Principles of Design: Emphasis

Emphasis: Artists often use emphasis to make certain that the viewer's eye is brought to a particular part of the composition.

Often, this one point of emphasis is the unifying influence in an artwork, providing a center of interest without which the work would seem incomplete.

Emphasis can be created in a variety of ways, such as placing an object at the center of the compositon, or making it larger, lighter or darker than surrounding objects. Color and contrast are most often used to create a point of emphasis. While there are some exceptions, the area of emphasis is usual centrally located, becoming the center of attention.

In the painting by New Mexico artist Ethelinda (right), the artist uses a bright splash of red in the tailwrap, to attract the viewer's attention. The contrast created by the black and white areas of the canvas, and the unexpected brightly colored tailwrap create a dramatic effect. Without this area of emphasis, the artwork would not be as visually exciting.

 

The Letter, by Mary Cassatt, Corcoran Gallery of Art

 

Another good example of emphasis created with color and contrast can be seen in Mary Cassatt's colored print, The Letter.

Cassatt draws the viewer's attention to the letter by surrounding it with an area of bright flat blue. No other area in the painting is without texture, or pattern...making the letter stand out, as planned.

 

 

Aaron Douglas, Into Bondage, American artist, 1936

This painting by African American artist Aaron Douglas creates emphasis in two ways: First, the central figure,and secondly, the singular beam of yellow light that brings the viewer's eye to the face of the slave.

Try to imagine this image WITHOUT that one beam of light!

 

 

 

 

JOURNAL ASSIGNMENT:
Due: Monday, Nov. 2, 2009
CRITIQUE DATE: Wed., Nov. 4, 2009
(Note: Please bring your journal for a check on Monday or Tuesday, prior to grading.

Your Assignment: Create a page in your journal that employs the principle of emphasis, created with color and contrast.

SUGGESTIONS: Remember that the areas of emphasis should be near the center of the composition, AND be relevant to your subject. It should NOT just be a patch of color "stuck" somewhere....The very idea of an area of emphasis is to bring the viewers eye and attention to the subject, or meaning of the work.

Remember that the BEST artworks can be "read" at several levels. On a first reading, just the overall composition, colors, lines, etc. On a second reading, a deeper, possibly suprise or hidden meaning should emerge. Something unexpected that the viewer can relate to.

Your journal page should reflect your concentration, but other subjects will be acceptable if you have a thought for a good composition.

Be sure that you give careful consideration to your composition and handling of color. Create an area of emphasis with color and contrast that works to create a focal point or area of emphasis. This is most often near the center of the page. Remember that your color must be isolated, and in many instances the only area of that color, in order to be effective! Be sure that the area does not look "stuck on" or out of place. It should provide that "wow" factor for the page.

Your journal page should include all required elements for full credit: meaningful text, properly used collage, layering of information and images, and be richly and fully colorized. DO NOT use colored/construction paper to create areas of color.

Remember that at this level, your journal should reflect thought, planning and careful execution (if you are looking for an A or B).Your journal should look as if it took planning, preparation and execution of at least 1.5 hours in order to earn maximum credit. Remember that this is the second nine weeks, and your journal should show a growth, both in skills and concepts!

Please note the links to sources beneath artworks above!