Balance in composition: types and principles

2024 Author: Leah Sherlock | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 05:25

The term "composition" means the combination of certain elements into a single harmonious whole. This concept is used with equal success both in the exact sciences and in the theory of art in general. Balance in composition is one of the two indispensable conditions for its presence. The second is the combination of all the constituent elements of the object into a single form. Since both art and architecture or engineering strive for harmony, seeing in it their main and immutable goal, the fulfillment of these two conditions is the only true construction of the composition.

General theoretical concepts

The science of composition identifies three of its varieties, which in practice are often closely interconnected and complement each other, sometimes giving the most unexpected and multifaceted combinations. The result of this are masterpieces of culture. These include: frontal, volumetric and deep-spatial compositions.

With all the complexity that any painting, structure or other creation that appears as a result of an act of art demonstrates, it must be balanced, which is primarily expressed in the visual stability of the complex of componentsits elements. At the same time, we are not always talking about strict symmetry. The balance in the composition lies in the balance of all the details (as well as the fragments made up of them) relative to the center. At the same time, the need to achieve such stability is obviously dictated by nature itself. This can be proved by the fact that both the animal, the plant and even the inanimate world are characterized by balance in composition. Examples of it are everywhere: maple leaf, snow crystal, clam shell, etc.

The search for harmony in the arrangement of elements is carried out intuitively by a person with artistic thinking. This desire can be traced in the history of world culture for thousands of years. In particular, it is expressed in a craving for symmetry, which proves, for example, the visual balance of masses in the composition of ancient Catholic cathedrals, cross-domed churches of Ancient Russia and, of course, in the ensemble of Egyptian pyramids.

Symmetry and asymmetry

As you know, absolute proportionality does not exist in nature. Also, there is no complete asymmetry in it. However, the fact of the mirror principle of the structure of the absolute majority of living beings (as well as many elements of inanimate nature) indicates that everything in the world strives for proportionality. Human creations also gravitate towards it.

The balance of the masses in the composition is achieved through the correct arrangement of its elements on the plane or relative to the central point. Symmetry is its most contrasting quality. Its mirror type mentioned above is consideredthe most common both in miraculous nature and in art. Its essence is close to equal ratio of parts of the object relative to the vertical or horizontal axis.

Such types of balance composition, as axial and screw symmetry, are formed by rotation around the axis. In the first case, when rotating, various elements can be repeatedly combined. In the second, dynamics is created through various artistic techniques - a spiral movement around a static axis.

However, one should not assume that an artist can achieve harmony in his creation only by strictly following the norms of proportionality. One of the ways to achieve it in the visual arts, architecture, prose and poetry is asymmetry, which is also included in the foundations of composition. Balance in the absence of formal equality of elements allows you to achieve the correct placement and combination of all parts of the object according to their color, tones and mass. We can observe such techniques, for example, in the paintings “Landscape with Polyphemus” by Poussin and “Madonna in the Grotto” by Leonardo da Vinci.

Scale value

The visual balance of the masses in the composition in the complete absence of symmetry is also applicable in architecture. An example of it is St. Andrew's Cathedral, which has disproportionate towers (one of the characteristic features of the Victorian style). Asymmetry is a more complex technique in art and, unlike the mirror method, is read gradually. Being a way of conveying the artist's intention and striving for its most vivid expression,disproportion reveals the dynamic balance in the composition. Demonstrating the balance of different elements of varying degrees of massiveness, it creates the illusion of their movement within common boundaries.

The actual massiveness of objects is read solely by comparing them, and in the process of evaluation, the term "scale" is used. To create a compositionally correct asymmetry, great importance is removed to the smallest details as an effective means of artistic expression. At the same time, using the scale, you can not go away from the proportions, since they are closely related. Because this is the most complex law of balance in the composition.

The principle of proportion is to maintain a constant relationship between two or more quantities. By increasing one to certain limits, the other should be increased by the same number.

Geometry in art

Compliance with the above rule allows you to achieve proportionality and complete harmony of the elements in relation to the parts and the core of the subject. The principle of proportion is a classic among the universal means used by the composition. There are many scientific works on the topic "Balance in graphic art and architecture".

Thus, as an absolute proportion, the so-called golden section was discovered many centuries ago. This term was introduced into wide use by the great genius Leonardo da Vinci. Such a proportion implies balance in the composition, mathematically expressed by the number 1, 62. Graphically, it is transmitted bybuilding a geometrically ideal five-pointed star, each side of which can conditionally be divided into two parts. In this case, the resulting parts correlate with each other in the proportion of the "golden section".

