Unity and Variety - Unity is when things come together, are the same, or in a different sense, “unite”. Variety is when there are multiple different types of things, completely polar to unity.
An example of Unity and Variety is Concentric Circles by Wassily Kandinsky. The circles vary in their colors but are each united through their shapes.
Balance - Balance is when two or more things, supposedly opposite or different, are equal.
An example of Balance is this panel from the Ghent Altarpiece by Jan Van Eyck. It is incredibly symmetrical, contributing to its balance. There are an equal amount of people on each side of the artwork. (insert something symmetrical).
Emphasis and Subordination - When something has Emphasis, it is focal and purposely noticeable. When something is in Subordination, it is in a lower rank or not of high value as whatever else it is being put with.
In The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci, Jesus is being emphasized as he is in the center of the picture and slightly isolated, while the disciples are in subordination on the sides of Jesus.
Directional Forces - Directional forces are shapes or lines created by different aspects of an artwork, like the subject, that is visually noticeable.
An example of a directional force is The Cloud by Prince Eugene. The path starting at the bottom of the painting leads up to the large cloud at the center, making it more noticeable because the audience’s eyes are following the path.
Repetition and Rhythm - Repetition is when something occurs over and over again.
An example of repetition is Garbhadhatu Mandala. There is a continuous pattern throughout the artwork of what appears to be symbolic beings.
Scale and Proportion - The Scale of something is its size when compared to the size of another thing. The Proportion is the size of something compared to the size of the overall thing in which it is in.
An example of Scale and Proportion is Tragic Prelude by John Steuart Curry. The subject of the art, John Brown, has sizing much larger than the rest of the people.
Kindred Spirits by Asher Brown Durand. Section 3.4 Prebles’ Artforms. Figure 3.24
Through atmospheric perspective, Durand creates the illusion of depth in the mountains with diminishing light and dark contrasts as well as color intensity. The fading of the colors become more dull the further out one goes in the art. He balances the detail of the men with the dullness of the foreground. The painting appears realistic with the proportion of the two men on the rock; they are both smaller in size compared to the rocks. There are several overlapping aspects, especially in the background, where the mountains connect with diagonal lines overlapping each other.
3. Connecting Art to Your World
One experience of color that has affected me was going to the vegetative regions of Hawaii on a trip. The incredible saturation of greens from the many plants I encountered were beyond stunning. Specifically the darker color value triggered a calming sensation. I remember the vibrant pinks, yellows, and oranges of the flowers; they were so bright, I could see them from far away. If I had to pick a color scheme for my life, it would be the combination of shades of white, green, and pink. Green reminds me of the natural beauty of plants. Pink is also a reminder of flowers that accent the color of green. White is a simple background color that both pink and green can build upon.
For my cartoon, I decided to depict the life of tennis balls. I love playing tennis, it is my favorite sport. However, the tennis balls are supposed to be symbolic of how life can randomly hit you when you least expect it. The first panel shows three fresh tennis balls, still in their can. After being taken out, the player picks one of the three balls to use for the match. And finally, the last panel demonstrates the endless hitting of the ball by rackets during the match. I wanted to use tennis balls because I frequently relate to them while I play tennis, which may seem odd. But sometimes I feel like a tennis ball, being continuously tormented by the racket of life.
5. Photo/Design: Black and White vs. Color Photography - Group 6
Black and White Photography
https://photographypro.com/black-and-white-photography/
By removing color from the equation, the audience can focus on the primary subject of the picture: the penguin. There is a sadder aspect to the photograph when color is removed. Perhaps the photographer is attempting to capture a lonely penguin in its habitat of rocks. Without color, there is no more life to the image, no enhancement that can please the eye; rather, the depiction of an isolated penguin.
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/photography/2021/02/arresting-vintage-photos-from-the-nat-geo-archives/#/pod-26-01-2021_nationalgeographic_458013.jpg
Taken by Sam Abell
This is the beautiful Bungle Bungle Range, located in the northwestern region of Australia. By including color in this image, the photographer captures the natural beauty of Earth’s incredible features. The red tones of the rocks highlight the ripples in their formation. The shades in the sky are accented by the color of the rocks, depicting a glorious and gazing sight. Personally, I feel that the color is integral to the photograph because it conveys the natural culmination of Earth’s beauty.
