A PowerPoint presentation about the principle of art and design - balance.

1. BALANCE
PRINCIPLE OF ART
By Bernard E. Richardson | Master Teacher & Art Educator | 2022

2. What is Balance?
• Is a basic Principle of Art and Design along with emphasis, pattern,
rhythm, movement, contrast, unity and variety.
• BALANCE refers to the distribution of visual weight in an artwork.
• This is achieved according to the way in which the elements of art
(line, shape, space, colour, form, value and texture) are distributed in
a work of art or design.
• VISUAL WEIGHT is the ability of an element of art within a composition to
draw attention to itself (the way it attracts attention).

3. Types of Balance
There are three main types of Balance used in Visual Arts
1. SYMMETRICAL balance
2. ASYMMETRICAL balance
3. RADIAL balance

4. Symmetrical Balance
• Is when both sides (either horizontally, vertically or
diagonally) of a composition or design are equal or are the
same.
• They are identical or almost identical.
• It is a mirror image.

5. Leonardo Da Vinci -The Last Supper
Art work with Symmetrical Balance

6. Georgia O’keefe - Black Iris - 1926
Art work with Symmetrical Balance
Colour photography

7. • When the two sides of the composition or design are not the same
but appears to have equal visual weight.
Asymmetrical Balance
• Balance is achieved by size, colour, texture or variety of images.
Several smaller items on one
side are balanced to by a large
item on the other side.
When smaller elements are
placed farther away from the
center.
When a dark shape is balanced
with several lighter shapes

8. Art work with Asymmetrical Balance
Paul Cezanne – Curtain, Jug & fruit bowl – 1893-94 Colour Photography

9. • When shapes and images are repeated evenly from the center outwards.
• For example the ripples made in a pond when a stone is dropped in it or
the spokes of a bicycle wheel.
• Often seen in nature.
• Also used a lot in Architecture and Landscaping large areas.
RADIAL BALANCE

10. Art work with Radial Balance
Stained glass ceiling
Wall paper design

11. • More complex shapes appear heavier than a
simple shape.
More about Balance
• A bright colour and a dark value can add weight to
an object
• Large objects feel heavier but multiple small
objects can ‘balance’ large objects.

12. Image Courtesy
• https://blog.singulart.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/tour_img-312981-148.jpg

13. The End