Definition Of Emphasis In Art

Emphasis In Art is a principle within art where the artist will give prominence to an object, subject, or idea within the artwork. This quality can be seen as the main theme or protagonist within the art content.

Most often this emphasis will be placed upon an object of some kind, yet it is not limited to this role as this is its most basic purpose.

Within abstract art it can become more subjective by being non objective through emotion or thought.

Within this understanding Emphasis In Art can draw an audience into the protagonist, or it can project emotion and atmosphere bringing unity in art.

This Emphasis through unity is built on the principle of Harmony through the use of elements.

Where Can Emphasis In Art Be Used?

If you are an artist then it is most likely that you already use Emphasis In Art. It is a rather natural principle to be found. How to use it well and convey your message can be a bit more elusive.

Nevertheless you will find that creating art without any emphasis is quite difficult, although not impossible.

Of the traditional visual arts which could achieve this more easily, one would have to look to the Naturalism movement of history.

Naturalism focused on what is much like a modern day photograph. Yet we today know all too well that emphasis can also be placed within photography.

Natural settings are easier to depict as they are within a balance to its own space which prevents emphasis from being weighed heavily on one side or another.

The real question that begs to be answered is not when should Emphasis In Art should be used, but rather how much weight should it posses? It is here we need to look at various options for achieving this goal.

Methods Of Achieving Emphasis In Art

I wish to review some of the most common methods for achieving Emphasis In Art. You will notice that some of these methods use specific elements of art such as color, line, and space in art.

Each of these methods can be used alone or in conjunction with one another to achieve the end goal. Through the process it is important to still maintain the desired balance within the art for your vision within the creation.

Emphasis Through Color

Color is one of the easier ways to obtain emphasis. Often contrasting colors will aid in this creation, or what some have called a “pop” color. The object or protagonist can stand out from its more muted surrounding.

Color selection itself can become a science for many artists. Each color can evoke an emotion or meaning. Because of this, the color selection should involve more than merely the idea of contrast.

The color used in this emphasis should relate to the core theme, idea, belief, or what the protagonist is experiencing within the artwork.

The relationship between colors will aid in building not only the aesthetic value but also its emotional impact.

Additional aspects of color which can impact emphasis are its value, hue, and placement within the scope of its space. Transition colors can aid in creating effects as a highlight, abrupt breaks for high contrast, or smooth transition.

Here a balance can be struck between the concepts of contrast, compliment, emotion, and aesthetics most often within the use of color theory.

Using The Line For Emphasis In Art

A line is the most fundamental element within art. Without it art does not exist. In order to create emphasis within art using the line is a natural and required evolution.

Broader or bolder lines will naturally place more emphasis on the object or subject matter. In turn thinner or more subdued lines will cause other elements to fade into the background or negative spaces.

Balance between supporting elements and the main object of focus should be found. This is desired as to draw attention or focus to the subject in art rather than the line which created it.

With this the line should appear natural. If exaggerated merely for the purpose of emphasis, the attention within the art will be pulled away from its intended purpose.

Using Space For Emphasis In Art

The use of space within art is always a critical element. How much of the canvas becomes positive space can obviously impact how much emphasis within the artwork an object has.

Nevertheless, by using older concepts such as the golden ratio (educational pdf) and other fundamental geometrical rules within art can aid this endeavor.

How theses concepts aid you is by allowing a proper balance within the negative and positive space.

It is within the negative space that much of the story telling behind the protagonist will take place. Art is a snapshot much like an image. The elements which surround the subject must have their space to play their role.

In some cases a distortion of space can be used for the purpose of emphasis in art. It is recommended that this not become the standard for your art, but it is an option for some pieces.

An example of distortion in space can be like a zoomed in camera lens. Alternatively it can also be a representation with broken geometry.

The reason why these ideas are not advisable is due to creating confusion with an audience, poor aesthetics, and even discomfort or unease with some concepts.

Shape And Form Within Emphasis Of Art

Shape and form are defined by the line. This relationship builds upon earlier concepts concerning the line.

It is important to note that within a pure meaning, most often shape relates to two dimensional art such as painting. Form will most often relate to three dimensional art such as sculptures.

Each of these can be given emphasis within art by the use of all previous elements given above. The scope of how those elements are used will directly impact the overall impact and scope of the shape and form.

To alter one element is to also alter the sum of the whole. When shape and form are discussed, if adjustment or altering the art is required then one must focus on which element will yield the desired result.

The outcome of each should allow for proper proportion and balance within the artwork. Attention should be drawn to the desired emphasis without effort or visual signposts.

Movement within the art can be used to achieve this natural draw or flow towards the intended emphasis. This may become necessary when many other elements are present within the artwork.

