BALANCE 
The Second Principle of Art
BALANCE= the distribution of weight.
 Balance in art refers to the sense of 
distribution of perceived visual weights 
that offset one another. We feel more 
comfortable--and therefore find it more 
pleasing--when the parts of an artwork 
seem to balance each other. Imbalance 
gives us an unsettled feeling, and that is 
something that for most artists is not the 
desired effect. Some artists, however, 
deliberately disturb our sense of balance.
BALANCE 
 Balance is defined as “rest or 
response.” the restful effect can be 
obtained by arranging the objects 
with different colors and shapes that 
have equal attraction on each side of 
the center. Balance is equalizing visual 
forces, or elements, in a work of art. 
If a work has visual balance, the 
viewer feels that the elements have 
been arranged in a satisfying way.
Balance can occur with all elements of design: 
 Line 
 Shape 
 Space 
 Form 
 Value 
 Color 
 Texture
1. Symmetrical (formal balance) 
2. Asymmetrical (informal balance) 
3. Radial Balance
Other terms for 
symmetrical 
balance are formal 
balance or 
classical balance.
is when elements on both sides of a 
central line appear to be about equal. 
The objects of the two sides have the 
same attraction. This kind of balance 
gives sense of dignity and precision.
Symmetrical Balance 
The Last Supper (Leonardo da Vinci (1495)
Symmetrical Balance 
Diego Rivera, Flower Day, 
1925 
Egyptian Antique
Symmetrical Balance 
United States Capitol Washington D.C. 
begun 1792, completed 1830
 Asymmetrical balance is when art 
elements appear to be different on both 
sides of a central line. The objects do not 
attract same attention. This kind of 
balance affords a greater opportunity for 
variety in arrangement.
Asymmetrical 
balance has sides 
that are different, 
but are still in visual 
balance. 
A large flower shape is 
balanced by smaller leaves.
Asymmetrical Balance 
A large shape 
placed near the 
middle of a work 
of art can be 
balanced by 
smaller shapes 
placed toward 
the outer edge.
Asymmetrical Balance 
The smaller 
diamond is more 
interesting and 
therefore has 
more visual 
weight and 
balances the 
entire work of art.
Asymmetrical Balance 
Frida Kahlo, Frida and Diego 
Rivera, 1931 Bernini, David, 1623
Asymmetrical Balance 
Hiroshige View of Mount Fuji from Harajuku, part of the Fifty-three Stations of the 
Tōkaidō series
Radial balance 
happens when all 
the elements 
radiate out a central 
point.
Radial balance 
happens when 
all the 
elements 
radiate out a 
central point.
Radial Balance 
MC Escher
The kind of balance used in any arrangement of 
furniture and decorative objects help an 
individual quality to a group. 
 Formal arrangements give a feeling of formality 
where there is more intimacy in an formal in an 
informal arrangement. 
 In working for balance arrangement, one should 
test both sides of the arrangement to see that one 
side from the center does not present greater 
attraction to the eye than the other side.
REVIEW
What kind of balance is illustrated in this 
painting Oriental Poppies, by Georgia O’Keefe?
If you said symmetrical balance, you are correct! 
If you could visually divide the paper in half. There would be a poppy on both 
sides. No one side dominates the pictures. 
Neither poppy appears to be more important than the other.
What type of balance is shown in this painting, Arrangement in 
Grey and Black: Portrait of the Painter's Mother (commonly 
known as Whistler’s Mother), by James Whistler?
If you said, asymmetrical balance, you were right! The 
large form of the woman is "visually equal" to the black 
curtain and white painting on the wall. This makes the 
painting appear balanced.
What type of balance is shown in this stained 
glass artwork, Rose Window?
Radial Balance! Look at the spiral or spinning effect of 
the pattern. The axis is the center point and the design 
or pattern appears to "radiate" from that point.
-END-THANK 
YOU FOR LISTENING!

Balance in Art

  • 1.
    BALANCE The SecondPrinciple of Art
  • 2.
  • 3.
     Balance inart refers to the sense of distribution of perceived visual weights that offset one another. We feel more comfortable--and therefore find it more pleasing--when the parts of an artwork seem to balance each other. Imbalance gives us an unsettled feeling, and that is something that for most artists is not the desired effect. Some artists, however, deliberately disturb our sense of balance.
  • 4.
    BALANCE  Balanceis defined as “rest or response.” the restful effect can be obtained by arranging the objects with different colors and shapes that have equal attraction on each side of the center. Balance is equalizing visual forces, or elements, in a work of art. If a work has visual balance, the viewer feels that the elements have been arranged in a satisfying way.
  • 5.
    Balance can occurwith all elements of design:  Line  Shape  Space  Form  Value  Color  Texture
  • 6.
    1. Symmetrical (formalbalance) 2. Asymmetrical (informal balance) 3. Radial Balance
  • 7.
    Other terms for symmetrical balance are formal balance or classical balance.
  • 8.
    is when elementson both sides of a central line appear to be about equal. The objects of the two sides have the same attraction. This kind of balance gives sense of dignity and precision.
  • 9.
    Symmetrical Balance TheLast Supper (Leonardo da Vinci (1495)
  • 10.
    Symmetrical Balance DiegoRivera, Flower Day, 1925 Egyptian Antique
  • 11.
    Symmetrical Balance UnitedStates Capitol Washington D.C. begun 1792, completed 1830
  • 12.
     Asymmetrical balanceis when art elements appear to be different on both sides of a central line. The objects do not attract same attention. This kind of balance affords a greater opportunity for variety in arrangement.
  • 13.
    Asymmetrical balance hassides that are different, but are still in visual balance. A large flower shape is balanced by smaller leaves.
  • 14.
    Asymmetrical Balance Alarge shape placed near the middle of a work of art can be balanced by smaller shapes placed toward the outer edge.
  • 15.
    Asymmetrical Balance Thesmaller diamond is more interesting and therefore has more visual weight and balances the entire work of art.
  • 16.
    Asymmetrical Balance FridaKahlo, Frida and Diego Rivera, 1931 Bernini, David, 1623
  • 17.
    Asymmetrical Balance HiroshigeView of Mount Fuji from Harajuku, part of the Fifty-three Stations of the Tōkaidō series
  • 18.
    Radial balance happenswhen all the elements radiate out a central point.
  • 19.
    Radial balance happenswhen all the elements radiate out a central point.
  • 20.
  • 21.
    The kind ofbalance used in any arrangement of furniture and decorative objects help an individual quality to a group.  Formal arrangements give a feeling of formality where there is more intimacy in an formal in an informal arrangement.  In working for balance arrangement, one should test both sides of the arrangement to see that one side from the center does not present greater attraction to the eye than the other side.
  • 22.
  • 23.
    What kind ofbalance is illustrated in this painting Oriental Poppies, by Georgia O’Keefe?
  • 24.
    If you saidsymmetrical balance, you are correct! If you could visually divide the paper in half. There would be a poppy on both sides. No one side dominates the pictures. Neither poppy appears to be more important than the other.
  • 25.
    What type ofbalance is shown in this painting, Arrangement in Grey and Black: Portrait of the Painter's Mother (commonly known as Whistler’s Mother), by James Whistler?
  • 26.
    If you said,asymmetrical balance, you were right! The large form of the woman is "visually equal" to the black curtain and white painting on the wall. This makes the painting appear balanced.
  • 27.
    What type ofbalance is shown in this stained glass artwork, Rose Window?
  • 28.
    Radial Balance! Lookat the spiral or spinning effect of the pattern. The axis is the center point and the design or pattern appears to "radiate" from that point.
  • 29.