Visual Composition

Jennifer Mckay

All pictures found on Google.ca

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A moving point (point a to point b) on a

medium that is used to show order;

define the shapes and perimeters of an

image. They may be used to provide

depth; emphasis; to display emotion;

contrast; structure or texture.

Lines

http://digital-photography-school.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/converging-lines-5-1.jpg“Lines”

http://lindaperry.us/nm3217/lineart2.jpg“Lines in art”

Curved lines are used to create a symmetrical design

Straight angled lines portray distance and depth, and direct the eye towards the light.

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Shape (2D)Flat structured object that may

be geometric, natural or abstract. Geometric shapes are generally

symmetrical, while abstract shapes may come in any form.

Abstract shapes are stylized while natural shapes are more fluid. Natural shapes are generally found in nature; sometimes

created by humans. Geometric stars are overlapped to form a new shape.

Distinct rounded rectangle and triangle are combined with a stylized shape to form a new image.

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A 3 dimensional object that can be physically interacted with. Ex. a chair is a 3D form, a human is a 3D form.

FORM (3D)

http://aug50m3.edublogs.org/files/2012/04/SphereRainbowObsidian1L-28v5q40.jpg“Sphere”

In art a 2 dimensional picture may appear 3

dimensional by including depth, lighting and

shadows.

http://d3sdoylwcs36el.cloudfront.net/steel%20objects%20in%20the%20sea.jpg“Art Form”

Image with forms of spheres, doughnuts and linked objects portray a virtual 3D world.

Shiny sphere displays lighting and shadows, making it appear as a lustrous glassy material

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COLOR

Colors are one of the most defining parts of an image, they

may express emotions or atmosphere to the audience of an

artwork. Colors group may be defined as warm or cool; warm

colors generally remind a person of sunlight or fire (yellows,

oranges and reds;) whereas cool colors may remind a person

of winter, ice or water (purples, blues and greens)

Colors opposite to each other are considered

complimentary, colors adjacent to each other

are considered analogous

http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:BYR_color_wheel.svg&page=1“Color Wheel”

Hue: Primary Colors

Value: Lightness or darkness of a color

Intensity: the purity of a color

Monochromatic Color: picture is composed of

one color where only the value changes

http://www.alternative-spiritual-healing.com/images/symbolic-meaning-of-colors01.jpg“Color”

Color is used to draw the eye.

Color wheel displays both complimentary colors as well as analogous colors.

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Texture

A tactile image, often used to add a depth or feel to an image or to

simulate a real object. Ex. In Photoshop a stone or gravel texture may be used to overlay an image of a gallery wall; to portray a level of depth

and realness that the picture did not formerly have.

http://www.slrlounge.com/post-production-how-to-apply-textures-to-images-using-photoshop‘Texture tutorial” http://www.vectorious.net/data/media/2/3399-grunge%20texture.jpg

“Texture”

Picture displays the effect of an added texture on the image.

Image displays a grunge texture which appears stone-like. Works as a good ledge .

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Depth (Perspective)

The (apparent) amount of 3D form given to a 2D image. Depth in art is the perception of an added dimension. Depth may be achieved through scale of objects, lighting & shadow, location, detail (use of colors to simulate closeness or distance; also blurriness or

crispness of objects and lines) and use of lineshttp://www.pxr.dk/wmt/images/articles/doftut/DofTutorialDepthA0000.jpg“Depth”

http://findimelda.com/483e_web/project02/photographysite/images/depth_of_field.jpg“Depth”

Uses shadows and sharp lines to show closeness and lighter faded colors to show distance and angle of light

Angle, blurriness and scale are used to show distance.

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Lighting and shadows enhance form in 2D objects; it can suggest the volume or depth of an image. It may be used to silhouette or

highlight an object to create emphasis, shadow may be used to tone down areas that

draw too much attention.

LIGHT

http://www.cgl.ucsf.edu/Outreach/Workshops/UCI-2005/02-PubPres/sphere-light.png“sphere”

http://www.photopumpkin.com/wp-content/uploads/light-graffiti-12.jpg“Light”

Light on black used to create form.

Shadows used to make the circle sphere like and 3 dimensional.

