Art Design Principles: Chapter 10

Questions and Answers

What is balance in art?

The principle of design concerned with equalizing visual forces, or elements, in a work of art.

What is a central axis?

A dividing line that works like the point of balance in the balance scale.

What is formal balance?

When equal, or very similar, elements are placed on opposite sides of a central axis.

What is symmetry in art?

A special type of formal balance in which two halves of a symmetrically balanced composition are identical, mirror images of each other. Signup and view all the answers

What is radial balance?

When the forces or elements of a design come out (radiate) from a central point. Signup and view all the answers

What is informal balance?

A balance of unlike objects, also known as asymmetry. Signup and view all the answers

Why is balance important to a work of art?

Artists use this feeling to communicate with us. An unbalanced work gives us an uneasy feeling. Signup and view all the answers

What are the visual forces, or weights, in art?

Art elements. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between bilateral and approximate symmetry?

In bilateral symmetry the two halves of a composition are identical. In approximate symmetry, the two halves are almost identical. Signup and view all the answers

What factors in a work of art influence the visual weight of the art elements?

Size and contour, color, value, texture, and position. Signup and view all the answers

Which colors carry more weight, warm or cool?

Warm. Signup and view all the answers

How can value affect visual weight?

The stronger the contrast in value between an object and the background, the more visual weight the object has. Also, dark values are heavier than light values. Signup and view all the answers

What does a formally balanced building express?

Dignity, stability, calm. Signup and view all the answers

What principle of art must all artworks have?

Balance. Signup and view all the answers

What does a visual imbalance create?

A sense of uneasiness. Signup and view all the answers

What is the easiest type of balance to recognize and create?

Formal balance. Signup and view all the answers

What is another term for symmetry?

Bilateral symmetry. Signup and view all the answers

What type of symmetry is almost symmetrical?

Approximate symmetry. Signup and view all the answers

Where does radial balance frequently occur?

In nature. Signup and view all the answers

What is another term for informal balance?

Asymmetry. Signup and view all the answers

What areas in a painting are a viewer's eyes drawn to?

Bright color. Signup and view all the answers

What does an uneven pattern of highlights and dark, irregular shadows create?

Rough texture. Signup and view all the answers

What kind of balance does a flower illustrate?

Radial. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between the two kinds of balance?

The difference is how the elements are arranged around the axis. Signup and view all the answers

Why is radial balance a complicated variation of symmetry?

Symmetry involves two matching units while radial balance involves four or more matching units. Signup and view all the answers

Why is a small area of bright color able to balance a larger area of a dull, more neutral color?

This happens because a high intensity color has more visual weight than a low intensity color. Signup and view all the answers

What happens as the contrast in value between an object and the background increases?

The stronger the contrast in value, the more visual weight the object has. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Balance in Art

Balance is a design principle that equalizes visual forces or elements in artwork.
Important for creating a sense of harmony; unbalanced work can evoke unease in viewers.

Central Axis

Central axis acts as the dividing line for balance, similar to a balance scale's point.

Types of Balance

Formal Balance: Achieved by placing equal or similar elements on either side of the central axis.
Symmetry: A subset of formal balance where both halves of the composition are mirror images.
Radial Balance: Elements radiate outwards from a central point, often seen in natural forms.
Informal Balance: Also known as asymmetry, involves balancing unlike objects to create visual interest.

Visual Forces in Art

Art elements such as size, contour, color, value, texture, and position contribute to visual weight.
Warm colors hold more visual weight than cool colors, affecting the viewer's focus.

Visual Weight and Contrast

A strong contrast in value increases an object's visual weight; dark values appear heavier than light ones.
Bright colors and rough textures attract the viewer's eye due to their striking characteristics.

Symmetry Variations

Bilateral Symmetry: Both halves of a composition are identical.
Approximate Symmetry: Nearly identical halves, but with slight variations.

Impact of Balance

Formally balanced works convey dignity, stability, and calmness.
Visual imbalance can create feelings of uneasiness in the observer.

Radial Balance in Nature

Radial balance frequently occurs in natural forms, illustrating complexity through multiple matching units.

Differences in Balance

The arrangement of elements around an axis differentiates types of balance.
Radial balance is more complicated than symmetry as it involves four or more matching units.

Intensity and Color Weight

High-intensity colors possess more visual weight than low-intensity colors, allowing smaller bright areas to balance larger dull sections.
Uneven patterns in rough textures create dynamic visual effects through highlights and shadows.

Key Takeaways

Understanding and applying balance is essential in artistic composition, influencing both aesthetic quality and emotional resonance.

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Description

Test your knowledge on key terms related to balance in art design with these flashcards from Chapter 10 of ArtTalk. Understand concepts like symmetry, central axis, and formal balance as you prepare for your art studies. Dive deep into the principles that help create visually compelling artworks.