In two-dimensional art, the center of the work serves as the fulcrum (the visual center). Likewise, a smaller element can balance out a larger one if the smaller one is farther from the center and the larger one nearer. Like a seesaw, when two elements of an artwork have the same visual weight and are on opposite sides of the center, equally distant from it, they balance. The concept of visual balance is often illustrated using a seesaw. Some types of balance are symmetric, asymmetric, and radial. A balanced piece of work will have art elements arranged such that different areas draw the viewer's eye around or through the whole piece. If all the visually interesting elements of a work are centered in one spot, the work is off-balance and the viewer's gaze will be stuck in one place, ignoring the rest of the piece.

The distribution of interest or visual weight in a work. At the same time, they can unite and tie elements together. Lines divide the space and volume they are in. Lines can loop closed around a shape and have no end-points (outline), or at the ends they can be flared, frayed, splayed, rounded, tapered, or cut off at any angle. More confident lines left to build up as the artist attempts to capture her subject can display character, process of investigation, and interest. Lines that are sketchy and unsure express uncertainty and weakness, and are generally less pleasing. They swoop, slash, scar, skip, skid, stutter, sing, whisper, drip, bleed, splash across the surface.

Lines can remain a constant thickness (descriptive, analytical, objective, showing little of the action used to create them) or vary in thickness along their length (flowing, calligraphic, lyrical, showing emphasis and something of the gesture used to make them).Įxpressive, gestural lines shout the force, speed and emotion put into their making. Lines can be hard, sharp, straight, geometric they can be organic, smooth, soft, flowing, loopy, wavy.

Elements such as

Elements examples