Symmetrical Balance
Symmetrical balance refers to balance that is achieved by arranging elements on either side of the centre of a composition in an equally weighted manner. Symmetrical balance can be thought of as 50/50 balance or like a mirror image. In other words, the image would look the same on either side of the centre.
Artist Examples:
Tigran Tsitoghdzyan
Noticed the symmetry being used? What do you think this artwork could mean?
Noticed the symmetry being used? What do you think this artwork could mean?
Shepard Fairey
Symmetry can be used to make bold statements such as this propaganda styled poster. The symmetry and bold colours bring a sene of authority and power. This piece is ironic as this was a style often used by war posters that were biased and trying to win people over to fight for a side and yet the words in this artwork are about peace.
Symmetry can be used to make bold statements such as this propaganda styled poster. The symmetry and bold colours bring a sene of authority and power. This piece is ironic as this was a style often used by war posters that were biased and trying to win people over to fight for a side and yet the words in this artwork are about peace.
Iain MacArthur
Notice the different visual weights being used.
Notice the different visual weights being used.
Your Task:
Create a drawing that displays symmetrical balance by drawing an insect such as a butterfly, beetle, bee, etc.
You can draw 1/2 the image and then flip and trace to complete the image.
Once you have an outline, add sections of obvious heavy visual weight vs areas of obvious light visual weight. This can be done through colour, texture, positioning, shading, details, etc.
Create a drawing that displays symmetrical balance by drawing an insect such as a butterfly, beetle, bee, etc.
You can draw 1/2 the image and then flip and trace to complete the image.
Once you have an outline, add sections of obvious heavy visual weight vs areas of obvious light visual weight. This can be done through colour, texture, positioning, shading, details, etc.
Step 1:
Draw an outline focusing on shapes and proportions.
Make sure to get the anatomy correct with the basic parts, head, thorax, abdomen, 6 legs and possibly wings as well.
Find a reference image to help you!
Draw an outline focusing on shapes and proportions.
Make sure to get the anatomy correct with the basic parts, head, thorax, abdomen, 6 legs and possibly wings as well.
Find a reference image to help you!
Step 2:
Flip the outline if needed to trace the second half.
Notice how this is an outline, it has an even visual weight across the whole insect.
Flip the outline if needed to trace the second half.
Notice how this is an outline, it has an even visual weight across the whole insect.
Step 3:
Fill some sections of your insect with heavy visual weight, do not fill everything in! Keep some light visual weight as well.
Remember to keep it symmetrical, what you do on one side, do to the other.
Fill some sections of your insect with heavy visual weight, do not fill everything in! Keep some light visual weight as well.
Remember to keep it symmetrical, what you do on one side, do to the other.