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( M o t

i o n )

Blurry Outlines will appear to show a figure moving too fast to be caught by camera.Optical Illusions use repetition, color and lines to confuse the eye of the viewer who will perceive motion when none is present.Multiple Images uses overlapped images or drawings to show the visual steps of an action (common in gesture drawings of moving people or things)

Anticipated motion is like taking a freeze frame (mid-swing) of a man swinging an axe, you can see that the man is going to complete the action but is still frozen in the motion.Optical Movement involves using multiple forms and elements to force the eye to roam the page in order to take in everything. This effect may be achieved through the use of curved lines and circular patterns.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/da/Galahs_flying_motion_blur.jpg “Motion”

DirectionMotion can not actually be seen in a single photograph, so artists use certain techniques to give figures and objects the appearance of a moving object.

http://very-bored.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=95“Motion”

Blurred shapes make the birds wings appear to be moving too fast to be captured on film

Color splatter towards the left shows the direction in which the bullet is moving.

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Mass is the amount of weight or heaviness a design appears to have. It may be conveyed by posture, distance, size and lighting. Shadows appear to be heavier than light, and closer objects may appear more dense than distant objects, if the objects are in open air. Mass is relative to the entire picture; with each object carrying their own percentage of the visual weight in an image.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

http://www.moodsofnature.com/design/lever-copy.jpg“Visual Weight”

Masshttp://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2008/09/new-work-by-benjamin-hubert-lilly-3.jpg“Visual Weight”

The wider, shorter stool appears to be heavier than the thinner shorter stool

Larger shapes on the left draw the eye, while the smaller circle appears less significant

11Tone (Black and White)

Tone or value can be defined as the intensity of light colors and dark colors added to an image in regards to lighting and shading. Black and white are not usually directly applied to an image as lighting or shading colors; instead a darkened or lightened version of a already existing color is applied, usually with low opacity. Shade: A darkened color used to define shadows

Tint: A lightened color used to define lightingTone: A color to which grey has been addedValue: The degree of shadow or lighting in an imageHue: Color

http://0.tqn.com/d/painting/1/0/S/Q/1/Tone-allcolors2.jpg“Tone”

http://painting.about.com/od/colourtheory/ss/ColorClassTones_4.htm“Color Tone”

Shows the changes in both color and tone.

Displays a change in hue from greyscale to color but the tone remains unchanged.

The relative lightness or

darkness of a certain area in an image. Used to create illusion,

depth, emphasis or intensity.

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http://www.amazingquiltsbygrace.com/wp-content/uploads/color_value.png“Color Value”

http://a1star.com/images/suprnova.gif

http://www.amazingquiltsbygrace.com/wp-content/uploads/color_value.png“Color Value”

Shows color move from light to dark, indicating a change in value.

Displays the color with its equal greyscale counterpart and the value range of a pink color

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Space (Positive and Negative)

Negative space refers to empty space in an image, it may contain a color, but it is more of a backing for the central design rather than a main component of it.

Positive space is the occupied area of an image; the part that contains subject matter.

Positive space Negative

Space

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Rubin2.jpg“Positive and Negative Space”

http://www.fmhscts.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/space_neg.jpg“Positive Space”

Shows the negative space around the cherries.

Contrasts the positive space of the golden vase with blank white space of the vase, changing which part of the image the brain focuses on.

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Balanc

e

To balance art is make all proportions equal in regards to visual weight; all elements are evenly distributed.

Symmetrical Designs are perfectly centered and mostly identical on both sides, if you do much to much to manipulate the elements, the image could become asymmetrical.

Asymmetrical Designs are off center, the picture will still be balanced but the elements will be mismatched enough to throw off symmetry. In Asymmetrical Balance you evenly distribute the given elements to create balance. ie. Using multiple small elements to balance a larger pictureRadial Designs use elements with circular patterns and spiral forms, the image must still be balanced through element arrangement.

http://laurabuck.files.wordpress.com/2008/10/balance.jpg“Art Balance”

http://www.stoughton.k12.wi.us/imageGallery/KLarmour16797/art.jpg“Art Balance”

Hands are balanced and almost symmetrical, but the color is slightly different on both hands and one hand is slightly higher than the other

A symmetrical design structure is shown, but the paint colors at the top differ.

EmphasisWhen an element is used to dominate an image; in order to be the main or one of the main focal points of the design.

May be done with image placement, sizes of elements, contrasting colors or manipulation of lighting/shading

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http://www.sophia.org/design-in-art-emphasis-variety-and-unity-tutorial“Emphasis Art”

http://www.nhsdesigns.com/images/examples/graphic-principles_emphasis.jpg“Emphasis Art”

The surrounding green leaves emphasis the flowers make them the main focal point of the image

The contrast in colors (blue sky & red lipstick), and the appearance of a broken area draw the eye to the lips.

