The Tyranny of Symmetry
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The Tyranny of Symmetry
Back in the day when I worked as an architect, my business partner Barry often talked about the Tyranny of Symmetry. Symmetry in building design is much like symmetry in designing a painting composition. The former in three dimension, the latter in two. They both share the same visual qualities: they’re stable, they’re static, they’re boring. Asymmetry on the other hand, has visual qualities of energy, movement and interest.
Symmetry in painting design comes about in three basic ways:
Symmetry along the vertical axis, whereby the left and right sides of the composition are equal.
Symmetry along the horizontal axis, whereby the top and bottom of the composition are equal. This is common with amateur painters doing landscape compositions.
Symmetry along the diagonal axis, whereby the 2 triangles created by the diagonal axis are equal.
While symmetrical designs tend to be uninteresting because they are too predictable side to side, or top to bottom, asymmetrical compositions often initiate movement of the viewer’s eye through the piece. Most compositions you see are asymmetrical and do initiate some movement into or out of the picture plane. As artists, this is what we are looking for. We want our paintings to be interesting to the viewer so that they can engage with the work.
On your next painting, be sure to think about your composition and try to inject some asymmetry into it so that it is more visually pleasing for your viewers.
If you'd like to learn about abstract painting and making your own authentic work, then please join me for a painting workshop: (You can view a list of workshops HERE)
January 6, 2021 (Zoom) Interactive Mini-Workshop: Simple Color System, 3 hours. Click Here for Registration and Information
January 13-15, 2021 Murrell's Inlet, SC. Abstracting the Coastal Landscape (NEW) SOLD OUT!
January 20, 2021 (Zoom) Interactive Mini-Workshop: Abstracting the Landscape, 6 hours. Click Here for Registration and Information
January 21, 2021 (Zoom) Interactive Mini-Workshop: Painting with David, 3 hours. Click Here for Registration and Information
February 3-5, 2021 David M. Kessler Fine Art Studio, Winston-Salem, NC Click Here for Information and Registration - Only 3 Seats Left!
February 10, 2021 (Zoom) Interactive Mini-Workshop: Bigger, faster, Fresher, Looser Abstract Painting, 6 hours. Click Here for Registration and Information
February 11-12, 2021 (Zoom) Interactive Mini-Workshop: Bigger, faster, Fresher, Looser Abstract Painting, 12 hours. Click Here for Registration and Information
February 19-21, 2021 Art League of Daytona Beach, Daytona Beach, FL Email Amelie Bush: amelieartist@aol.com
March 12-14, 2021 Arts and Design Society of Fort Walton Beach, FL. Abstracting the Coastal Landscape. Email Hanna Joensuu: hanna222@cox.net.
As always, thanks for your support!
David
NEW! Interactive (Zoom) Mini Workshops
I have just added 6 new Interactive Mini Workshops (on the Zoom platform) to my website. Most are 3 to 6 hours long and are a great opportunity for learning a lot in a short amount of time. You’ll be online and onscreen with me as I instruct, demonstrate, paint, and critique your work.
Simple Color System Colorwheel
If you have seen my videos on YouTube or taken one of my workshops, you have seen me use my Simple Color System Colorwheel. My Simple Color System is easy to use and assures that the color in your paintings will be harmonious. Proudly made in North Carolina.
You can purchase the Colorwheel HERE.
ALL ABOUT COLOR is a great online course that will show you a straightforward, no nonsense, clear and easily understandable approach to using harmonious color in your paintings.
Abstract Painting Academy is an online workshop experience specifically designed to teach you how to paint Abstract Paintings (like only you can!), Loosen Up your painting style, and use Design Fundamentals to give your paintings Dynamic Visual Impact. You get David’s personal attention and feedback on all of your work during the course.
Click Here to Find Out More
The Painting Insider (formerly Abstract Painting Insider) now has a new format and is not abstract painting specific. Weekly lessons provide an abundance of information to painters at any level. I have poured information about everything I have learned about painting over the last 30 years into one course!
