Principles of Art

Principles of Art 

(The Arrangement of the Building Blocks of Art) 

Pattern

The repetition or re occurrence of a design element

Rhythm or Movement
Refers to the suggestion of movement through the use of different elements in the art



Proportion
Proportion is the size relationship of parts to a whole and to one another.



Balance
Balance can be symmetrical, where elements are given even "weight" on either side of the art. (Mirror images - they may not be the exact same image, but they are similar in terms of number, colour, shapes etc.)

or...

Asymmetrical: balance occurs when elements are placed unevenly in a piece, but work together to produce harmony overall. (several small images on one side of the page and one large image on the other side, or one dark item balanced by several light images)

and...
 Radical symmetry: when parts of an image radiate from the center

Unity

Unity is achieved when the components of a work of art are perceived as harmonious, giving the work a sense of completion.
 

Emphasis

Emphasis refers to the created center of interest, the place in an artwork where your eye first lands.

http://www.projectarticulate.org/principles.php