5 Practical Ways to Use Symmetry in Art

We've discussed quite a range of art skills already and for this week, we'll zone in on another essential technique worth mastering - symmetry. 

What is symmetry in art all about?

It is when the elements of your painting or drawing balance each other out. Symmetry in art can refer to the balance of your subjects, the colors your use or even the composition techniques you employ in your artwork. 

Symmetry has the magic of making or breaking your masterpiece. It's a technique essential to your growth as an artist and in this article, we'll share with you five practical ways you can apply symmetry in your artworks. Ready? :)

Work on your composition well

Before pouring your heart out on your painting or drawing, make sure to answer these questions first - what will be my work's focus? How should the different elements of my work relate to one another? 

Your composition is crucial to the overall balance of your artwork. It is what people notice first anyway so no matter how amazing your brushstrokes are or your initial draft is, if your composition doesn't work well, then your artwork wouldn't look as good as you want it to be. 

Going back to our article on composition, you can do the rule of thirds by dividing your paper or canvas into nine equal parts. ​You can apply the iconic technique too in ensuring your subject is sitting right in the center of your artpiece.  

​These types of prep work and thumbnail sketches will not only save you from making mistakes on your art, but it will also ensure you are starting out right!

When thinking about symmetry, consider also your light source

​Did you know that according to science, people respond better and prefer paintings more when it is lit from the left? Where your light source is located is crucial to the symmetry and how realistic your artwork is. 

​While this does not mean you cannot have your light source on the right, lighting is essential to how your painting appears balanced to your audience. So whether you put it on the left or on the right, what's most important is establishing where your light is coming from to communicate a coherent picture. 

Turn the left cheek!

​This may sound a little bit odd, but did you know that researchers who looked at about 1000 European portraits found that the subject that had their left cheeks turned towards the audience occurred at least 60 percent of the time? 

What could be a possible explanation for this?

Similar to the preference for the light source coming from the left, it may have something to do with the fact that we process things from left to right. That's how we read words and letters, isn't it?

Try a little experimenting when drawing or painting portraits. If you can have someone sit down and be your subject, test it out which from their left side or right side is more prominent. 

In the head shots below, which one for you has a more visual impact? 

Balance your colors

​Symmetry is more than just balancing your light source and how your subject acts; it's also the balance of your colors. Whether for portraits, drawings or landscapes, always strive for visual balance through the colors you will use. 

It helps to have a great understanding of color theory, which we will cover in the next couple of weeks here on our blog. As colors always exist in relation to other colors, knowing color relationships and the effects they create is vital. Below is a simple illustration of what color theory is in a nutshell. 

Know the different types of symmetry

Equipping yourself with knowledge on symmetry is just as important in striving for this very principle in your artworks. In the world of art, there are three types of symmetry you can apply - radial, mirror or bilateral and asymmetry. 

​Radial symmetry is the arrangement of subjects that radiate from a central point. Mandalas are popular demonstrations of radial symmetry. Check out the stunning visuals below!

Mirror or bilateral symmetry, on the other hand, is a type of balance wherein a center line perfectly divides an object in half such that one side mirrors the other. 

Asymmetry is a form of symmetry wherein two sides of a picture are different, but are visually balanced. A popular example of asymmetrical balance is Vincent Van Gogh's Starry Night. 

Learn and practice symmetry now!

​Here at Art Smart, we value your growth as a young artist. Aside from symmetry, we will equip you with skills and art techniques that will come in handy once you're ready to apply to fine art schools or pursue your dream as a painter or visual artist!

Kindly check out our schedules below for this school year and reserve you slot by calling 0917-8784766 /02 -7886766 / 0915-5948191 / (0995) 260 8927!