Principles of Art

• Emphasis in a composition refers to developing points of interest to pull the viewer's eye to important parts of the body of the work.
  
  
• Balance is a sense of stability in the body of work. Balance can be created by repeating same shapes and by creating a feeling of equal weight.
  
  
• Harmony is achieved in a body of work by using similar elements throughout the work, harmony gives an uncomplicated look to your work.
  
  
• Variety refers to the differences in the work, You can achieve variety by using difference shapes, textures, colors and values in your work.
  
  
• Movement adds excitement to your work by showing action and directing the viewers eye throughout the picture plane.
  
  
• Rhythm is a type of movement in drawing and painting. It is seen in repeating of shapes and colors. Alternating lights and darks also give a sense of rhythm.
  
  
• Proportion or scale refers to the relationships of the size of objects in a body of work. Proportions gives a sense of size seen as a relationship of objects. such as smallness or largeness.
  
  
• Unity is seen in a painting or drawing when all the parts equal a whole. Your work should not appear disjointed or confusing.

Source: http://www.msdsteuben.k12.in.us/jrider/elements_and_principles_of_art.htm