Term: Direction

Kristina Jurick

A principle of design that aligns the elements in order to lead the eye in a particular way, or to give a painting movement. Direction can be thought of as the path the viewer's eye will follow.

Lines naturally have direction. Shapes, textures and patterns can also be configured toward a certain area to give direction. As we see in many works, the subject can also dictate the overall direction of piece.

The dominant direction can have a powerful influence on the mood of a painting. For example, a horizontal direction suggests calmness, stability and tranquility, whereas vertical direction gives a feeling of balance, formality and alertness.