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Rhythm in Art

what is rhythm in art?

According to the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, rhythm is “movement, fluctuation, or variation marked by the regular recurrence or natural flow of related elements”.

WHAT IS RHYTHM IN ART?

Artists can either choose to create a hyper-energized or dynamic artwork, something more calming and fluid, or something more orderly and geometrically structured.

TYPES OF RHYTHM IN ART

REGULAR RHYTHM

A regular rhythm is consistent with its motifs. Whether different art elements are utilized, these are arranged in even and consistent patterns.

ALTERNATING RHYTHM

An alternating rhythm in art consists of more than one, oftentimes two, different motifs arranged in a pattern.

FLOWING RHYTHM

A flowing rhythm is when a pattern follows the “organic” patterns made by nature, which are typically circular or curved lines and shapes and described as “undulating”.

PROGRESSIVE RHYTHM

Progressive rhythm in art occurs when any art element, for example, color, shapes, or forms, arranged in a sequence or pattern is changed.

RANDOM RHYTHM

Random rhythm in art refers to the random application of art elements; there is no order to how the sequences or patterns are placed in the composition.

RHYTHM artwork examples

Fall Plowing (1931) by Grant Wood Lizard (1942) by M.C. Escher The Great Wave off Kanagawa (1831) by Katsushika Hokusai Three Flags (1958) by Jasper Johns Autumn Rhythm: Number 30 (1950) by Jackson Pollock