Elements and Principals of Design....Direction

Direction: All lines have direction – Horizontal, Vertical or Oblique. Horizontal suggests calmness, stability and tranquillity. Vertical gives a feeling of balance, formality and alertness. Oblique suggests movement and action.

I believe that ordinarily these rules apply….but I also believe….once again…that rules are meant to be broken….and here is an example of that. In this painting…the majority of the line direction is horizontal….but this is anything but calm, stable and tranquil….this is the epitome of movement and action.In this one….the lines are basically vertical……yet….this painting Really….gives me a more calming feeling than any of them!….not balance, formality and alertness.

lol….I’m really not helping prove these points, am I? Okay….here’s the point: Although these don’t fall under the standard rule of thumb….they DO show the importance of direction in art. If not for the direction of ANY of these painting….they wouldn’t have near the impact that they have.

In this one….the direction is horizontal….and it DOES indeed depict calmness and tranquility.

Okay….last one folks…..This one…is mostly oblique…and it’s about as action and motion packed as you can get.