In this image, the colors of the paddlers' kayaks contrasts with the muted tones of the background. From there, our eye moves to the contrasting textures and colors of the foliage in the top half of the image.Įmphasis is created in a work of art when the artist contrasts colors, textures, or shapes to direct your viewing towards a particular part of the image. In this work of art, our eye moves up through the pattern in the rippling surface of the water to the two paddlers. Movement can be directed by lines, contrasting shapes, or colors within the artwork. Movement is the way a viewer's eye is directed to move through a composition, often to areas of emphasis. In this image, the texture of the trees contrasts with the texture of the water. In this image, notice how the photographer achieves a sense of balance by dividing the image into two sections: one half occupied by trees, and the other half by the water.Ĭontrast is the use of several elements of design to hold the viewer's attention and to guide the viewer's eye through the artwork. Note: Each principle below refers to the photograph of paddlers below to illustrate key concepts. Right-click and select "Open Image in New Tab" to view a larger version of the photo.īalance is created in a work of art when textures, colors, forms, or shapes are combined harmoniously. Notice how the following principles integrate the elements of formal analysis and build on one another. For instance, a drawing of a rock might appear to have a rough and hard surface, but in reality is as smooth as the paper on which it is drawn. Textures can be rough or smooth, soft or hard. Texture is the surface quality that can be seen and felt. Even black and white images have a huge number of different shades of gray. Increasing or decreasing the amount of space around an object affects the way we view that object.Ĭolor differentiates and defines lines, shapes, forms, and space. Space is the area between and around objects. Balls, cylinders, boxes and pyramids are forms. Shapes can be organic (irregular shapes found in nature) or geometric (shapes with strong lines and angles such as circles, triangles, and squares).įorms are three-dimensional shapes with length, width, and depth. Shapes are created when lines are combined to form a square, triangle, or circle. Contrast is the extreme changes between values. Value can be used with color as well as black and white. It is the contrast between black and white and all the tones in between. Value is the degree of light and dark in a design. Line can be used to create more complex shapes or to lead your eye from one area in the composition to another. Line is the most basic building block of formal analysis.
The elements of formal analysis are building blocks that can be combined to create a larger structure. This strategy can be applied to any work of art, from any period in history, whether a photograph, sculpture, painting or cultural artifact. In other words, it is a strategy used to translate what you see into written words. Formal analysis is an important technique for organizing visual information.
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