Principles of Design – Emphasis – Flashcards

principle of art that makes one part of a work dominant over the other parts. An element or subject that appears to be the most important area of a composition is considered to be dominant.

If something is dominant, it commands attention. Artists use the principle of emphasis to make their meaning or message to the viewer dominant. They also use emphasis to unify a work of art, control the sequence in which the parts of the artwork are noticed, and control the amount of attention a viewer gives to each part.

In the first type, an element of art such as color, shape, or texture dominates the work. In the second type of emphasis, an area dominates the entire artwork. The area an artist chooses to emphasize in a work of art becomes the focal point.

They are contrast, isolation, location, proportion, and converging lines (convergence).

a focal point by emphasizing the differences between elements of art. One example is the placement of a large shape next to smaller shapes

An angular geometric shape can be contrasted by rounded, free form shapes. A bright color will dominate a low-intensity color as will a light value surrounded by a dark value.

a method of emphasizing that places a specific part in an artwork alone. This draws attention to the isolated object.

another method used to create a focal point for emphasis. Just as artists use movement to direct a viewer's eye, location of objects or focal points also directs the viewer's eye.

the size relationship between components in a work of art. Artists create emphasis by drastically altering the size of objects or elements.

Convergence means to come together. When any of the elements of art appear to point to one area or item, it creates a focal point by convergence.

with a very obvious linear arrangement or by the use of a subtle arrangement of elements.