Principles of

Visual Arts
 Principle of Visual Arts

1. BALANCE
✓ refers to the visual weight of the elements
of the composition. It is a sense that the
painting feels stable and "feels right.“
 Principle of Visual Arts

Types of Balance

1. Symmetrical Balance
✓ If you fold an image in half and it is the same
on both sides it has symmetry, it is
symmetrical.
 Principles of Visual Arts
Example of Symmetrical Balance
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Types of Balance

2. Asymmetrical Balance
✓ If you fold an image in half and it is not the
same on both sides it has asymmetry, it is
asymmetrical.
 Principles of Visual Arts
Example of Asymmetrical Balance
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Types of Balance

3. Radial Balance
✓ the elements radiate out from a central point.
Elements are repeated evenly both vertically
and horizontally from the axis lines.
 Principle of Visual Arts
Example of Radial Balance
 Principle of Visual Arts
2. PATTERN AND RYHTHM
✓ Pattern - is a continuous repetition of exactly
the same element, figure or design in an
artwork.
✓ Rhythm - is created by movement implied
through the repetition of elements of art in a
non-uniform but organized way. Unlike
pattern, which demands consistency, rhythm
relies on variety.
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Example of Pattern
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Example of Rhythm
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3. EMPHASIS
✓ when the artist creates an area of the
composition that is visually dominant and
commands the viewer's attention.
✓ it is when contrast, placement, size, color, or
other features are used to highlight one
object, area, or other elements of the artwork.
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Ways to create Emphasis:

a. Contrast
✓ can be done by
selecting contrasting
colors, absence of
color, or using
complementary color.
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Ways to create Emphasis:
b. Isolation
✓ is a straight-forward way to
ensure the “main character”
of a picture is noticed. Place
an object of emphasis
outside of a grouping and
you will force your audience
to take notice of it.
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Ways to create Emphasis:
c. Location
✓ placing important objects or
people near the center of a
canvas will add to their
emphasis. Using a bulls-eye
as an example, the location of
a compositional element
contributes to our feelings
about emphasis as well.
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Ways to create Emphasis:
d. The Unusual
✓ a fun way to create emphasis
in a composition is to have
one element stand-out
because it is so different – a
round object among angular
shapes, a line of people with
one facing the wrong way.
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Ways to create Emphasis:
e. Blurring
✓ emphasis is also achieved
when the background or
other elements are
blurred or unsharpened.
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4. PERSPECTIVE
✓ Perspective refers to the “point of view”.
a. Linear Perspective - This perspective leads
the eyes to a vanishing point that disappears
deep into the image. The lines leading to the
vanishing point created by the rails are called
orthogonal.
 Principle of Visual Arts

4. PERSPECTIVE
✓ Perspective refers to the “point of view”.
a. Linear Perspective - This perspective leads
the eyes to a vanishing point that disappears
deep into the image. The lines leading to the
vanishing point created by the rails are called
orthogonal.
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✓ 1-point perspective consists of a single
vanishing point and recreates the view when
one side of the subject.
✓ 2-point perspective uses one vanishing point
on either side of the subject.
✓ 3-perspective works for a subject viewed
from above or below. Three vanishing points
depict the effects of perspective occurring in
three directions.
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 Principle of Visual Arts
One-Point Perspective
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Two - Point Perspective
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Three - Point Perspective
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b. Aerial or atmospheric Perspective – the

effect that the atmosphere has on the tone and
color of a landscape when it is viewed over a
distance.
Aerial perspective can be demonstrated by a
mountain range in which the mountains in the
distance appear lighter in value and a bit cooler,
or bluer, in hue.
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Aerial or atmospheric Perspective