A 3. AXIAL SYMMETRY

The axis can be in any angle away from center, and 1 segment is usually reversed on the other end. Aha! You say....one here is not an exact repetition! Right! It is axial in balance, but not in exact symmetry. See what happens when individuals go creative with "rules"?

We have Left: tempera painted, Center: Stitched construction paper, and Right: sponged water color and ink. I love it when they mix 'em up...

B. ASYMMETRICAL SYMMETRY

  Perhaps this is the most common, ordinary, most used balance of all. It is also called "Approximate" symmetry as well, where the purpose is to organize composition elements equally within the total format area. There can be emphasis of shape, color, texture, etc., with weight applied carefully for visual balance.

  In this example, light contrasts dark reds, yellow water color is applied axially, and the darker upper background is balanced by the white bottom area and white cord.

  In both these examples, the background is simply support for the forms that are arranged within it. Both show emphasis in a non-central manner. The left image suggests axial movement and the narrow painted single line wraps and flows around the directional shapes. The wrinkley, bold sun offsets the repetitious trees. Large and small hills contrast and equalize each others' importance.

Even though the major emphasis was placed on the relative differences in the balance methods studied, all aspects of color, texture, line design, materials, background and foreground were always considerations to be effected in each demonstration.

  A rather unusual form of balance ends this topic. You might say its a kind of, hm-m--, well in another definition, "psychic"! Come see!