►Darker values carry more weight than lighter ones - Example
Notice how the dark trees on each side balance that large light space in the center.
►Stronger contrasts carry more weight - Example
Notice how the strong the value contrast is between the man rowing and his surroundings is balanced by the closer contrasts elsewhere in the painting.
(Click on the image to make it larger) Notice the size of the woman and the vast space as compared with the sizes of the buildings.
►Isolated images carry more weight- Example
Notice how the isolation of the single lamp post balances the huge building.
►Sharp edges carry more weight than blended edges- Example
Let your eye move around the painting and notice how many falling water edges are softer than the slightly sharper edges of the rocks and trees.
►The direction an image is turned gives it weight in that direction- Example
(Click on image to increase size) Notice how the three band members turning towards the right are balanced by the fourth one and the smaller fellow in the rear, each facing the viewer.
►Large spaces carry more weight than small spaces-
Example
(Click on image for larger view.) Notice how little space is occupied by the boats compared to the vast space occupied by the sea and sky.
Notice how the feeling of distance balances the weight of the boulders.
►A diagonal causes weight towards its downward turn- Example
Notice how the downward diagonal movement of the cliffs' edges counter one another.
►Rough textures carries more weight than smooth ones- Example
Notice how the rougher textures of the brushstrokes are balanced by the smoother ones.
►Images going off an edge carry more weight- Example
Notice how the dark door going off the left edge balances the isolation of the woman and strong directional pull of the gun.
►A value gradation is heavier on the darker side and becomes lighter in weight in the direction in which it gradates- Example
(Click on the image to make it larger.) Notice how the slight dark-to-light gradation from right to left balances the movement of the fence from left to right.
►Verticals stabilize balance- Example
Notice how the vertical figure facing the viewer stabilizes the strong diagonal movement of the group on the left.
►Horizontals stabilize balance- Example
Notice how the overall horizontal placement balances the directional movement of the road, fence and limbs of the trees.
Note: Remember: The closer to the edge, the more weight any of these carries. The closer to the axis, the less the weight.
Note: Most times more than one characteristics will be working at the same time.
