PRINCIPLES OF

ART
PRESENTED BY RONIE M. PROTACIO

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 PRINCIPLES OF ART AND
DESIGN
The elements of art and
principles of design are the
fundamental parts of an
artwork. Identifying these
elements is one way to
understand an artwork.

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 PRINCIPLES OF ART / DESIGN
1. COMPOSITION
2. EMPHASIS
3. RHYTHM
4. BALANCE
5. CONTRAST
6. MOVEMENT
7. PROPORTION
8. UNITY
9. VARIETY
10. PATTERN
11. REPETITION

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Module 1 C Principles of Art Page 4 of 26
Module 1 C Principles of Art Page 5 of 26
 COMPOSITION
Composition refers to the placement or
arrangement of the elements of art in a work
of art. A formal analysis of a work of art
involves looking at the artist’s use of the
elements and principles of art and how they
work together to create meaning.

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 LOOK AT COMPOSITION
See how the elements work together to
create a bold composition. Analyze the
artwork by studying each element to
determine how the artist did or did not
use that element: Color, Shape, Value,
Form, Line, Space, Texture
How do each of these elements
contribute to the meaning or the emotion
in the artwork?

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 EMPHASIS
Emphasis refers to the area of an
artwork that dominates attention or
draws interest. It is often the place a
viewer looks first. Artists can create
emphasis by contrasting the elements
of art, such as:

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 LOOK AT EMPHASIS
What part of the composition is being
emphasized?
What choices did the artist make to
create emphasis?
How does the emphasis create mood,
or emotion, in the artwork?

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 RHYTHM
Rhythm is a principle of art that
refers to the movement or action
of a composition, usually
achieved through repetition of
lines, shapes, colors, and more. It
creates a visual tempo in
artworks and provides a path for
the viewer’s eye to follow.

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 LOOK AT RHYTHM
What elements and principles did this
artist use to create rhythm?
If this painting were a song, what would
it sound like?
How do the lines, color, and rhythm
create the song?
How does rhythm create mood, or
emotion, in the artwork?

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 BALANCE
Balance refers to the
distribution of visual weight in a
composition. Each part of the
composition works with other
parts of the composition to
appear equal and harmonious
in balance.

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 LOOK AT BALANCE
What type of balance did this artist use
(symmetrical, asymmetrical, or radial)?
How would this artwork look different if
the the black curtain were a different
size or color?
Why did the artist title the artwork
“Arrangement in Grey and Black”?

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 CONTRAST
Contrast refers to the arrangement of
opposite elements and effects. For
example: light and dark colors, smooth
and rough textures, large and small
shapes. Contrast can be used to create
variety, visual interest, and drama in an
artwork.

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 LOOK AT CONTRAST
How did this artist show contrast in line
and color?
How did this artist create contrast
through the meaning or story of the
artwork?
How does the contrast create mood, or
emotion, in the artwork?

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 MOVEMENT
Movement can be thought of in two ways –
the first refers to how an artist depicts
movement using the elements and principles
of art. The second way refers to the visual
flow of an artwork, indicated by the path a
viewer’s eyes take as they look at the
artwork. Lines, edges, shapes, and colors
can be utilized by the artist to point the way
through an artwork as a map for our eyes to
follow:

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 LOOK AT MOVEMENT
How did this artist show movement?
Name two or more elements of art the
artist utilized to create movement.
How does movement create mood, or
emotion, in the artwork?

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 PROPORTION
Proportion is the size relationship
between the various parts of an
artwork. Artists can use scale and
proportion to create sensations
such as depth, realism,
disorientation, and drama.

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 LOOK AT PROPORTION
How did this artist manipulate (change)
proportion?
Why do you think the artist chose to not
show realistic proportion?
How does proportion create meaning in
the artwork?

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 UNITY
Unity, also known as harmony, refers to the
cohesiveness of an artwork—how whole,
consistent, and complete it appears. Unity
is the pleasing combination of elements to
create a harmonious composition.
Unity is achieved through: • repetition •
simplicity • harmony • contrast • theme and
variation • proximity • continuity

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 LOOK AT UNITY
Which elements of art did this artist use
to create unity?
How does unity create mood, or emotion,
in the artwork?
How would this artwork be different if
the artist did not use unity?

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 VARIETY
Variety refers to the elements of a
composition that differ from one
another. Variety creates visual interest
and energy.

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 LOOK AT VARIETY
How did this artist show variety using
color, shape, and line?
How did the artist create unity within the
composition?
How does the variety create mood, or
emotion, in the artwork?

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 PRINCIPLES OF ART / DESIGN
1. COMPOSITION
2. EMPHASIS
3. RHYTHM
4. BALANCE
5. CONTRAST
6. MOVEMENT
7. PROPORTION
8. UNITY
9. VARIETY
10. PATTERN
11. REPETITION

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 Design is the silent
ambassador of your brand.
PAUL RAND

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 MABUHAY!

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