, cover half of it
and attraction, the pictures is balanced.
 1. Formal or Symmetrical Balance

 The balance of equal visual weights placed at equal distance from the axis.
 Formal balance may be subdivided into two: bisymmetrical, absolute, or perfect and
symmetrical, apparent, or obvious balance.
Bisymmetrical Balance
 The balance of identical objects (identical in form, value, size, texture, and color) placed
on each side of the central axis and equally distant from the center.
 Is uninteresting pictorially.

Symmetrical or obvious balance

 The balance of objects with nearly identical description.
2. Informal or Asymmetrical

 The balance of unequal visual weights, the heavier one being nearer the axis and the
lighter one farther.
 It is sometimes referred to as occult balance and free balance.
 Slant or diagonal balance is a form of informal balance in which the objects are
balanced on a diagonal axis.
 Is more difficult to recognize and to use than the formal one.
 To balance objects on a horizontal axis, the objects with the heavier visual weight must
appear nearer the axis than the other.

Commission on Higher Education

CALABANGA COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Barangay Belen Site, Calabanga Camarines Sur

ART
APPRECIATION
Topic: Chapter 4 The Principles of Art Design

Reported by:

MARIA CRISTINA S. IMPORTANTE

IRENE GAIL G. ELOPRE
BsEd 1B-Sicial Science

MRS. CLEMENCIA AGAWA

Instructress