December 2017
Intermediate to advanced
208 pages
3h 39m
English
In looking at an artwork, the eye assigns varying senses of weight to elements within the composition and enjoys a more satisfactory experience when they seem to be balanced.
When elements are dynamic—that is, they feel as though they are in movement—the eye is more satisfied when their strengths and directions balance out within the composition.
The assignment of weight to a particular element can be affected by the following:
• Scale. Larger elements are read as heavier.
• Color. Saturated color is usually read as heavier than unsaturated color.
• Tone. Darker elements generally feel heavier than lighter elements.
• Strength of shape. Angular shapes generally feel heavier than amorphous shapes.
See also Composition • Beauty