Principles of Design
by Stefan Baumann
The goal of an artist is to create a powerful composition that attracts the viewer’s attention. The use of artistic elements of design helps the artist to communicate his message and to create a dynamic painting. I used many of the following principles of design to create my vision and impact the viewer in “Sunday Morning on the Cliffs.”
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Sunday Morning on the Cliff |
- Harmony: Harmony results when all elements come together in a unified whole, and each part of the composition works to express the idea behind the overall composition.
- Balance: Balance has two forms: Static and Dynamic. Static balance occurs when similar elements are placed on either side of a painting, and Dynamic balance may be achieved by contrasting a large dark area on one side of a canvas with several brightly colored objects on the other side.
- Repetition: Repeating elements of lines and forms in a composition can create the feeling of peace and harmony in a painting, and an example of this would be repeating cloud formations over a horizon line of trees.
- Contrast: A few examples of contrast that artists have in their arsenal when creating a painting are Light and Dark, Bright and Dull, and Smooth and Rough. Too little contrast in a painting can be boring, and too much can appear contrived and can overwhelm the message.
- Dominance: Choosing one dominant element to emphasize your message in a painting focuses the viewer’s attention. Selecting one central idea that clearly communicates your objective will create a powerful composition.
- Unity: When every part of a painting relates to all of the elements in the composition, a sense of unity prevails. A painting that “hangs together” will stand out from other paintings, which have free-form ideas that are composed haphazardly.
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