The secret of this proportion, according to scientists, was known many millennia ago. The result of the application of this formula is precisely the balance in composition, examples of which our era has inherited in the form of such grandiose structures as the Parthenon and the Egyptian pyramids. Buildings made according to the same proportions are also found in India and China, in Italy and Greece.

Figures in painting

In search of the most expressive schemes, artists of all centuries reverently handled every significant detail in the plot, creating a composition. The art of most masters of both the Renaissance and early classicism relies on the balance of geometric shapes. So, for example, in the painting “Landscape with Polyphemus” by N. Poussin, two compositional details are large small triangles inscribed one into the other. Whereas the characters of Leonardo da Vinci's painting "Madonna in the Grotto" easily line up in a pyramid, the top of which is the Virgin herself.

To convey a fixed image to the artist, such a technique as a static composition helps, the balance of geometric shapes in which is achieved by stretching all the lines to the core of the image. An example of such a solution is iconography, where the most common arrangement of plot elements in the form of a circle,square or rectangle, and often there is strict symmetry.

Staticity is necessary to convey the state of rest, the closedness of space. Such a composition is necessary in plots that do not involve dynamics. So, in the painting “Portrait of Ksenia Tishinina” by I. Vishnyakova, even the figure of the heroine itself forms a clearly defined regular triangle and is the only element written in bright colors.

Schematic open composition

With the onset of the Renaissance, the very concept of attitude has changed dramatically. The boundaries of human consciousness have increased significantly, which in a completely natural way was reflected in painting, music, literature and architecture. An extremely limited world has expanded to infinite limits, and a closed composition has been replaced by an open one.

Moving towards the comprehension of harmony in each picture, the artist, of course, focuses on purely personal feelings and appeals to his imaginative thinking. And although the very act of creativity cannot be analyzed, most of the techniques used can be read and considered in more detail. In particular, this applies to artistic schemes, thanks to which balance in the composition is achieved. Examples of drawings, the plot of which includes extensive landscapes with a large list of diverse details, make it possible to clearly observe the competent ratio of various parts in a single structure.

The value of details when equilibrium is reached

One of the most illustrative works in this sense arecanvases by Velasquez. So, in his wonderful creation “The Surrender of Breda”, the balance of cloudy and light spots, bright and neutral shades, the combination of massive details and the competent writing of the plan are surprisingly clearly traced.

The main plot element is located exactly in the middle of the canvas. The characters are facing each other. The head of the victor is somewhat higher than the head of the stricken enemy and looks like a bright spot against the dull background of bored soldiers and the greenish distance. The figure of the governor handing over the symbolic key to the fallen city is written on a light background. He is somewhat swarthy, and his face is framed by a snow-white collar. Similar contrasts can be traced throughout the canvas.

One diagonal line is formed by a scarf with which the winner is tied from shoulder to hip, and the other is the banner of the defeated enemy and the lines of the hands of the main characters. The visual sense of the depth of the picture is achieved through a few light strokes - the head of the horse to the left of the governor and the white shirt of the warrior next to it.

"Surrender of Breda" is a canvas demonstrating the basic rules of composition. The balance on it is achieved through the development of several plans, topped with a distant perspective.

Chronotope principle

Equilibrium in the composition can also be achieved by depicting ongoing events in the picture. This technique was used with great success by ancient Russian artists. So, the Novgorod painters of the late Middle Ages created a carved picture in colors, the plot of which was based on the famous battle of the Novgorod army withSuzdal. In this work, a three-tiered composition was used: three independent drawings were made in a row (from top to bottom), each of which showed a separate episode. At the same time, being strictly one above the other, they represent a single picture.

A similar and no less common method of solving compositional issues is the creation of an image based on events that occurred in different places and at different times, but connected by one storyline. Often such a picture is a large canvas with a central episode in the middle and many small fragments located around. As a rule, such works belong to the genre of icon painting or simply to works on religious subjects, the paintings of Hieronymus Bosch can serve as a striking example.

Composition in decorative arts

Ways and methods used to convey artistic intent vary depending on the type of art in which the author works. In this case, of course, similar or even general patterns can be observed. However, each craft is special and specific, and therefore each of the means of building a composition may well be applied in different ways.

A painting should be organic and combine all the elements with maximum naturalness, without imposing an idea. And if the standard picture has as one of its goals the transfer of the illusion of space in its volume and depth, then in the folk pictorialIn art, the master seeks to emphasize the relief and detail, using his own special methods for this. The techniques of decorative art are fundamentally different from the methods of constructing a composition used by a classical artist. For example, since the depicted landscape cannot be shown in its depth, the master places the distant plan directly above the near one. Such methods were also used by ancient Russian icon painters.

