What are art principles?

Art principles are a set of guidelines an artist uses to make their art compositions look and feel better. These guidelines are based on the elements of art (line, shape, color, value, texture, and space) and how they are combined with the visual tools that an artist uses to create their artistic vision.

Contrast is a vital component of art. It can help you create a sense of depth and space while also guiding your audience’s eyes to the main focal point in your painting or drawing.

One way to use contrast in your artwork is to contrast colors. For example, you could place a vivid red next to a dull green to create a dramatic effect.

Another way to add contrast is by using texture. You can use a smooth texture to contrast a rough texture or a hard edge to contrast a soft edge.

Creating contrast in your art doesn’t have to be a difficult task! Start by trying simple thumbnails and adjusting the color, texture, or edge contrast to see how it affects your art.

Emphasis is a technique that artists use to make one area of an artwork stand out above all others. It can be achieved through contrast, color, scale, placement, and repetition.

Artists use the principle of emphasis to unify a piece of art, control the sequence in which it is seen, and command attention. They may also use it to create rhythm for the viewer by drawing their eye around a composition and presenting visual elements in a hierarchy.

Emphasis can be created through several techniques, such as contrast, convergence, separation or isolation, exception, subordination, and location. It is a natural human response to seek out the unusual.

Variety is the use of different elements in a composition that create visual interest and energy. It helps prevent monotony, as repetitive elements can look boring.

One example of variety in art is Gustav Klimt’s ‘Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer I’, which uses a variety of shapes that contrast with each other. These include the flowing lines on her dress and the geometric patterns.

Another way to achieve variety is by using edges in a painting. Depending on the proximity of an object or subject to the viewer and the lighting, the edges of objects can become hard, soft, or blurred into the background.

In addition, the use of negative space can also add variety to a painting. For example, the closeness of the boats in Kobke’s 'Sailing Ships' makes them appear unified, but the rest of the painting features larger amounts of negative space to tell the viewer which objects are related.

Unity in art is an important principle that creates a sense of harmony and balance. It is an essential part of any artistic endeavor, as it helps to give a painting, sculpture, drawing, or any other piece of art a consistent look and feel.

One way to achieve unity in an artwork is to use similar values, colors, or shapes. Another way is to balance negative and positive spaces in a composition.

A third way to create unity in an artwork is by positioning objects or figures close to one another. This may seem like an obvious way to create a sense of unity, but it can be a subtle technique that helps to add interest and depth to an artwork.

The final example of unity in art is structural unity. It can be achieved by repeating shapes or lines, arranging them in patterns, or making tessellations.