The principles of art are the ways that the elements of art may be used in a work of art.

Artist design their works by controlling and ordering the elements of art. The principles of art are: Variety, Balance, Proportion, Rhythm, Repetition, Simplicity, Gradation, Contrast, Movement, Harmony, and Emphasis.

The Principles of Art Definitions

Variety:
A principle of art, variety refers to a way of combining the elements of art to create intricate and complex relationships. Look for many different elements of art used in a work of art that has the principle variety. In George Seurats La Grande Jatte, there is a variety in the many different shapes, colors and values. There are many different colors in the painting. In Joseph Cornells shadow box Hotel-Edan, there is variety in the different forms and textures that make us look all around in the box.

Contrast:
A principle of art, contrast refers to a way of combining art elements so that there is a stressing of the difference between those elements. Light vs. dark; rough vs. smooth, etc. In Vincent Van Goghs 1884 oil painting The Ox-Cart, the artist used bright white in the legs and sky, next to dark black in the oxs body and the shadows under the cart to create a contrast of the element of art value.

In Alfred Stieglitzs untitled photograph of his wife, the painter Georgia OKeeffe, hands with one of the skulls from her paintings we have a contrast of not only light and dark value, but also of the texture in the hard smoothness of the bone vs. the fleshy softness of the painters skin.

A principle of art, movement refers to the way an artist uses the elements of art to create a sense of visual movement in an image. In David Hockneys image Day Pool With 3 Blues, the shape and color of the diving board create movement by pulling the viewers eye from the bottom of the painting to the center of the image. In Nancy Browens untitled sculpture, your eye follows the crazy coiling dark green 3D line. You might see it going from the top down, or see it growing out of the pot form at the bottom, either way the 3D line causes movement by having the viewers eye flow from on place to another in the image.

Movement:

Rhythm:
A principle of art, rhythm refers to a way of creating a feeling of movement especially with a visual tempo or beat. This tempo is the rhythm. The repeated shapes, colors, and lines in this very detailed pot created by native American Efren Ledezma not only causes the eye to sweep over the pot, it causes it to have a visual pattern or beat. This pattern is what makes this pot have not only movement, but also rhythm.

In the Tie Dye shirt the pattern is looser than the one in the pot, however, because it repeats over and over through the shirt, it would still be considered a rhythm. If the dye was applied differently a tie dye shirt might not have a rhythm, you must see a pattern of the elements of art.

Repetition:
A principle of art, repetition refers to a way of combining art elements so that the same elements are used over and over again. Repetition will create a visual pattern. In Andy Warhols 100 Cans, the artist used the same shapes, colors and lines to create his image. The pattern that was created has a rhythm, but also repetition because each of the elements are repeated over and over.

Simplicity:
A principle of art, simplicity refers to the practice of using a limited number of similar elements to give a uniform appearance. In Laura Walters Abrams - Eggcentric there is simplicity in the way that the sculptures texture, color, and form are similar and limited to a very few changes.

A principle of art, Gradation refers to a way of combining art elements in a series of gradual changes. Big to small; light to dark; red to violet to blue, etc. In the Japanese wood cut print of the five Hurons, the background gradually goes from dark on top, to light by the birds, then dark again at the bottom. This is an example of gradation of value. In the student drawing of a hallway, we see a gradation of space in how the areas in the drawing seem to get smaller and farther back in the image. The same can be said for the painting Fall Plowing by the American artist Grant Wood. By gradually making the haystacks get smaller in each of the rows that go farther back, the artist has created an illusion of depth that makes the painting seem to go back in space. Gradation is one of the things an artist may use to create perspective or depth in their work.

Gradation:

Proportion:
A principle of art, proportion refers to the relationship of elements to the whole and to each other. It may refer to a relationship of size or amounts. In William Windus Black Boy we see an almost photographic proportion. All of the parts of this person seem to belong together. In Charles Schultzs Charlie Brown charter, the proportion of the head is way to big to the size of the body. When an artist chooses to make something out of proportion, it is called distorted proportion.

Harmony:
A principle of art, harmony is the way an artist combines the art elements to produce the feeling of unity or belonging within an image. An artist may use similar textures, colors values, to make a piece feel even and together. Sometimes harmony is referred to as unity. In Piccasos Blue Guitarist the use of the color blue throughout the painting makes it seem to fit together. A principle of art, In Robert emphasis refers to how Delaunays an artist directs and painting focuses attention to a Rhythm the part of a work of art use of similar using an element of art. shapes, values, and colors give the feeling of harmony or unity. In Claus Oldenbergs large public sculpture Spoonbrigde we see an everyday object blown up to massive size. The use of the large form, as well as the dark red color of the cherry focus us to look at the sculpture.

Emphasis:

In this anime drawing, the artist used emphasis by having the character located all the way to the right of the image, as well as by using strong contrast of value and color. A viewer focuses on the right, ignoring the left side of the image.

Balance:
A principle of art,, balance refers to the ways in which the art elements of a piece are arranged. Balance is commonly broken down into three different ways of looking at balance.

Symmetrical balance refers to a way of organizing the elements of art so that one side of an image duplicates or mirrors the other. Symmetrical balance is often used to give a feeling of solidity and formality. Look at the Wedding Vase by native american potter Rondina Huma, notice how the form of the pot is a mirror image on each side. Some of the small decorations are a little different, but with the vast majority of the shapes and colors the same, this pot would be considered in symmetrical balance.

Symmetrical Balance:

Asymmetrical Balance:

Asymmetrical balance refers to organizing the elements of art so that one side differs from the other, but retains a feeling of harmony. This is done by using similar elements on both sides, but placing them in different locations in the image or sculpture. In Paul Cezannes Te basket of apples, the shapes, colors, and textures appear on both sides, but not in the same loaction or mirriored in the image.

Radial Balance:

Radial balance is where all elements radiate out from a center point in a circular fashion. It is very easy to maintain a focal point in radial balance, since all the elements lead your eye toward the center. In this glass paperwaght the pattern of shapes and colors leads your eye into the center of the glass.

Notes, Sketches, Doodles, Ideas: