CompositionBalanceA feeling of equality in weight, attention, or attraction of the various visual elements within the pictorial field as a means of accomplishing organic unity.
SymmetricalA form of balance achieved by the use of identical balance compositional units on either side of a vertical axis within the picture plane.
AsymmetricalA form of balance attained when the visual units on balance either side of a vertical axis are not identical but are placed in positions within the picture plane so as to create a “felt” equilibrium of the total form concept.
Elements of art structureThe combination of the basic elements of line, shape, value, texture, space, and color represent the visual language of the artist.
Picture frameThe outer-most limits or boundary of the picture plane.
Picture planeThe actual flat surface on which the artist executes his pictorial image.
Positive shapesThe enclosed areas that represent the initial selection of shapes planned by the artist. They may suggest recognizable objects or merely be planned non-representational shapes.
Negative shapesThese are unoccupied or empty space left after the positive shapes have been laid down by the artist; however, because these areas have boundaries, they also function as shapes in the total pictorial structure.
DominanceThe principle of visual organization that suggests that certain elements should assume more importance than others in the same composition. It contributes to organic unity by emphasizing the fact that there is one main feature and that other elements are subordinate to it.
RepetitionThe use of the same visual element a number of times in the same composition.
RhythmA continuance, a flow, or a feeling of movement achieved by the repetition of regulated visual information.
UnityThe whole or total effect of a work of art that results from the combination of all of its component parts.
MotifA visual element or a combination of visual elements that is repeated often enough in a composition to make it the dominating feature of the artist’s expression. It is similar to theme or melody in a musical composition.
PatternA repetitive configuration of elements that is distributed in a regular or irregular systematic organization.
SymmetricalA form of balance achieved by the use of identical balance compositional units on either side of a vertical axis within the picture plane.
AsymmetricalA form of balance attained when the visual units on balance either side of a vertical axis are not identical but are placed in positions within the picture plane so as to create a “felt” equilibrium of the total form concept.
Elements of art structureThe combination of the basic elements of line, shape, value, texture, space, and color represent the visual language of the artist.
Picture frameThe outer-most limits or boundary of the picture plane.
Picture planeThe actual flat surface on which the artist executes his pictorial image.
Positive shapesThe enclosed areas that represent the initial selection of shapes planned by the artist. They may suggest recognizable objects or merely be planned non-representational shapes.
Negative shapesThese are unoccupied or empty space left after the positive shapes have been laid down by the artist; however, because these areas have boundaries, they also function as shapes in the total pictorial structure.
DominanceThe principle of visual organization that suggests that certain elements should assume more importance than others in the same composition. It contributes to organic unity by emphasizing the fact that there is one main feature and that other elements are subordinate to it.
RepetitionThe use of the same visual element a number of times in the same composition.
RhythmA continuance, a flow, or a feeling of movement achieved by the repetition of regulated visual information.
UnityThe whole or total effect of a work of art that results from the combination of all of its component parts.
MotifA visual element or a combination of visual elements that is repeated often enough in a composition to make it the dominating feature of the artist’s expression. It is similar to theme or melody in a musical composition.
PatternA repetitive configuration of elements that is distributed in a regular or irregular systematic organization.