Harmony with Variety in Art Composition

A Powerful Tool for Creating Visual Balance

Composition simply means putting things together—whether it's writing a report, arranging flowers, decorating a room, or, in our case, composing a picture. It’s the thoughtful arrangement of all the elements to create an interesting and unified whole.

When composing a picture, you're using all the Principles of Design—alternation, balance, variety/conflict, dominance, gradation/transition, harmony, repetition, and unity—as well as all the Elements of Design—color, direction, line, shape, size, texture/pattern, and value. These principles and elements are deeply interdependent, and at first, it can feel overwhelming to juggle them all.

A Simple Guiding Principle: Harmony with Variety

An easy and effective way to think about composition is this: Harmony with Variety.

Harmony happens when one element dominates. For example, if you use mostly blue throughout your painting, that creates color harmony. But to keep things visually engaging, you also need variety. You might introduce a complementary color—like orange—to bring the painting to life.

Your choices depend entirely on what you're trying to say with your art. Ask yourself:

• Do I want a peaceful picture or something more energetic?

• Would dark or light blue help convey that mood?

• Should I use a bright or quiet blue?

• Would a warm or cool tone say it best?

Focusing on just one element, like color, can go a long way in shaping your composition and achieving the feeling you're aiming for.

Visual Examples of Harmony with Variety

Below are four completely different landscape paintings:

• Two have an overall warm color palette.

• Two are built on cool tones.

In each case, the dominance of a particular color helped form a pleasing composition. Even though each painting evokes a different mood, they all hold together beautifully by using the principle of harmony with variety.

Want to Master Composition in Your Own Art?

If you're looking to develop your skills in composition and deepen your understanding of the principles and elements of design, The Artists Playground offers a variety of art classes for beginners and experienced artists alike. Whether you’re focused on painting, drawing, or mixed media, our classes are designed to help you confidently apply these concepts in your own work.

Join our art classes in Newburyport, MA, and learn to bring harmony and balance to your creations, while experimenting with your own unique artistic voice.