1.3.5: Contrast
- Page ID
- 256476
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by Jon McCallum
Contrast is a Principle of Design that regards the degree of difference between particular aspects of an artwork. Contrast is more than just a difference between dark and light (value) — a concept familiar to many people. Contrasts can appear with any of the Elements of Art. For example, several straight, thin lines contrasting one thick and curvy lines. In this basic example, three contrasts are occurring — a contrast of number (several vs one), a contrast of weight (thin vs thick), and a contrast of quality (straight vs curvy)... and all of this using only one element — line.
In the following photograph by Walker Evans, we can discover many interesting contrasts:
- the round circles of the bicycle (as shapes or lines) vs the angular configuration of the railing (as lines or shapes)
- the many value contrasts of white things, such as the lettering or light on the roofing or ground, versus the walls of darker grays and black
- the rough, gridded texture of the wall made up of bricks versus the smoother surfaces of the doors made up of long, straight boards
- the directional force of the vertical post extending to the top of the composition versus the horizontal lines created by the bright rooftops and walkway
- and so on.
Walker Evans, Shoeshine Stand, Southeastern U.S., black and white photograph, 8 x 10 inches, 1936, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain.
Now let's observe some ways that contrast adds interest to this painting by Mary Cassatt:
- there are at least four distinctly different patterns appearing (note the wallpaper, the dresser, the rug, the dress) — each one contrasts the others in terms of color and style
- the many patterns contrast the few non-patterned areas, especially the smooth, natural skin tones of the child and caretaker, and this helps to add emphasis to the child and caretaker due to this difference
- similar to the previous observation, a contrast of value is evident large areas of the image being relatively dark in relation to the brightness appearing on the figures, especially the skin, the white cloth, and the white lines of the dress
- the directional forces of the caretaker's dress and the positioning of her body, going diagonally from top-left to bottom-right, contrasts the opposite diagonal of the child angled from the top-right towards the bottom-left.
Mary Cassatt, The Child's Bath, oil on canvas, 1893, 100 x 66 cm, Wikipedia Commons. Public domain.
When you are observing a work of art, try going down the list of Elements and asking yourself how one or more contrasts may be occurring with each element (assuming that element is present in the given work). For example: "Line — What is going on in this artwork regarding line? What qualities or nuances of the line are the same throughout the work? (The answer for this also supports the Unity part of the Principle of Unity and Variety.) Where does the nature of line differ in the artwork and how does it differ? (The answer here also supports the Variety part of the Principle of Unity and Variety.) You could then explore the next Element on the list for Contrast, and so on and so on.
Special Note: In the previous paragraph, notice how the Principles are overlapping. Contrast connects to the Variety part of Unity and Variety, and, as we noted in a previous section, Contrast can also be a part of the Principle of Emphasis and Subordination. A contrast in size may also be a part of the Principle of Scale and Proportion. This intermingling of qualities is part of what makes art so fascinating.
Content on this page was written by Jon McCallum, 2024.