Graphics Reference
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on both sides (for example, two people of the same
weight at the two ends of a see-saw). Informal or
asymmetrical balance has a different weight placed
differently on each side to maintain balance (for
example, when a person on a see-saw who weights
more sits closer to the center and the lighter person
sits farther out on the end). Radial balance is a
circular balance moving out from a center of an
object to maintain balance (for example, when
only one object is centered in a picture). Many
times, we see a combination of formal and radial
balance, or the informal balance with the unequal
organization of elements; for example, several
small shapes may juxtapose a large shape.
We may want to examine how artists created
balance. For example, Anish Kapoor, Double
Mirror 1998 http://art-glossary.com/definition/
anish-kapoor/ achieved balance three dimensions,
and Edward Hopper, People in the Sun, 1960
http://www.wikipaintings.org/en/edward-hopper/
people-in-the-sun in a painting, with an informal
balance that shows the stillness of the scene with
strongly contrasting lights and shadows.
Emphasis
Emphasis is way of bringing dominance or subor-
dination into a design or a painting. Major objects,
shapes, or colors may dominate a picture by taking
up more space (when they are larger and repeated
more often), by being heavier in volume, or by
being stronger in color and color contrast than the
subordinate objects, shapes, or colors. There must
be a balanced relationship between the dominant
and subordinate elements; otherwise there is too
much emphasis. Color and color contrast can be
used to achieve emphasis in a work. Also texture
contributes to emphasis.
Figure 10. Anna Ursyn, “Middleground” (© 2005, A. Ursyn. Used with permission)
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