Creating Movement For Emphasis Within Art

Van Gogh was a natural for using movement within his works. Monet as well would be another great artist who could perform this feat.

Creating movement is more than merely creating a directional flow within the artwork. The key behind its purpose is to draw an audience towards the emphasis.

An artist who performs this well could place the emphasis of the art within the negative space as movement pointed to the object. Think of this as the protagonist walking into the sunset.

Romantic qualities can be had with these kinds of methods. This skill is a way to direct your audience in a subtle way without the “signpost”.

There are many ways to achieve this. Van Gogh was famous for his use of the line. Alternatively this can be achieved by pure geometry within the artwork. Placement of elements and objects can certainly matter.

Relationships Matter When Placing Emphasis Within Art

The relationships between elements, geometry, objects and their shape, the use of space, all matter when seeking to achieve emphasis within art. With this an artists initial vision of what the art is to be must be clear and defined.

This clarity of definition begins by knowing the message which you wish to deliver within the work. If this is a Naturalist work of art then this vision becomes predefined by what is already present.

A lot can be learned from the Impressionist Art of the mid 1800’s to how Emphasis was given to what would be rather ordinary settings. It definitely is worth the time to study.

If what you seek is to tell a story within the art then you must be able to create a composition which delivers that story.

Creating Emphasis In Art For Abstract Works

Abstract art can be more challenging when one is attempting to create emphasis. This becomes more evident when the goal is to remain purely nonrepresentational.

What tools are at the artists disposal if one seeks to create emphasis? In order to answer this we must know what concepts are most able to be used for artistic communication through abstract art.

These concepts are most often mood and emotion. What can be little known is that the best use of emphasis within abstract works is for projection.

Abstraction can still hold representational qualities while what surround the object can be subjective. In this case the art can still be treated a little more like representational art when using emphasis.

The elements which you possess to communicate this emphasis may be more limited, nevertheless scope and focus will be placed more towards this single object.

Within nonrepresentational art emphasis is created more by color, movement, and use of space. Therefore it is capable of communicating basic ideas such as mood and emotion.

The fundamental elements of art still exist within abstraction. Yet they are often broken in a traditional way for what is uncommon. An example of this is the lack of shape, form, or geometry to the canvas.

Emphasis Within Art For Aesthetics And Atmosphere

While the artist may be limited to general concepts and ideas, the ability to draw emphasis across the art is still present. This is more easily achieved across a series of works.

When abstract works are seen as an image that relates to the next image, greater contrast can be given or inferred to a broad meaning. Alternatively there is one aspect where abstraction excels.

Building aesthetics and flow within these works can ultimately define an interior space. Few other arts can achieve this as eloquently as abstract art.

The interesting thing about this phenomena is the emphasis in art becomes more than the art itself. The emphasis is placed upon the space, room, or wall wherein the art resides.

In this way a two dimensional work of art is able to bring emphasis to a three dimensional space. Certainly other arts can achieve this. Yet no other can be created for the express purpose of achieving this goal.

Within Form we can look to mobile or kinetic art. Here a three dimensional art form, whether crafted or sculpted, works to fill a void of space to create emphasis within the atmosphere of the room.

Projecting Emphasis In Art As Compared To Drawing Emphasis

With my above examples one can see how representational art focuses on drawing emphasis to an object within art. This is for storytelling or conveying a message about the art.

Likewise abstract pieces have the ability to project emphasis by feel, emotion, and atmosphere to a space. This in turn can alter how we interact within our environment.

As artists we have the ability to achieve either of these goals. In these ways our vision, emotion, and message becomes a part of someones life.

Reaching the next level in using each of these requires us to consider how our art is used within a three dimensional space. If we wish to project emphasis some traditional ideas may need to be broken.

Emphasis As A Verb

Emphasis In Art is a very simple concept, yet it is not always easy. Every action we make on a canvas will impact emphasis. It is for this reason our vision and scope of the artwork must be well planned.

Your art may require multiple concept works in order to build the idea of your final piece within your mind. Experimentation with elements to find what best achieves your vision can be needed such as color and space.

We must think of emphasis as an action verb not a noun. In other words it is not a destination or object.

In this way the tool of emphasis often is a concept called Juxtaposition. The elements which support it are in motion, pointing, and sharing the story.

If emphasis is a destination then it becomes the object. This is not the goal. The protagonist is not the story but rather the subject of the story. Therefore it should never be the emphasis.

While each element, object, and part of a composition contributes in some way to this emphasis, it is the sum of the whole which creates the artwork. This is what provokes emotion, thought, and depth to the art.

Our goal should always be to impact these non material aspect of our mind and heart. Art should be felt and experienced rather than be a mere representation of a moment in time.