Visual Structure of Works of Arts
Perception of an art is governed by different principles of art design that guide the artist in making the art
become more beautiful and interesting to the observers.
Through the combination of lines, colors and forms, an artist can give the observer new, varied and
satisfying experience.
Design is the overall organizational visual structure of the formal elements in a work of art.
Harmony is the quality which produces an impression of unity through the solution and arrangement of
consistent objects or ideas. Every orderly arrangement is harmony.
1. Harmony of lines and shapes. Lines are made harmonious by either repeating the shape of the lines
or by connecting transitional lines to contrasting lines. A transitional line or merely transition 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 .
2. Harmony of size.
3. Harmony of color. A color combination or harmony means the use of two or more colors in
decorating an article or object. It does not mean the mixing og the colors. A girl, for instance, may use
three colors in her dress, that is, the blouse may be pink, the skirt is dark red and buttons on the
blouse are red.
4. Harmony of texture. The character of texture can be determined by feeling the object with the
fingertips or by looking at it.
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 movement made through the repetition of a unit or motif. It is a
visual movement in a design or arrangement. It is the basis of mostly all primitive arts because it is the
principle which is most quickly felt. It is the most universal, dynamic and pleasing art principle.
Balance is 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.
Kinds of Balance
1. Formal or symmetrical balance. This is the balance of equal visual weights placed at equal
distances from the axis. Formal balance may be subdivided into two: bisymmetrical, absolute or
perfect balance and symmetrical, apparent or obvious balance. Bisymmetrical balance is the
balance of identical objects Identical in form, value, size, texture, color) placed on each side of
central axis and equally distant from the center. Symmetrical or obvious balance is the balance of
objects with nearly identical description.
2. Informal or asymmetrical balance. It is the balance of unequal visual weights, the heavier one
being nearer the axis and the lighter one farther. Its synonyms are occult and free balance. Slant
or diagonal balance is a form of informal balance in which the objects are balanced on a diagonal
axis. Informal symmetry is more difficult to recognize and to use than the formal one.
Proportion is the art principle which shows pleasing relationship between a whole and its parts between the
parts themselves. It is the arrangement of space divisions in pleasing relationships.
There are three aspects of proportion: proportion in the grouping of objects; proportion in space
divisions and scaled. Proportion is established when two or more objects are placed near or adjacent to each
other. An arrangement or grouping of objects may show good or bad proportion.
Emphasis is the principle of art which tends to carry the eyes from the center of interest or dominant part of
any composition to the less important or subordinate parts. The most essential factor in emphasis is
simplicity. This is the guiding principle of the Greek and Japanese arts. There is no emphasis without
subordination, and no subordination without emphasis or dominance.
Models of Emphasizing Objects
1. By arrangement or grouping of objects. If objects are grouped together, the one to be emphasized
should be located at the center and should be the biggest in color.
2. By decoration. Objects which have decorations are better or more emphasized than those without
them.
3. By color contrast. Contrasting colors such as the complementary combinations and the trials are
more emphatic than analogous or any other related harmonies. Hues of great intensities are more
conspicuous than those having lower intensities. The use of contrasting values makes one value more
dominant than the other.
4. By the use of unusual lines, shapes, sizes of color. Novelty or newness, a minor art principle, applies
to this method. Very extraordinary figures or subjects tend to carry the eyes first to them. A man
having unusual height will attract more attention than any individual in a crowd.
5. By the use of plain background space. Simple decorations which are placed against sufficient plain
background will be more emphatic than when the background space is small.
6. By action or movement. Dynamic illustrations usually attract more attention than passive ones.
Other Art Principles
The other art principles which are of equal importance are:
1. Novelty or newness. A new style of dress or dance appears more attractive and interesting than
ordinary dress design or dance. Novelty provides the best opportunity for developing ones creative
ability.
2. Variety or variation. A set of furniture which is arranged in certain way and remains as it is for long
periods of time appears to be monotonous in the long run. Variation in the arrangement or style of
furniture makes the furniture more interesting and attractive.
3. Utility, adaptability or function. A work of art must not only possess beauty but also utility. The
object must be adaptable to the purpose for which it is made. This is especially true to all practical
arts. In designing modern structures, function is now the first consideration.
4. Contrast. This is synonymous to opposition or contradiction. This principle has some relationships
with balance and emphasis. Two contrasting lines or colors may balance each other. The center of
interest in a composition is in contrast with the subordinating parts in the same compositions. Nature
provides many examples of contrasting objects,. Colors of flowers contrast the color of the leaves.
Man is in contrast with his opposite sex.
Prepared By: Alvie PBT
