|
Unity
(also known as
harmony)
is probably the most
important concept when looking at art. It means that the
elements of the . artwork look as though they belong together.
If the various elements of your work are not harmonious they
will appear separate and unrelated and your work will lack
unity.
Ways to achieve harmony: You
need "agreement" between the elements of your work. Easy ways to
effect this is with the use of
repetition, variation, proximity
and
probably most importantly -continuation.
There are few of us who do not
like others to look at our work. To attract attention we can
catch the viewer's eye by the use of a
focal point.
This can use elements of
your composition to direct the eye to one point, for example
placement, contrast of colour, lines, size, shape, isolation,
even arrows. Sometimes an
artwork can contain secondary points of emphasis that have
lesser value. Too many, though, will lead to visual confusion.
A focal point is not always
necessary, look at many of Jackson Pollock's works.
An allover
pattern can create an
atmosphere of ambiguity and puzzlement or create a mood.
To me one of the most important
elements of composition is
balance.
In assessing balance we always
assume a
central
vertical axis.
This acts as the fulcrum on a
seesaw, the two sides should achieve a sense of equilibrium.
When equilibrium is not present, a feeling of unease or
dissatisfaction results. At times this can be a useful tool to
create tension.
Symmetrical
balance is the easiest to
create but usually produces a static effect.
Asymmetrical
balance is much more
common. It can be achieved by
balancing
with size, shape, texture, colour, importance, directing of the
eye, and pattern.
Crystallographic balance
is an
allover pattern.
A
sense of
rhythm
in an artwork reflects a sense
of movement. A
repetition of
shapes such as tree
trunks or sand dunes can create a feeling of potential movement.
Rhythm is a basic characteristic of nature and very much a part
of our environment. Art and architecture often use alternating
pattern and sequence.
Scale
is essentially another word for
size but we still need to reference it to some other object. For
example a big dog means little if we do not know the size of an
average dog. Proportion refers to relative size- size measured
against other elements or against our mental standard of norm.
We can use scale and proportion
for emphasis. Christ is often depicted as bigger than those
around him. This is termed hieratic scaling. A contrast of scale
can lead to surrealism as in Magritte's bedroom scenes where the
comb is the height of the wall. Large and small scale can be
combined for dramatic effect as in Degas dancers where a woman
who is close watches dancers on stage.
The Golden
mean; width is to length
as length is to length plus width, is Still used. This
proportion is pleasing to our eye but also found in many growth
patterns in nature.
It is not necessary to study the
elements of composition to create satisfying artwork. Most of us
understand them intuitively. But knowing a little about them
can, I think, help us to share and discuss work with more ease.
|