Art Lesson: Harmony. Harmony can be defined as a pleasing arrangement of parts, whether it is music, poetry, color, or even an ice cream sundae. Harmony, in art, is an image that is pleasing to the eye, creates an inner sense of order and a balance in the visual experience. When an artwork is not harmonious, it may be considered boring or chaotic. A well-crafted painting is a unified whole that encompasses all the other elements and principles of art and design. Size relationships are defined by proportion and scale. Proportion refers to how the elements within an object relate to the object as a whole. Scale relates to the size of an object when compared with the size of the space in which it is located. As with Wyland's depiction of a Seahorse, unity assures a sense of order. There is a consistency of size and shape, a harmony of color and pattern. Where too much unity can be boring; too much variety can cause a restless feeling. Juggling the elements and principles to get just the right mix is a key to good harmony and unity in a painting.
