Proportion in art

What is proportion?

• The overall physical size of an artwork or objects

• How an artwork relates to the size of a person

• The relationships between dimensions in a work

Answer explanation

The relationship between parts of a composition will decide how accurate, realistic and balanced it looks.

Why would an artist create a large scale piece of work?

• To create immediate impact

• To fit everything in

• To show how important the piece of artwork is

Answer explanation

Creating something which is larger than would normally be expected create an immediate impact.

Why would an artist use contrasting scale in a single piece of work?

• To show that they are able to create objects of different sizes

• To trick the viewer into thinking something is bigger or smaller than it actually is

• To create tension or drama between two different areas of a piece of work.

Answer explanation

Using different scales in a piece of work can create a level of tension between those areas or objects.

Why might artists use the rule of thirds in their work?

• To create a well-balanced piece of work that is pleasing to the eye

• To make it quick and easy to complete a piece of work

• To create visual flow

Answer explanation

The rule of thirds is derived from the golden ratio.

The golden ratio is often found in nature and we tend to find it pleasing to the eye.

Why would an artist carefully consider proportion when making pieces of artwork based on the human body or facial features?

• To allow the artist to accurately show the emotions of the person they are trying to draw or paint

• To allow the artist to exaggerate different parts of the body to make them more or less important

• To make sure that the placement of the parts of the human body are accurate in scale and size allowing the artist to make a realistic representation of the human form

Answer explanation

Considering proportion is an important factor in making sure that any drawings or representations of the human body are accurate .

Why is the golden ratio important to art and design?

• It is found in objects like shells and plants which artist then use to draw

• It helps artists create well balanced work

• It helps artists draw realistic figures

Answer explanation

The golden ratio allows artists to create well balanced pieces of artwork.

In Leonardo Da Vinci’s studies of the human face, how far apart should the pupils of the eyes be?

• In line with the end of the mouth

• Each should be half way between the ears and the middle of the nose

• One eye width apart

Answer explanation

The pupils are in line with the ends of the mouth.

Which artist’s paintings often feature elongated human figures?

• Amadeo Modigliani

• Leonardo Da Vinci

• Vincent Van Gogh

Answer explanation

Modigliani’s portraits are often stretched vertically so that they appear graceful and elegant.

Why might an artist or designer work to a very small scale?

• So that it can only be seen from close up

• To highlight skill and detail

• To avoid showing detail

Answer explanation

Creating detail at a small scale can be very demanding and this draws attention to the skill involved.

What is the difference between scale and proportion?

• There is no difference

• Scale is the relationship between the size of one whole object to the size of another whole object. Proportion is the relationship of size between various parts of one whole object.

• Scale is about the height of objects or people compared to each other and proportion is about the width of objects.