Drawing Practice: Principles of 2D Design

A piece of artwork can be broken up into four separate components; the subject of the artwork, the form/visual organization of the image, the meaning of the content depicted and the context in which the piece is depicted. The way in which we approach each of these determines how successful we are in producing a work of art. One of the most important component in creating effective art is the form which the artwork takes and the elements which make up the principles of design.

The Form of an artwork can be broken down into 7 separate elements...

Line: There are several ways in which Line can be considered, linearly with marks made by a pen or pencil which is good for technical precision drawing and non-linearly more loose forms of media such as paint/ink brushes.

Shape: A defined area of geometry, often defined by the line. It is important to take into account that all shapes create an area of negative space.

Direction: The direction of the line has an effect on the semiotics of the overall artwork. Horizontal lines suggest stability while Verticality suggests balance and formality. Oblique, diagonal lines can be used to suggest movement and action.

Size: The relationship of one area of shape in relation to another.

Texture: The surface quality of a shape, visual or tactile.

Colour: The Hue.

Value: The lightness or luminosity of a colour.

...and these design principles...

Balance/Contrast: The balance of an image relies on finding a state of equilibrium between two contrasting states. (Light and Dark, Symmetry and Asymmetry etc... ) According to John Lovett, 'balance in design is similar to balance in physics.'

Repetition/Rhythm: A repeating visual element (Line, Shape, Direction, Size, Texture, Colour, Value) such as a pattern that serves as a model for visual imitation.

Focus/Emphasis/Dominance: the centre of visual importance within a composition. There are several ways in which an artist can draw a viewer's eye to a particular aspect of the scene, for example the 'rule of thirds', the process of dividing up the frame into a 3x3 grid, creating points of emphasis.

Scale/Proportion: The overall size of an object in relation to others.

Depth: overlapping forms, changes in scale, perspectives which suggest depth in the image.