VISUAL LITERACY WORKBOOK_PRINCIPLES_2024.docx

VISUAL LITERACY : PRINCIPLES **WHY do we need to know this?** The art, craft and design world are using the art elements and principles to create a composition, design or product. So, in order for us to understand the ARTS, we need to learn the language of it. **CONTENT OF THIS BOOKLET** **COMPO...

VISUAL LITERACY : PRINCIPLES **WHY do we need to know this?** The art, craft and design world are using the art elements and principles to create a composition, design or product. So, in order for us to understand the ARTS, we need to learn the language of it. **CONTENT OF THIS BOOKLET** **COMPOSITION, BALANCE, CONTRAST, EMPHASIS, RHYTHM, MOVEMENT, VARIETY, UNITY, PROPORTION** Composition The principles of composition/design refer to the way in which one organises the elements of art in a work of art to achieve a specific result and effect. Composition is the combination of the elements of art to form a pleasant whole. The arrangement of colors, shapes, etc. should form a visually pleasing or stimulating unit. The artist is the person who put these things together, which is called composition. The final result of the drawing, painting or sculpture is called a composition. A composition is generally divided into three layers. The foreground of a composition is the visual plane that appears closest to the viewer, while the background is the level in a composition that is perceived furthest from the viewer. The middle ground is the part between the foreground and the background. What do you see as the focal point in this work? Indicate the foreground, middle ground, and background in this painting.  BALANCE **Balance** refers to the **visual weight of the elements** of the composition. It is a sense that the painting/Design feels stable and \"feels right.\" Imbalance causes a feeling of discomfort in the viewer. Is the balance symmetrical, asymmetrical, axial or radial? Is the composition top or bottom heavy? Is the composition side heavy? Which primary elements give the composition a sense of balance? Balance can be achieved in **THREE** different ways: **Symmetry**: in which both sides of a composition have the same elements in the same position, as in a mirror-image.  **Asymmetry**: in which the composition is balanced due to the contrast of any of the elements of art. For example, a large cypress tree on the bottom left-hand side of a composition might be balanced by a small bright yellow moon on the top right hand side. **Radial symmetry**: in which elements are equally spaced around a central point, as in the spokes coming out of the hub of a bicycle tire. Contrast The use of contrast can create impact in your Design and may prevent the Design form looking boring. Contrast is the difference between elements of art in a composition, such that each element is made stronger in relation to the other. When placed next to each other, contrasting elements command the viewer\'s attention. Areas of contrast are among the first places that a viewer\'s eye is drawn. Which elements carry the greatest contrasts? Light/dark, rough/smooth, large/small, etc, etc.  Contrast can be achieved by **juxtapositions** (two things are placed side by side for comparison) of any of the elements of art. EG: the use of contrasting textures of a cactus on a smooth silky balloon. **Texture (smooth/rough): Size (large/ small)** **Light/ Dark** Emphasis / dominance **Emphasis/dominance** is used in art to attract the viewer\'s attention to a particular area or object. This is typically the **focal point** or main subject of the artwork. **Focal point:** How does the artist direct our eye to the main focal point/s? Are there any directional lines leading our eye there? Is there an area of particularly strong contrast, which attracts our attention? Which formal elements help to create dominance? Is it a colour, line type, texture etc. Rhythm & Repetition **Rhythm and Repetition**: Visual rhythm is created by repetition of any formal element. It can suggest movement and is often seen in patterns. Movement Movement is the result of using the elements of art such that they move the viewer\'s eye around and within the image. A sense of movement can be created by diagonal or curvy lines, either real or implied, by edges, by the illusion of space, by repetition, by energetic mark- making. Variety  **Variety**: What elements (primary forms) stand out as the ones that are most varied? Often there are a very wide variety of colours; and also types of line, textures, shapes etc... Similarity **Similarity**: It is usually visual similarity that creates unity and variety that creates dynamic interest. The balance between variety and similarity makes for good or bad (appropriate or inappropriate) design. Similarity of colours, textures, shapes etc... Unity / harmony  **Unity/harmony**: What elements (primary forms) stand out as the ones that hold the composition together as a unified whole? Usually, it is the type of light, or a predominant colour. It may be a repeated shape or line type. Proportion /scale **Proportion/scale:** Closely related to scale. Artists sometimes distort proportions of objects in relation to each other to convey meaning or create great impact or drama.