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The size or scale of an element in relation to the entire image. The human body is often used as a unit of measurement in regards to proportion.

ie. In art the human body is usually 6.5 – 8 heads tall

Proportion (Scale)

http://treesimages.com/wp-content/plugins/WPRobot3/images/29b48_trees_3752664173_b7e1e5fa5c.jpg“Tree Bark”

http://ultimate-wallpaper.com/media/wallpapers/photos/cache/1nnFkx_animalwall_preview.jpg“Cat Huge Eyes”

http://www.libertywildlife.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Little-owl-big-eyes.jpgOwl Big Eyes

Photo-Shopped eyes make the cats face look disproportionate.

Large eyes look (somewhat) normal on the owl in regards to their facial proportions.

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Repetition (Rhythm)The consistent use of similar or same elements page to page in the same location.ie. Page number, picture location, font alignment or style type etc.

http://www.empowerorphans.org/userfiles/Upstart%20Magazine%20page2.jpg“Magazine Page”

http://cdn.dailypainters.com/paintings/repetition_of_houses_9b0641e5b30787ab359f12f6193cce83.jpg“Repetition Art”

Magazine page displays text format and page layout that would probably be repeated throughout most of the publication.

Consecutive line of houses shows basic repetition in art.

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Unity

To make all objects, or elements in an image appear to be tied together, even if unrelated.

Repetition – using repetition of color, shape, style etc. to tie the picture togetherProximity – using closeness to make things appear relatedContinuation – using lines and alignment to achieve unity

http://cache2.allpostersimages.com/p/LRG/15/1540/R8PBD00Z/posters/stewart-monica-unity.jpg“Unity Art”

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http://nhsdesigns.com/images/artwork/vincent-van-gogh_starry-nig.jpg“Unity Art”

The use of long triangular dresses, overlapping lines and linked arms make all the women look a combined unit in the image

Rounded edges and curved lines keep the picture and all the colors tied together.

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Contrast

http://a1.s6img.com/cdn/box_002/post_12/294969_14913138_lz.jpg“Contrast”

Using elements with obvious differences to adjust emphasis and to

make a design more interesting. Methods of creating contrast include differences in size, color, value and

texture and style.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4130/4994607052_6a0ef72258.jpg“Contrast Art”

Placing a flower on denim creates contrast in both texture (smooth and slightly rough) and color (greyish blue and rich purple).

The use of bright textured colors on black creates perceived depth and emphasis on the turtle because the black appears as negative space.

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HarmonyCombining same, similar or related elements.ie. Adjacent colors, similar form, style, elements with similar meaning/symbolism etc.

http://www.mica.edu/Images/pr_images/amy%20appleton_harmony_272.jpg“Harmony”

http://myjustliving.com/image.axd?picture=2011%2F2%2Fharmony.jpg“Harmony”

http://cdn.dailypainters.com/paintings/_dream_clouds__by_karla_nolan__oil_painting_on_canvas_panel_landscape_western_art_palette_knife_oil_painting_brushwork_rocky_mountains_colorado_impressionist_abac0bee3549d0b476a4cae7ff83b293.jpg“Landscape”

The use of an almost symmetrical image with reversed colors on each side creates harmony

The contrast of night and day in a YinYang design shows both opposition and balance between two contrasting elements.

接近 Proximity

21http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_vqD89Qvcn94/SuCv70JYT6I/AAAAAAAACFg/NDTwGAkAcY4/s400/MS+Six.jpg“Grouping Art”

Organizing visual structure by placing related objects closer together and unrelated items further apart

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http://thumbs.imagekind.com/member/253aed58-7683-44e4-8ff3-534f3ec05aeb/uploadedartwork/650X650/47c5c5cb-ebdc-4809-b4a0-62cd2c123657.jpg“Grouping Art”

Close proximity of the art makes it appear to be related, possibly created by the same artist.

Grouping of sea shells creates the appearance that they may be part of the same collection.

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Variety

Using a mixture of elements in a piece, that vary in size, texture, color etc. and still have a form of unity with each other.Ways to vary elements:> Color: saturation, value (lightness & darkness) and contrast> Texture: rough, smooth, natural, unnatural> Line: weight, length, angle and color> Shape: form, size, color, texture, orientation

http://smartphonewallpaper.com/wallpapers/abstract_sky-960x854.jpg“Variety Art”

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xuila7PDqFY/Tr1SFZoKBxI/AAAAAAAAADE/jZmdsHJODKc/s1600/radioww.jpg“Variety Art”

Use of differing sky or flight related objects creates both a form of unity and a slight sense of chaos.

Contrasting colors and random lines create variety.