Visual Balance

Visual balance is the overall visual weight in a work of art. Visual balance can be created through size, shape, color, texture, and value.   Formal (symmetrical balance) and informal balance (A symmetrical balance) are forms of visual balance. The last kind of balance is radial; radial originates from the center of a composition.   Symmetrical balance is balancing equal forces around a central point.   On the other hand, A symmetrical balance which is when the weights of dissimilar areas counter balance each other.   Although informal balance looks more casual than formal balance, an artist must spend great time make sure that the layout is still balanced. Visual balance is one of the principles that bring artwork together.
Balance through use of shapes and size can be a large flat area balance by small irregular use of shapes. Shapes and sizes create visual balance by having a larger uncluttered area by balancing it with a small busy area filled with different shapes. Shapes can also be used to show visual balance by making all the shapes the same throughout the piece. In “Chest for clothes and jewelry” by the Haida people of Queen Charlotte Island. They use geometrical animals on the chest so that if the chest were to be cut in the center the two sides would be mirror images of one another. This is an example of formal balance.   Shapes and sizes are a great and easy way to use visual weight.
An artist may use color to balance their work because the eye is more attracted to a bright vibrant color rather than a dull neutral color. In Sol Lewitt’s wall drawing called “Whirls and Twirls”, he uses a very neutral base of tan along the floors, the ceiling, and also the three dimensional figure in the middle; but then uses bright vivid colors that whirls and twirls throughout the walls of the room. This is an example of informal balance. Lewitt uses neutral colors on the floor and on the ceiling, but then uses bright warm colors on the walls of the drawing. Bright colors...