The Language
of Art
Elements and Principles
Objectives
A f te r the l ess on, t he l ea rne rs wil l b e ab le to:
1. D efi n e an d r ec og niz e th e pri nc ipl es of a r t .
2. M ake a n abs tra ct d esi g n, expe rim e nt ing
wit h t he p rin ci pl es of ar t.
3. Iden ti fy the pr in ci ple s of a r t.
4. Us e the e le m en ts of a r t a n d pr in ci ple s of
a r t i n a s tu dio exper ie nc e.
Words You Will Learn
Proportion
Rhythm
Shape
Space
Texture
Unity
variety
ARTISTS YOU WILL MEET
Grace Hartigan
Richard Lindner
Gabriele Minter
August Renoir
Vincent Van Gogh
The principles of
art
THE PRINCIPLES
OF ART
Understanding Ar t by : Mittler Ragans 199 2
The Principles of Art
If you want to use a language, knowing the vocabulary is not
enough. You must also know how the words go together. You
must know the rule of grammar for that language.
The same is true for art. Instead of rules of grammar, the
language of art has art principles. These principles or
guidelines, govern how artists organize the visual elements to
create a work of art.
The Principles of Art
The principles of art include balance, variety, harmony,
emphasis, proportion, movement, and rhythm.
Principles of art
1. Balance 7. Rhythm
2. Variety 8. Unity in Art
3. Harmony
4. Emphasis
5. Proportion
6. Movement
Figure 1-7 This picture combines
familiar images from our modern
rock culture.
1. What are some of the images?
2. What do you think the artist is
trying to say about this culture?
R i c h a r d L i n d n e r. R o c k- R o c k , 1 9 6 6 . O i l o n
Canvas. 177.8x152.4cm (70 Dallas
M u s e u m o f A r t , D a l l a s Te x a s . G i f t o f M r.
& Mrs. James H. Clark
1. BALANCE
If you have ever carried a stack of dishes or books, you know
the importance of balance. In art, balance is also important.
It is a principle of art concerned with arranging elements so no
one part of a work overpowers, or seems heavier than, any
other part.
In art, balance is seen or felt by the viewer.
1. Balance
In works of art, three kinds of balance are possible. They are;
A. Formal Balance (symmetrical) – the two halves are mirror
images.
B. Informal Balance (asymmetrical) – two unlike elements seem
to carry equal weight. For example, a small shape painted
bright red will balance several larger items painted in duller
reds.
1. Balance
In works of art, three kinds of balance are possible. They are;
C. Radial Balance – occurs when elements or objects in an
artwork are positioned around a central point.
Study the art works in Figures 1-7, 1-8, and 1-9.
1. Which uses formal balance?
2. Which uses radial balance?
Figure 1-8 This painting creates a
certain mood or feeling about the girl
playing the guitar.
How has Renoir combined the element
of color and the principle of balance to
create a pleasing portrait?
Auguste Renoir. Young Spanish Woman with a Guitar,
1898. Canvas. 55.6x65.2 cm
National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C. Ailsa Mellon
Bruce Collection.
Figure 1-9 Van Gogh has
blended many elements
and principles of art in
this work.
1. Notice how he has
used the elements of
color and line to create
a feeling of movement.
Vincent Van Gogh, The Starry Night. 1889.
2. How has he created
Oil on Canvas balance?
2. VARIETY
The same routine day after day can become dull.
The same color or shape repeated over and over
in an artwork can become equally dull. To avoid
dullness, artists use the principle of variety in
their works.
2. VARIETY
Is a principle of art concerned
with combining one or more
changes.
By giving a work variety, the
heightens the visual appeal of
the work.
2. VARIETY
Look again at the picture in
Figure 1-7.
1. How does the artist’s use of
color add variety to the work?
2. Which other elements are used
to add variety?
3. HARMONY
If too little variety can become boring, too much
variety can create chaos. Artists avoid chaos in
their works by using the principle of harmony.
3. HARMONY
Is a principle of art concerned with blending
elements to create a more calm, restful
appearance.
3. HARMONY
Of the two paintings in Figures 1-7 and 1-8, which
has greater harmony?
Which elements does the artist use to introduce
harmony to the work?
4. EMPHASIS
To attract a viewer’s attention to important parts
of a work, artists use the principle of emphasis.
4. EMPHASIS
Is making an element in a work stand out.
Can be created by contrast or by extreme
changes in an element.
4. EMPHASIS
Look once more at Figure 1-8. what has been
done to emphasize the face of the young
woman?
5. PROPORTION
Have you ever tasted a food that was so salty you
couldn’t eat it?
The problem was one of proportion.
5. PROPORTION
Is the principle of art concerned with the
relationship of one part to another and to the
whole.
The principle of proportion is not limited to size.
Elements such as color can be used in diff ering
proportions to create emphasis.
5. PROPORTION
It is used this way in Figure 1-7.
Which color is used in greatest proportion?
6. MOVEMENT
You may not have realized it, but when you look
at a work of art your eye moves from part to part.
Artists use the principle of movement to lead the
viewer’s eyes throughout the work.
6. MOVEMENT
Is the principle of art used to create the look
and feeling of action and to guide a viewer’s eye
throughout the work of art.
6. MOVEMENT
Study yet again the paintings in Figures 1-7, 1-8,
and 1-9.
How have the artists used line and shape to move
your eyes throughout the works?
7. RHYTHM
Often artists seek to make their works seem
active. When they do, they call upon the principle
of rhythm.
7. RHYTHM
Is the principle of art concerned with repeating
an element to make a work seem active or to
suggest vibration.
7. RHYTHM
Sometimes to create rhythm, an artist will
repeat not just elements but also the same
exact objects over and over. When this is done ,
a pattern is formed.
7. RHYTHM
Compare the works in Figures 1-7, 1-8, and 1-9.
1. Which uses the principle of rhythm?
2. What element is repeated?
8. UNITY IN ART
When you look at works of art, it may be diffi cult
to determine where one part ends and the other
begins. Instead, the piece of art works together as
a whole. It has unity.
8. UNITY IN ART
Is the arrangement of elements and principles
with media to create a feeling of completeness
or wholeness.
8. UNITY IN ART
You will sense this unity as you look at works of
art in which artists use the elements and
principles with skill, imagination, and sensitivity.
Check your understanding
1. What are principles of art?
2. Name three kinds of balance. Describe each kind.
3. What principles do artists use to prevent works from being
static?
4. How can emphasis be created in a work of art?
5. Defi ne movement.
