PLEASE GET YOUR NOTEBOOK OUT & SIT IN YOUR ASSIGNED SEAT

• Title the page:

–“Principles of Design”– Write the following definition:

•Balance - A principle of design, which refers to the way the elements of art are arranged to create a feeling of stability in a work

Balance We use Balance as a way of

controlling gravity. When we walk, our body changes our weight from foot to foot. If we were to loose our balance, what would happen? Artists also recognize the importance of Balance in works of art.

BalanceThere are different types of VISUAL BALANCE

and artists use these types to create works that convey a particular message or idea to a viewer.

Symmetrical (formal) balance means both sides of an imaginary line are the same

Asymmetrical (informal) balance means each side of an imaginary line are different yet equal

Asymmetrical balance… occurs when several

smaller items on one side are balanced by a large item on the other side, or smaller items are placed further away from the center of the screen than larger items. One darker item may need to be balanced by several lighter items.

Radial balance means lines or shapes grow from a center point

Here is an example of a painting demonstrating Formal Balance. Note that you could visually divide the paper in half. There would be a poppy on both sides. No one side dominates the pictures. Neither poppy appears to be more important than the other. Formal Balance pictures will have an imaginary "line of symmetry".

Here also is an example of Formal Balance. Even though the objects are different, the images on both sides of the artwork balance each other perfectly.

Look at this painting

commonly called "Whistler's

Mother". Is this an example of

Formal Balance?

No, it is not. Note that the woman is placed far to the right. The black curtain and large painting on the wall were placed to the left to

balance the woman on the right. This is an example of

Informal Balance. The large form of the woman is

"visually equal" to the black curtain and white painting on

the wall. This makes the painting appear balanced, though the composition is more relaxed and less stiff

than if the woman had been placed in the exact center of

the canvas

This is an example of Radial Balance. Consider looking for a spiral or spinning effect of the

pattern. The axis is the center point and the design or pattern appears

to "radiate" from that point.

This is known as a rose window. It is made up of pieces of stained glass held together by lead. The ornate dark areas are made of

concrete and are called a tracery.

Rose Window, Notre Dame Cathedral, c. 1150, Stained Glass, Paris, France

• Assignment – In your notebook draw an example of each of the 3 kinds of balance