Term | Definition |
composition | organizing visual elements to give desired aesthetic in a work |
unity | oneness or wholeness of a work of art |
conceptual unity | unity that is achieved through relationship meaning and function of image |
balance | distribution of weight, mass contrast with pictoral balance |
pictorial balance | distribution of apparent or visual weight of elements in 2d works of art |
symmetry | same of both sides of a dividing line |
symmetrical balance | where it feels like there is the same amount of stuff on both sides |
asymmetrical balance | where it doesn't look the same on both sides but there is a same amount of stuff on each side where it looks balanced |
horizontal balance | balance in which elements on left and right side seem to be balanced |
vertical balance | balance in which elements on top and bottom seem to be balanced |
diagonal balance | balance in which elements are balanced along a diagonal plane |
radial balance | balance in which elements radiate from a center point |
imbalance | balance where there is no balance |
emphasis | focuses viewers attention on one or more parts of the art work |
focal point | specific point in the art work the artist wants you to focus on |
regular repetition | systemic repetition of the visual elements in a work to create rhythm |
rhythm | orderly repetition of visual elements in art |
scale | relative size of an object compared to other objects |
hierarchical scaling | use of relative size to indicate comparative importance of the depicted objects or people |
proportion | relationship in size of parts of body, building or object in work of art |
canon of proportion | set of rules governing what is considered perfect proportions of human body |
golden mean | principle that small part of a work of art should relate to the larger parts of the piece |
golden rectangle | rectangle based on golden mean and constructed so that its width is 1.618 times its height. |