Design Principles and Personal Choices

Mixed MediaMr. Reed

Principles of Design

Balance Emphasis Contrast Pattern Rhythm Movement Unity

BalanceBalance is the equalizing visual forces, or elements, in a work of art. There are 3 types of balance:

Symmetrical – both sides of the artwork carry equal weight

Carter Smith

Katie Scott

Asymmetrical – one part of the artwork carries more weight than the other parts.

Overall balance is achieved by placing many smaller items opposite the larger ones.

Kate Shaw

Radial – the image radiates out from a central point in the artwork Andy Goldsworthy

Ernst Haeckel

EmphasisEmphasis calls attention to a point in the artwork. The point of interest is usually in contrast to the surrounding space.

Contrast is a technique for creating a focal point by using differences in elements.

Contrast

Kerry James Marshall

Contrast can also be made by creating differences in line, value, texture or size.

Gerhard Richter over-painted photographs

LOW Contrast

PatternThe repeating of an object of symbol throughout the artwork

creates a pattern. The repetition may be organized or random.

Rhythm

Rhythm is the principle that indicates movement by the repetition of elements. Visual rhythm is perceived through the eyes and is created by repeating positive spaces separated by negative spaces.

Movement is the creation of the illusion of action or physical change in position.

Movement

UNITYUnity is the quality of wholeness or oneness that is achieved through the effective use of the elements and principles of design.

Mixed Media Used for hundreds of years

Works of art that are put together using different media for a composition such as collage, photography, digital media or painting made from whatever the artist chooses to use.

Artist Edgar Degas used ink with charcoal and pastels and Leonardo da Vinci would also combine media.

Modern day mixed media is associated with the Cubist development of collages early in the 20th century by artists Georges Braque and Pablo Picasso.

By assembling diverse elements the Cubists made three dimensional pieces starting in 1912.

Using paint, glue, wood and table cloth fringe Picasso created his work the "Still Life" in 1914.

The mixed media practice continued with the Surrealist movement. Surrealism was the movement that represented the subconscious mind through creating fantastic images. This was done by placing ideas together that appear to contradict each other. The use of mixed media became more prevalent during the 1950's, 1960's and is still in use.

Edgar Degas

(July 19, 1834 – September 27, 1917) French artist famous for his work in painting,

sculpture, printmaking and drawing. One of the founders of Impressionism although he

rejected the term, and preferred to be called a realist. A superb draughtsman, he is especially identified with

the subject of the dance, and over half his works depict dancers.

His portraits are considered to be among the finest in the history of art.

The Star – Pastel on Monotype

Dancers Practicing at the Bar – Mixed Media on Canvas

Portrait of Edmond Duranty– Pastel and Tempera

After the Bath– Pastel, Gouache, Charcoal, Varnish, Gray Paper Strips,

mounted on Cardboard

Pablo Picasso (born October 25, 1881, Málaga, Spain

—died April 8, 1973, Mougins, France) Spanish expatriate painter, sculptor,

printmaker, ceramicist, and stage designer, one of the greatest and most influential artists of the 20th century and the creator (with Georges Braque) of Cubism.

For nearly 80 of his 91 years Picasso devoted himself to an artistic production that contributed significantly to and paralleled the whole development of modern art in the 20th century.

Still Life with Chair Caning

Still Life with Bowl

Georges Braque

Tenora

Artist - Joseph Cornell

Artist - Joseph Cornell

Mixed Media Project

Brainstorm ideas and do thumbnail sketches. Understand the principles of design and brainstorm personal choices to link to each

visual representation (ie: Pattern=Obsessions, Contrast=Arguments over beliefs, Emphasis=Determination and focus, Rhythm=Busyness or Lazyness, Balance=Religion and family, Movement=Leaving a group, Unity= Inclusion)

Choose one personal choice that parallels the guiding organization ideas for each principle. Complete visual research to collect imagery needed for your compositions.

You will complete one combined work to depict each of their choices to help communicate the idea while using organization of the principles of design (total of 7 pieces).

Each work must use three or more different types of media (colored pencil, paint, collage, digital media, ink, photography, charcoal, etc.), one has to be digital media.

You will assess your work using a grading rubric and complete the lesson with an artist statement about your work.

Mixed Media Project - Example

Resources

http://www.jiskha.com/art/visual_arts/ped.html