McNally's Art Classes: 2012

With thanks to Ms. Chen, from whose blog I borrowed this concise listing of the Principles:

http://practicumjourney.wordpress.com/art-10-drawing-painting/principles-of-design/

Principles of Design

Principles of Design are descriptions of how artists organize the elements of art. List of the principles sometimes varies, but the main points are covered here.

Balance

shows equalizing visual forces, so no one part overpowers, or seems heavier than any other part. Visual imbalance
makes the viewer feel that the elements need to be rearranged.
Two types:

formal (symmetrical)
informal (asymmetrical)

Emphasis/Proportion

making one part of the work dominant over the other parts, in another word, making an element or an object stand out.

Movement/Rhythm

Rhythm refers to the way your eye moves throughout a picture. Some pictures move you throughout in a connected, flowing way much like a slow, stately rhythm in music. Other pictures move you from one place to another and give you the impression of movement.
Rhythm in art is created by the repetition of elements. Similarity of elements, or flowing, circular elements will give a more connected flowing rhythm to a picture, while jagged, or unrelated elements will create a more unsettling, dynamic picture.

Pattern/Repetition

shows repetition of an element or elements in artwork

Random Pattern – a pattern in which the elements are repeated but in no particular way
Fixed Pattern – a pattern in which the elements are repeated over and over again in specific way

Contrast/Variety

shows difference, for example when combining one or more elements of art to create interest by adding slight changes
Some of the most common ways of creating Contrast are by creating differences in:

Sizes – large vs. small
Shapes – geometric vs. organic/free form, real vs. abstract
Values – light vs. dark
Colors – warm vs. cool, complementary, intense vs. dull
Textures – smooth vs. rough
Direction – horizontal vs. vertical/diagonal/curved

Unity/Harmony

quality of wholeness, oneness or completeness that is achieved through effective use of elements and principles of art, key focus on simplicity, repetition and continuation.
Ways to Create Unity:

Repetition - By using similar lines, colors, shapes, textures, values or forms, you can create a feeling of unity because of the similar elements being used.
Proximity - one of the simplest ways to create unity is by grouping objects in a work of art closely together.

Continuation - A subtle method of unifying a work of art, which involves the continuations of a line, edge or direction from one shape or area to another.