Lesson 1.3 - Principles of Arts and Recommended Activities

principles of art

are guidelines or ways of organizing the elements of art to create an effective, meaningful, and visually pleasing artwork.

elements of art

The principles of art are guidelines or ways of organizing the

1. Balance

2. Emphasis

3. Contrast

4. Rhythm

5. Pattern

6. Movement

7. Unity

8. Variety

9. Proportion

10. Harmony

Principles of Art

SEE → DISCOVER → DISCUSS → CREATE → REFLECT

When teaching elementary learners, avoid beginning with abstract definitions alone. Instead, use the sequence:

SEE

Show an artwork or familiar object.

DISCOVER

Allow pupils to observe and identify what they notice.

DISCUSS

Introduce the art principle.

CREATE

Let pupils apply the principle.

REFLECT

Ask pupils to explain their artistic choices.

Balance

refers to the distribution of visual weight in an artwork.

distributed appropriately

An artwork feels stable when its visual elements are

1. Symmetrical Balance

2. Asymmetrical Balance

3. Radial Balance

Types of Balance

1. Symmetrical Balance

Both sides are similar or mirror one another

2. Asymmetrical Balance

Different elements are balanced even though they are not identical.

3. Radial Balance

Elements radiate from a central point.

Emphasis

makes one part of an artwork stand out or become the focal point.

• Size

• Color

• Contrast

• Position

• Detail

• Isolation

• Shape

Artists can emphasize by:

Contrast

Occurs when two or more elements are noticeably different.

• Light vs. dark

• Big vs. small

• Rough vs. smooth

• Warm vs. cool

• Thick vs. thin

• Black vs. white

Artist can show contrast by:

Movement

The principle that creates a sense that the viewer's eyes should move through the artwork.

• Lines

• Repetition

• Direction

• Curves

• Arrangement

Movement can be suggested through:

pattern

is created when elements are repeated in a predictable sequence.

Rhythm

is created by the repeated arrangement of visual elements that produces a sense of visual "beat."

Unity

occurs when the different parts of an artwork work together and feel like one complete composition.

• Similar colors

• Repeated shapes

• Related subjects

• Consistent materials

• Common theme

Unity can be created through:

Variety

means introducing differences among elements to make an artwork interesting.

• Different colors

• Different shapes

• Different textures

• Different sizes

• Different lines

Variety may be shown by:

Proportion

refers to the relationship of the size of one part to another part or to the whole.

Harmony

the principle of art that refers to the pleasing relationship among different elements of an artwork. The parts work well together and create a sense of coherence, comfort, and unity.