Series 33: STEELYARD BALANCE

Emphasis on the Axis – S33L1 Download

 This lesson is S33L1, Emphasis on the Axis of the STEELYARD BALANCE Series.  Using as her subject an old tree on a lawn next to a forest, Dianne explores how we can add emphasis to a vertical axis while finding simple ways to give weight to areas near it then balance those with lighter weights further away from it.

Balance is about visual stability, a necessity to prevent our paintings from feeling topsy-turvy.  The steelyard balance, invented by the    Romans centuries ago, moves the vertical axis from the center to one side, providing the ability to balance heavy weights near the axis with lighter weights located further away from the axis.

The four lessons in this series explore how steelyard balance works and how using it creatively can enrich to our paintings.

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 Rather than becoming refined paintings, all these lessons are studies, each showing a different approach for using a composing principle.  Dianne’s approach to teaching is to show you ways to think about making choices and decisions so that you can work these into your own unique approach to painting.

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With every brushstroke we make, we are composing.  Just as with any creation, we begin with a structure, then as the art work begins we place shapes and colors according the concept with which we are working.  But the time comes when we move to a different level of thinking and decision-making–that moment when our intention becomes to bring clarity and resolution to the work.

Among Dianne’s passions about painting and teaching painting is how composing principles can expand creative freedom if the artist transcends the “rule” idea and instead, transforms the principle into a tool that opens creative doors.

Read Dianne’s Compose blog posts HERE.  Visit Dianne’s website and example her work HERE.  And visit her YouTube Channel with dozens of Quick Tips HERE.