Composition

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Vocabulary	Definition
Balance	A way of combining elements to add a feeling of equilibrium or stability to a work of art. Major types are symmetrical and asymmetrical.
Color	Color in sculpture is the tone of gradation. The speed of the gradation. IE how do you sculpt blue eyes? Make them shallower. How do you sculpt brown eyes, make them deeper. Intensity: quality of brightness and purity (high intensity= color is strong and bright; low intensity= color is faint and dull)
Emphasis (contrast)	A way of combining elements to stress the differences between those elements.
Form	An element of art that is three-dimensional and encloses volume; includes height, width AND depth (as in a cube, a sphere, a pyramid, or a cylinder). Form may also be free flowing.
Gradation	A way of combining elements by using a series of gradual changes in those elements. (large shapes to small shapes, dark hue to light hue, etc)
Harmony	A way of combining similar elements in an artwork to accent their similarities (achieved through use of repetitions and subtle gradual changes)
Line	An element of art defined by a point moving in space. Line may be two-or three-dimensional, descriptive, implied, or abstract.
Movement	A principle of design used to create the look and feeling of action and to guide the viewerâ€™s eye throughout the work of art.
Proportion	A principle of design that refers to the relationship of certain elements to the whole and to each other.
Rhythm	A principle of design that indicates movement, created by the careful placement of repeated elements in a work of art to cause a visual tempo or beat.
Shape	An element of art that is two-dimensional, flat, or limited to height and width.
Space	An element of art by which positive and negative areas are defined or a sense of depth achieved in a work of art .
Texture	An element of art that refers to the way things feel, or look as if they might feel if touched.
Value	The lightness or darkness of tones or colors. White is the lightest value; black is the darkest. The value halfway between these extremes is called middle gray.
Variety	A principle of design concerned with diversity or contrast. Variety is achieved by using different shapes, sizes, and/or colors in a work of art.

The nature of something's ingredients or constituents; the way in which a whole or mixture is made up.

Subject Matter, or the utility of thought. A lesson or allegory leading to the architecture of characters and devices employed.

The structure of the composition, using creating frameworks for symmetry.

Organizing and arranging the elements to find a harmonic whole.

To begin a composition at its most elemental stage needs to have only one dominant line or direction of lines.

Armature of the Rectangle
Lines of Coincidence
Cartesian Grid
Notional Space
Sculptural Design
Points of Coincidence
Divine Proportion
Line
Serpentinata

Any Rectangle that has a diagonal will share the same proportions.

The shorter line will divide into the longer the same number of times.