It is precisely because of their greater visibility and obviousness that the techniques of masters of arts and crafts and icon painting become the object of study in fine arts lessons in elementary grades. The lesson plan, as a rule, includes the definition of the concepts of "rhythm" and "form" - objects that provide balance in the composition (Grade 2).

Composition techniques

The tasks that each of his works sets for the painter require the only right solutions. This also applies to the techniques that are used in the construction of the composition. The methods used by each individual artist must be original and innovative.

There are many things to consider in order for composition rules to be followed:

• a lot of described items;
• dimensions of each and (based on this) their location on the sheet;
• rhythm of lines and strokes of color;
• a way of conveying the author's point of view;
• methods by which space is described.

It also matters how muchthe silhouettes of the characters are clearly defined, taking into account the set of colors of the whole picture. Composition is a kind of special professional means of the artist, with the help of which he manages to convey his vision of the world around him, his own sensual ideas, associations, impressions, etc. These skills are honed by each master from year to year.

Working on composition

Any artistic image is worked out by its author in advance and for quite a long time. A truly correct construction of the composition obliges the artist to master such skills to perfection. Therefore, the ability to apply the techniques necessary for this should be constantly honed.

In order to maintain the balance of the main elements of the composition on the sheet, you must have real professionalism. Even a simple dot placed on a white surface of paper raises many questions for the artist, because the impression of it will change depending on exactly where it will be located. The same goes for any other object placed on the canvas.

Basic rules and techniques for constructing a composition are the fruit of a vast history of fine art. However, from century to century they are replenished with the rich experience of new generations of artists. The technique of composition changes, develops and always corresponds to the creative position of the masters of each particular generation.

Balance transfer

With pronounced symmetry, the details of a picture or other artistic object are compositionally balanced. As forasymmetric image, then its elements can be located relative to each other both in balance and out of it. To do this, there is a whole list of tricks: an extensive smear of light shades can be balanced by a small dark spot; a series of small spots is counterbalanced by one large one, etc. Thus, different parts of the canvas are balanced depending on their dimensions, weight, tones and other characteristics.

Besides, not only fragments (characters, details of the surrounding space, etc.) should be balanced, but also the space between them. At the same time, the compositional equilibrium should not even be compared with the mathematical equality of quantities. The ability to intuitively feel it is either given by nature, or can be developed over time in the process of tireless work. As for the asymmetric picture, then in it the semantic center is either located at the edge of the image, or is completely absent.

The balance of the composition in any case depends on:

• correct arrangement of massive image details;
• plastics and rhythms of artistic writing;
• proportions in which each fragment of the canvas is written;
• well-chosen tones and colors of the picture.

Construction principles

The balance of the main elements of the composition on the sheet is achieved by strictly following the basic principles of their connection. The first of which (and not the most obvious) is expediency. The fact is that art is like a space in which everything is subject to strict logic, discipline and careful economy.visual and expressive means, requires a clear correspondence between the degree of effort applied to a specific task. Any work should be built concisely and as productively as possible in terms of conveying the idea and intent of the artist.

Composition, in its essence, is a connection of disparate things, which, thanks to their skillful combination, begin to work as productively as possible and, in their mutual dependence, represent something new and common. This speaks of the principle of unity and integrity that every painter must follow. In order to understand whether this law is observed on the canvas, one should mentally remove any part of the composition from the picture. In the event that the plot does not suffer any damage as a result, it can be safely concluded that the principle of integrity is obviously violated. The same can be said about changing the places of parts of the composition and introducing some new elements into the picture.

Achieving Unity and Integrity

In order for all the principles of composition to be observed, the following techniques must be used:

1. Appropriate overlay of objects, allows you to emphasize the plans. In addition, this technique gives a sense of the depth of space and gives the image volume.
2. Compliance with the unity of form and character implies work in the same manner and style. Lines and plastic elements must be combined with each other. Colors must be selected in the same tone and repeated as needed. Same goes for texture.
3. The composition should contain a generalized form, while the pictorial and expressivethe solution of the picture should also be uniform.

In addition, in order to achieve integrity and compositional balance, it is necessary to follow a strict sequence of actions at all stages of creating a work. To begin with, you should carefully consider the plan of the work. Having developed all the structural elements of the composition, it is necessary to determine the degree of correlation of its main parts. To make this possible, they combine the plastic masses of the image, the silhouettes of which can then include details.