What Is Contrast In Art?
Contrast In Art is a concept that merely requires the arrangement, or juxtaposition, of two opposing elements. It is this arrangement that builds the image, and at times the image could not exist without this contrast.
Not all contrast in art is focused on color. While many who wish to deal with this subject will focus on this element of art, it is only the beginning to its uses.
Gradation can be of great focus when desiring high contrast or subtle shifts in flow. It plays just as critical of a role to the impact of contrast.
Aside from the principles in art which influence Contrast, you can look to Harmony in art as one of the building blocks which support it. It is a unique relationship which drives a part of the composition.
How Is Contrast Within Art Used?
At the most elementary level we can understand contrast through the use of colors and text. The marketing industry has mastered the use of contrasting text to push a sale or grab attention.
While this is quite simplistic, there is something to take away from our elementary understanding. Contrast can create an area of high visibility to draw attention to something.
Understanding contrast can be related to creating emphasis within art. Yet this must be achieved without breaking the unity within art. There is a balance which must be struck within its composition.
Another great aspect with using contrast within art is its ability to create atmosphere and influence. How does this work?
Monochromatic photography is a perfect example. You can call this “drawing with light”.
An image of an object may only be able to be seen due to its contrast against light. The object becomes a shadow or silhouette created by the light.
This kind of contrast creates the image we see. Without it the object may be otherwise ordinary or unimpressive. Here ordinary things become extraordinary in how they are represented.
Contrast can also be used to define boundaries. While high contrast colors can highlight and create emphasis, low contrast or complimenting colors can create foregrounds and backgrounds.
Contrast In Art By Objects
You will find a lot of information online concerning contrast in art which surrounds color. Yet this is not the only place it is to be found, just the easiest.
Contrast by objects is equally as impressive when creating emphasis. Here the shape or form an object takes to fill the space and shift balance is in of itself a contrasting element.
Geometric designs have long been used in conjunction with contrasting color for decorating. When it concerns art though we must reach beyond that idea.
Within art this contrast can draw emphasis towards the subject in a way to emphasize “the what” that is impacting the subject. Here the contrast allows for the objects to become part of the theme and meaning to the art.
With this can also be the use of art symbols to reinforce this idea or theme towards that end. Here we can go beyond the mere object and into its meaning based upon the symbol.
Naturally there will be the obvious components which surround contrasting objects. These are its aspect, scale in art, and its ratio to the rest of the work.
Each of these gravitate towards controlling balance and the use of space within art. It also aids in creating focus and emphasis.
Rhythm And Patterns Create Contrast
When I mention Vincent van Gogh ones mind should instantly click in understanding how rhythm and patterns can create contrast in art. He was famous for his use of the line to create rhythm and contrast.
His work “Starry Night” is a prime example of this. Here color and line become the foundation of the artwork. It not only creates directional flow within the work, but the rhythm is consistent throughout.
Where contrast stands out is within the stars. While it does exist in other places, it is by the use of shape and color that contrast and emphasis is placed within the stars.
Some of the same emphasis is placed within the atmosphere or sky within the art. Here Van Gogh uses this as an opportunity to create flow and feel bringing the sum of the parts together in unity.
When rhythm is used to create contrast it can be just as effective as objects or color. It creates an immediate break in the work drawing attention.
This can allow for a shift in movement to point the audience at an object the artist may wish for them to see. In the case of Van Gogh, it was used to create an experience for the audience. This is part of visual storytelling.
Where Can You Study Contrast For Use In Art?
Nature is without a doubt the best place to study contrast for its use in art. There is no other place which can bring the kind of unity to the sum of its parts as found in nature.
Every aspect of art can be found there. Light, shadow, shape, form, color, and the discovery of ideas or concepts which you never knew existed will be there.
Artists who focused within Naturalism sought this same education and understanding. When one looks at their art you begin to see the power behind subtle contrast.
Despite the programming our modern world has given us within high contrast, it is within subtle contrasts that we see how this should be used.
The Impact Of Subtle Contrast In Art
Subtle contrast in art is something that is almost becoming forgotten within modern art. Why this is I am not sure. Perhaps it is due to the constant bombardment of high contrast marketing our minds become tuned into, or maybe not.
Nevertheless it is important to turn to the Naturalism movement within art to find the answers we need. When we look at their art we discover how full our world is of subtle contrasts.
Their goal was to represent the natural world as closely as possible through their best efforts. Their use of objects, light, and color, are not distorted. Nevertheless these parts can be emphasized.
Drawing attention to a subject does not require the proverbial billboard with the words “look here”. Nature gives us all the visual queue’s we require.
Creating art with contrast is natural. Without contrast the world would be dull and boring. Building contrast in art adds beauty when it appears naturally and within the scope of its boundaries.
How Important Is Contrast In Art?
Without contrast you cannot have art. If you painted a canvas a solid color then the wall you hang it on would allow for some kind of contrast against it.
If the wall were painted the same color then the objects on the wall or within the room would contrast with the art. Here there is still some degree of contrast.
Art will always impact an environment in a three dimensional way. This is especially true within its atmosphere. Thus all art will always have contrast applied to it in some way.
How we create with this contrast is what begins to determine whether or not the art is genuinely aesthetic or beautiful to the eye. Just as in nature, the most beautiful things share a balanced contrast.
It would do well for artists to give some degree of thought to how contrasting elements, colors, and objects impact their work.
Beyond this it would do well for artists to begin to consider how their art will impact the three dimensional space it will reside within. This aspect of art cannot be ignored.
The Four Greatest Elements That Create Contrast
The four greatest elements of art which create contrast are color, light, the line, and shape. It is these four foundations that most contrast is built upon.
This would remain true within a pure monochrome work. The single color would only fill the canvas and thus be within its shape. The line within the art are its outer edges of the canvas. This then in turn becomes its defined boundaries which contain the “art”.
While light is not traditionally considered an “element of art”, it should be one of them. Often it is more associated with color. Yet arts such as photography has changed how this should be seen.
Light with its position and focus impact more than how an object is represented by value or hue. Its focus allows contrast by shadow, depth, and can fill space within the work.
Each of these when used together do more than create contrast. It allows the art to come alive visually in a natural way that we would expect within a real world environment.
In truth these elements are interdependent upon one another to achieve realism in art. It is their arrangement by composition that allows for the emphasis and focus to be achieved which the artist desires.
How Does Juxtaposition Relate To Contrast?
It is through juxtaposition that contrast is achieved by color, line, and shape. Light has impact upon the juxtaposition yet is not directly related to or a part of it.
It is due to juxtaposition that rhythm, pattern, and comparison of objects can be achieved. How this is used within the space will be determined by the chosen composition.
Going back to the root definition of contrast in art, it is the placement of multiple elements side by side which achieves contrast. This is juxtaposition where elements become juxtaposed.
Simple Concept Yet Not Easy To Achieve
Contrast within art is a simple concept yet it is not always easy to achieve. Artists spend many years perfecting its nuances.
At times the definitions we are given to these concepts are overly simplistic. In truth they can have great depth when studied and then applied.
I would dare say that understanding and then successfully using contrast is of more importance than that of compliment. This may not be true, yet it is at least equally important.