Name: Ma. Bianca Nicole A.

Dela Cruz Subject: Art Appreciation

Course: BSED-ENGLISH 1B Teacher’s Name: Kristine
Llobet

PRINCIPLES OF ART

INTRODUCTION:
Principles of art are the guidelines, or visual tools, that artists use to organize
elements within their artworks. Principles of art help shape how individual components
come together to convey meaning, evoke emotions, and guide the viewer’s experience.
Just as grammar rules help structure sentences in language, the principles of art give
structure to visual compositions and ensure that the artwork feels cohesive, intentional,
and impactful.
In this report, I will be introducing the ten most common principles of art: balance,
contrast, emphasis, movement, pattern, rhythm, unity, variety, proportion, and harmony.
We will determine what each principle means, how it can be used, and how it affects the
viewer’s perception. Examples of artworks that illustrate the use of each principle will
also be provided.

DISCUSSION:
PRINCIPLES OF ART
The appreciation and engagement of art relies substantially on being equipped with
the appropriate language that allows it to be more comprehensible. If the elements
of art were like the letters (ie., combining these letters will form words, phrases, and
sentences), then the principles of art would perhaps be the closest to the rules of
grammar and composition.

Learning these principles will lessen the intimidation and might even open vast
possibilities for the novice looker to have a more pleasurable experience of art.
These principles will provide explicit ways in which these elements are used, how
they are manipulated, how they interact, and how they inform the overall
composition of the artwork to assist the artist in conveying his intention.

It is the principles of art that influence the effect achieved by the elements, and the
linkages of other principles. These principles are: balance, scale and proportion,
emphasis and contrast, unity and variety, harmony, movement, rhythm, and
repetition and pattern.

1. Balance

 This principle refers to the distribution of the visual elements in view of their
placement in relation to each other.

(Balance in design is about achieving visual equilibrium. It involves arranging elements

within a composition so that they feel equally distributed, stable, and harmonious.)

Example:
 Imagine you're designing a poster for a music festival. You want to ensure
that the elements like text, images, and graphics are distributed evenly
throughout the poster so that it doesn't feel lopsided or chaotic. Achieving
balance might involve placing a large headline at the top of the poster and
balancing it out with smaller text and images at the bottom. Sa ganitong
paraan, magiging magaan sa mata ng mga titingin ang poster at hindi sila
mabibigatan ng anumang elements. Kung hindi balanced ang poster at lahat
ng elements ay nasa isang side lamang, maaaring magmukhang hindi
maayos at hindi magkakasundo.

There are three forms of balance:

a. Symmetrical

 the elements used on one side are reflected to the other This offers the most
stable
(When something is symmetrical, it means that one side mirrors the other. This creates a
sense of harmony and stability in the design.)
Example:
A real-life example of symmetry can be found in architecture. Think of buildings
such as the Taj Mahal in India. This structure have symmetrical facades, where the
architectural elements on one side are mirrored perfectly on the other side. This
symmetry not only adds to the beauty of the building but also contributes to its stability
and visual appeal.

b. Asymmetrical

 the elements are not the same (or of the same weight) on each side, putting
the heaviness on one side.
(An asymmetrical arrangement or design is one where the elements on each side are
different, either in size, shape, color, or weight, creating an imbalance in visual weight.
This deliberate lack of symmetry can create interest, dynamism, and visual tension in a
composition.)
Example:
Artists often use asymmetrical balance to create visually compelling
compositions. For example, in Vincent van Gogh's famous painting "Starry Night," the
distribution of stars, the crescent moon, and the swirling clouds is asymmetrical, yet it
creates a balanced and harmonious composition.

c. Radial

 there is a central point in the composition, around which elements and objects
are distributed.
(In a radial composition, elements and objects are arranged around a central point,
creating a sense of balance and harmony within the overall design. This central point
acts as a focal point, drawing the viewer's attention and organizing the surrounding
elements in a visually pleasing manner.)
Example:
One of the example of radial composition can be found in the layout of a
sunflower. The central disk of the sunflower serves as the focal point, around which the
petals are symmetrically arranged in a circular fashion. This radial arrangement not only
enhances the visual appeal of the flower but also aids in its functionality by maximizing
exposure to sunlight for pollination.

2. Scale and Proportion

 Scale pertains to the size in relation to what is normal for the figure or object
in question.
Sculptures of exaggerate scale are common all over the world as many artists are
taken by the whimsical quality of these objects. One cannot help but smile upon
seeing them in public spaces. In the Philippines. Arturo Luz has created enormous
sculptural versions of the paper clip. For a long time, it occupied a prominent spot at
the entrance of the Ayala Museum.

Proportion, on the other hand, is the size of the components, or of objects in relation
to one another when taken as a composition or a unit. This can also refer to values
such as amounts or number of elements or objects in the composition.

One of the most common cannons asserted relates to the proportion of the body.
This varies from one culture or tradition to another. For the Egyptian artists, the
human form follows a square grid and is informed by the palm of the hand as a unit
of measure. To complete a standing human figure, 18 units (squares) are needed
from head to foot. On the other hand, Greeks held that numerical relationships-the
golden ratio was the key to beauty or to perfection. In the golden ratio, the figure is
divided into two unequal segments wherein the smaller is the same ratio to the larger
segment, and that the longer segment is the same ratio in relation to the whole. In
figures, it can be valued at 1:1.618.

Leonardo da Vinci's "Vitruvian Man" is an exploration on the ideas of the Roman

architect Vitruvius, in which the human body is an example of a classical proportion
in architecture For da Vinci, man's body can be used to better understand the
symmetry that exists in nature and the universe.

