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Art Tip: The Design Principle
Dominance
I am interested in the design principle DOMINANCE. It seems to
me, if an element within a painting holds a dominant position, the
painting will hold together as a unit. Lack of dominance creates confusion as in the first color example. Both colors are equal in intensity
& equal in quantity. A work with equal amounts of a pair of colors &
equal intensity in their hue would be confusing. The artist’s intention
would not be clear.
Example #2
Shows equal amounts of a pair of colors with an exception.
There is some variation of color inside the design.
Example #3
Shows equal saturation & unequal quantity.
With the large quantity of dark surrounding a little light, the light shows a luminous quality (light coming out of the painting).
Example #4
Shows darks surrounded by a semi-neutral light.
One of the darks is fully saturated; 2 are semi-neutral. The saturated color shouts from the painting’s surface; the neutrals are more
subtle.
Example #5
Shows lights surrounded by a semi-neutral dark.
Two of the lights are saturated, but different in size. One is semi-neutral &
shows less importance than the two spots of light. The two spots of light
show movement within the composition.
Try these exercises with other complementary pairs.
Try various complementary mixes with your personal color wheel to make
beautiful grays & semi-neutrals.
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