Emphasis

Drop-in Two

Grade Level: 5th

Introduction: Emphasis is one of the principles of design. It is given to the center of interest in a piece of artwork. Emphasis can be placed on the largest, brightest, or lightest subject.

Information: During this exercise you will visit a number of websites. You will read information on emphasis/dominance in artwork. You will attempt to understand the meaning of emphasis/dominance as an element of art. While visiting the Why Town Public Schools site, you will also read about art styles and view artwork. Then you will determine how and what the artist places emphasis on.

Activity:

Visit the following sites to learn about emphasis/dominance in art.

Sanford- this site explains what emphasis is. It gives an example of emphasis in a piece of artwork.

http://www.sanford-artedventures.com/study/g_emphasis.html

Why Town Public Schools- you can link onto six different styles of art on this site. Definitions, artists of that style, and examples of artwork are given.

http://www.www.whytownps.sa.edu.au/visarts/elements.htm

WTPS- go to this site to find links on the four elements of art. Just scroll down the page to find information on dominance.

http://www.whytownps.sa.edu.au/visarts/styles.htm

Print the worksheet to complete the next step. Now read three of the seven art styles, you choose which ones. What is the emphasis/dominance placed on in these paintings? Describe how the artist achieves emphasis.

Create your own original painting using emphasis/dominance. You may also use one of the art styles you learned about.

If you need more guidance on emphasis/dominance as an art element, go to these sites:

The Alphabet of Art- to find out how size effects the importance or the emphasis of an object look at this site.

http://www.guidancecom.com/alphabet/size.htm

Elements and Principles of Design- this site provides information on all the elements of design. Scroll down to the middle of the page. Here you will find specific information and great examples on dominance.

http://www.johnlovett.com/test.htm