PROPORTION CAN BE:

A. Natural - relates to the realistic size of the visual elements in the artwork,
especially for figurative artworks. When it is the accuracy in relation to the real world
that the artist is after, this is now referred to as the principle of scale.

B. Exaggerated-refers to the unusual size relations of visual elements, deliberately

exaggerating the immensity or minuteness of an object. In relation to this, there are
notions in scale that differentiate when an element is smaller than expected
(diminutive), and when something appears to be larger than what is presumed
(monumental).

C. Idealized - most common to those that follow canons of perfection, the size-
relations of elements or objects, which achieve the most ideal size-relations.

3-4. Emphasis and Contrast Emphasis -allows the attention of the viewer to a focal
point(s), accentuating or drawing attention to these elements or objects. This can be
done through the manipulation of the elements or through the assistance of other
principles, especially that of contrast.

Contrast- is the disparity between the elements that figure into the composition. One
object may be made stronger compared to other objects (hence, emphasis). This can
 be done in many ways using the elements of art. For instance, space, specifically the
use of negative and positive space. is an example of contrast. Another example is
the use of complementary colors in a work of art.

5-6. Unity and Variety- Unless intended to be otherwise, compositions are intended to
imbue a sense of accord or completeness from the artwork. This is unity. Variety, on the
other hand, is the principle that aims to retain the interest by allowing patches or areas
that both excite and allow the eye to rest.
7. Harmony- Like what is hinted above, unity and variety is related to the principle of
harmony, in which the elements or objects achieve a sense of flow and
interconnectedness.

8. Movement- This refers to the direction of the viewing eye as it goes through the
artwork, often guided by areas or elements that are emphasized. These focal points can
be lines, edges, shape, and color within the work of art, among others.

9. Rhythm- This is created when an element is repeated, creating implied movement.

Variety of repetition helps invigorate rhythm as depicted in the artwork.

10-11. Repetition and Pattern- Lines, shapes, colors, and other elements may appear
in an artwork in a recurring manner. This is called repetition. In addition, the image
created out of repetition is called pattern. With repetition, there is a sense of
predictability that is conveyed, which in turn imbues the feelings of security and
calmness.
These combined artforms are interesting specimens that can be studied to
understand what artforms and styles have been combined, and furthermore what
skill and techniques, or creative processes can be put to produce interesting and
innovative compositions. In combined arts, improvisation is often tapped in addition
to I and logical considerations of art form, there is a seeming road map to creation.

However, in combined arts, the artist is challenged to deconstruct an idea or

stimulus, from which the content, narrative, technique, artforms, and styles will take
form. Often improvisation of inventiveness is necessary to create an artwork that is to
some extent is unprecedented.

As different art forms and styles are tapped, inspiration may come from numerous
sources, and documenting the process of fusing these influences may be part of the
production. A clear example of combined art is a theatrical performance that taps into
many art forms such as music, 2D and 3D art, literature, lighting and set design,
among others.

Another movement that is reminiscent of the motivations of the Renaissance. and

whose emergence is hinged on the frontiers of science and technology, is called
hybrid arts. Referencing and tapping into the fields of robotics, artificial intelligence,
biotechnology, natural and computer sciences, telecommunications, information,
digital and interface technologies (software programs, speech and face recognition,
social media and online platforms, among many other emergent developments),
artists whose works tread under this movement disrupt the norms in terms of what is
considered as art, and even the way people envisage artistic production. More than
anything else, hybrid arts are driven by the expansion of the imagination and what is
possible through the "blistering pace of scientific and technological development"
(Piirma, 2014). At its heart is an inquiry-and through information and data, the
 capacity of the artist to move around platforms, and the implementation and
manipulation of newfound tools in production, the artist is able to address that
inquiry.

CONCLUSION:
The principles of art are essential tools for artists to communicate their ideas,
feelings, and stories through visual elements. By applying the principles of art,
artists can create compositions that are expressive, engaging, and impactful. The
principles of art can also help viewers to appreciate and understand the artworks
they encounter, as they reveal the choices and intentions of the artists. The
principles of art are not fixed rules, but rather flexible guidelines that can be
adapted to different contexts, styles, and purposes of art.

RECOMMENDATIONS:
Analyze Artworks. Explore different artworks that use the principles of art in various
ways. Look for examples across different art movements, styles, and mediums.
Analyze how artists utilize balance, contrast, emphasis, movement, pattern, rhythm,
unity, variety, proportion, and harmony to convey their messages and evoke
emotions.

Experiment in Your Own Artworks. Experiment with different combinations and

manipulations of the principles of art in your own artistic practice. Try creating
artworks that prioritize one principle over others, or combine multiple principles to
achieve a specific effect. Reflect on how these choices affect your artistic
expression, style, and the way viewers interpret your artwork.

Seek Feedback. Share your artworks with others and ask for feedback on how they
perceive and interpret the principles of art in your works. Encourage constructive
criticism and engage in discussions about how different viewers interpret your use of
balance, contrast, emphasis, and other principles.

Continued Learning. Continue to learn more about the principles of art and how
they relate to other aspects of art, such as the elements of art, the history of art, and
the cultural context of art. Explore resources such as books, articles, online courses,
and museum exhibitions to deepen your understanding of these concepts. Consider
studying the works of influential artists and art theorists who have explored the
principles of art in depth, and examine how their insights can inform your own artistic
practice.