Lauren Woods 2D Chapters 1 and 2

Chapter I: Introduction to Elements of Design

The Language of Visual Communication

Three Components of Art

• Subject - What is work about

• Form - How was it made

• Content - Why was it made/what does it mean to the artist and viewer

Subject

• Representational

• Abstract

• Non-objective

Subject: Art and Reality

Representational Art

Types of Representational Art

• Figurative

• Trompe l’oeil

• Paintings of Subjects

Figurative

Trompe L’oeil

Representation of Subjects

a.k.a. Still-Life

Abstract vs. Non-Objective

Abstract

The Transformation of Picasso

The Transformation of Mondrian

Non-Objective

Form

Form is made up of:The Elements of Art:

• Line

• Shape

• Value

• Texture

• Color

• Space

• Time and Motion

The Principles of Organization:

• Harmony and Variety

• Balance

• Proportion

• Dominance

• Movement

• Economy

ingredients recipe

Content

Content Defined

The emotional or intellectual message of a work

of art is its content--a statement, expression or

mood developed by the artist and interpreted by

the viewer.

Subject: A Kiss

The next images show same subject in different

forms. The form of the subject affects the

content, or meaning of the piece.

Iconography

Iconography Defined

• The symbolic meaning of signs, subjects, and images.

• Based on tradition and culture.

• Symbolism of icons depicts meaning rather than the actual objects depicted.

Same Icon, Different Meanings in Different Times and Cultures

Subject, Form, and Content work together to make Organic Unity

Organic Unity is a condition in which the

components of art are completely interdependent

and the resulting wholeness is vital to a

successful work.

Think of this as a successfully completed meal.

Basic Concepts of 2D Art

• Figure or Positive Shape - The subject of an image.

• Ground or Negative Space - The background or environment around the main subject of the image.

The Picture Plane

• In 2D visual art the picture plane refers to the flat surface onto which the medium is applied. It generally refers to the surface of an image, especially in the case of illusionary depth. The illusion of depth and three dimensionality that accompanies certain types of pictures is described as penetrating the picture plane.

The Picture Plane

Chapter 2 : FormThe Principles of Organization

Key Principles of Organization

• Harmony

• Variety

• Balance

• Proportion

• Dominance

• Movement

• Economy

Harmony and Variety

Harmony and Variety

• Harmony - The appearance or condition of oneness or unity. All elements work together for a cohesive whole.

• Variety - Diversity of elements in a work.

Most artwork balances the two ideas

Harmony: Repetition and Rhythm

Repetition and Rhythm

• Repetition - repeating certain elements gives a composition unity, flow and emphasis.

• Rhythm - created through related variations of dominant and subordinate elements in a sequence.

Harmony: Pattern

Pattern

• Pattern- aka motif, a model that is repeated numerous times. Can be repetition of an item or idea.

Harmony: Closure

Closure

• Closure- a concept from Gestalt psychology in which the mind perceives an incomplete pattern or information to be a complete unified whole.

• Gestalt- an organized whole where the sum is greater than its individual parts.

Harmony:Visual Linking

Visual Linking

Visual Linking- when elements of a composition

actually share space by any of the following:

• shared edges

• overlapping

• transparency

• interpenetration

Harmony: Linking Through Extensions

Linking Through Extensions

Also known as directional forces. Implied edges,

lines or shapes create a system of visual

alignment.

These implied elements lead your eye around a

composition.

Characteristics of Directional Forces

• An additional guide to the viewer on where to look in a piece.

• Reveals underlying visual structure.

• Typically, verticals are suggest stillness and grandeur, horizontals suggest rest and space, and diagonals suggest motion and activity.

Variety: Contrast

Contrast

Juxtaposes dissimilar elements

Can provide

• Visual interest

• Emphasis of a point

• Expression of Content

Variety: Elaboration

Elaboration

• Emphasis - tool artists use to draw attention to an area. If area is the main focus of the work it is called the focal point.

• Subordination - keeps lesser important areas from distracting from the focal point.

With these, an artist guides us where to look.

Variety: Discord

Discord

• Discord- Unrelated parts are put together and variety outweighs harmony. If controlled it creates visual excitement, if not it creates chaos.

Balance

Characteristics of Balance

• In 2D it is a visual achievement of equilibrium.

• In 3D it is not only a visual achievement, but also a physical achievement.

• Things can be balanced symmetrically, radially, or asymmetrically.

Factors that affect Balance

• Position or placement of elements in design.

• Size of elements

• Proportion of elements to the whole

• Character and direction of elements

2D Balance

• The visual weight or force of an area within an artwork depends on the amount of attention that area draws. This becomes an area of visual impact.

• Where there are moments of increased visual impact, these points of interest create moments of force, which results in a controlled visual tension and a total balance of the work as a whole.

Symmetrical Balance

Characteristics of Symmetrical Balance

• Things distributed equally among both sides along an imaginary centerline.

• Sides match exactly or nearly.

• Makes things comprehensible at a glance

• Connotes permanence and poise. Often used to depict the divine in religious imagery.

Approximate Symmetrical Balance

Radial Balance

Asymmetrical Balance

Characteristics of Asymmetrical Balance

Both sides of image not equally dispersed.

Rather various elements are balanced according

to compositional tools such as:

• Large forms vs. small

• Weight of form in relation to picture plane

• Complexity of form

• Warm vs. cool colors

• Saturation of color

Weight of Form in Relation to Picture Plane

Large Form vs. Small Form

Complexity of Form

Warm vs. Cool Colors

Saturation of Color

Scale and Proportion

Scale and Proportion Defined

• Scale - The size relation of one whole thing to another, usually to a standard unit of measurement.

• Proportion - The size relationship of parts to a whole.

Effect of Scale on a Work

Effect of Proportion on a Work

Golden Section/Ratio

http://jwilson.coe.uga.edu/EMT668/EMAT6680.2000/Obara/Emat6690/Golden%20Ratio/golden.html

Dominance

Ways to Achieve Dominance

Dominance is also like emphasis/subordination, becomes a

way to strive for interest through emphasizing degrees of

importance. Creates a focal point. Ways to create dominance:

• Isolation

• Placement

• Direction

• Scale or Proportion

• Character

Isolation

Placement

Direction

Scale or Proportion

examples of hierarchical scaling

Character

Movement

Same as Directional Forces

Economy

Space

3D- Plastic Space

2D- Decorative Space

Somewhere in Between