As you know, balance can be used to create a focal point and to communicate a mood or feeling for the entire artwork. Symmetrical balance creates a mood of stability and seriousness, while asymmetrical balance makes an artwork feel more dynamic and tense. Look at the following images and decide what type of feeling or effect the balance creates.
An artist needs to match the type of balance to the mood they are trying to communicate. If an artist wants to portray a feeling of excitement but uses symmetrical balance, the viewer will likely come away confused.
Now, what if it seems like an artist is breaking the rules? Let’s be honest. Many artists try to bend and break some of the rules in art, but the majority of the time, artwork will still be subject to these visual laws. Let’s take another look at the artwork below.
Review your aesthetic statement in your sketchbook. Which type of balance seems most interesting to you? Are you drawn to the controlled moods of symmetrical and radial balance or to the tension of asymmetrical balance? Adjust your aesthetic statement to include the types of balance that you enjoy and why.
