◄ Elements of Design ◄ Elements of Design ◄ Elements of Design

Balance is the distribution of the perceived weight.  An artwork can be given a sense of equilibrium by equally distributing individual elements of design on opposite sides of the work.  Balance can be symmetrical, asymmetrical, or radial.  Symmetrical Balance is when the artwork has equally balanced elements on each half divided from the middle.  Asymmetrical Balance is when the two sides of the artwork are different but a sense of balance is still attained.  For example a heavy object on the right may be balanced by several smaller items on the left.  Radial Balance is when the artwork is balanced equally in all directions around a central point. "Blue Crow" is symmetrically balanced.  The crows body is along the middle of the piece with wings on each side.  The wings have equal colouration, form, use of line, texture and values. "Autumn Unicorn" is Asymmetrically balanced.  The large brown tree trunk is balanced by the unicorn, birch tree and and river.  Note how the tree which has its weight in a darker colour and coarser texture is balanced by the white tone and finer detailing in the unicorn and river foam. Radial balance can be seen in this close-up from "Groovy Tree".  The middle of the spiral is centered.  The colours are generally balanced in all directions.

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