Understanding Abstract Art

More Than Meets the Eye

PRINCIPLES OF DESIGN• Dominance

• Unity• Harmony• Balance• Repetition

Understanding Abstract ArtDOMINANCE

(Focus or Emphasis)• Dominance gives a painting interest,

counteracting confusion and monotony • Most artists put the dominance a bit off

center and balance it with some minor themes to maintain our interest

Understanding Abstract Art

UNITY

• Relating the design elements to the idea being expressed in a painting reinforces the principal of unity.

• Unity in a painting also refers to the visual linking of various elements of the work.

Understanding Abstract Art

BALANCE

• A large shape close to the center can be balanced by a small shape close to the edge.

• A large light toned shape will be balanced by a small dark toned shape (the darker the shape the heavier it appears to be)

Understanding Abstract Art

HARMONY

Harmony in painting is the visually satisfying effect of combining similar, related elements. eg.adjacent colors on the color wheel, similar shapes etc.

Understanding Abstract Art

GRADATION

Gradation of size and direction produce linear perspective. Gradation of color from warm to cool and tone from dark to light produce aerial perspective. Gradation can add interest and movement to a shape. A gradation from dark to light will cause the eye to move along a shape.

Understanding Abstract Art

REPETITION• Repeating shapes or

other elements • Repetiton with

variation is interesting, without variation repetition can become monotonous

Understanding Abstract Art

CHALLENGE

Before your next Art Show, review the abstracts in your portfolio to find an example of each of these principles. Add interest by discussing one or two of these at your show. You may find that the Guest who thinks, “My 3 year old could paint that.” will have a better understanding of Abstract Art.