Diagonal lines convey a feeling of movement. objects in a diagonal position are stable.

The Vertical Line in CompositionIn a composition, the vertical line is more important than any other. The vertical line separates man (upright) from animal (on all fours), can stand alone without any other support (unlike the horizontal and diagonal line) and demonstrates the direction of gravity. To create a well-balanced vertical composition, the dominant vertical must be bisected by a horizontal or diagonal line to prevent the eye from quickly leaving the picture. For example, in the painting below by Kenyon Cox, notice how the implied horizontal line (the back edge of the chair and the position of the woman’s hands) bisects the dominant vertical line (the leg of the chair and the position of the woman’s dominant arm) in the composition. ​

In the painting above, by John Singer Sargent, observe how the dominant diagonal line bisects the dominant vertical line in the composition. This precise bisection of only two lines creates a strong sense of balance and sets up the design for repeated patterns and calculated parallel intervals throughout the entire compositional scheme.  ​

The Horizontal Line in CompositionWhile the vertical is generally considered the figure painter’s line, the horizontal is known among artists as the landscape painter's line. To create a successful design in a work of art using a dominant horizontal, a vertical or diagonal line must be introduced to balance out the whole. Without a strong vertical or diagonal line, the artist runs into the danger of slicing the image in half with no visual element to keep the viewer from leaving the frame too abruptly. ​For example, in the painting below called “Golgatha” by Julio Reyes, notice how the dominant horizontal line (white) that cuts the rectangle equally on both sides is offset by the strong vertical figure (yellow). Also, observe how the artist is using the steelyard principle to balance out the figure with the background elements. To learn more about the steelyard principle, click here. ​

The painting above, “Villa Torlonia, Fountain,” by John Singer Sargent demonstrates how the dominant
​horizontal line (white) is balanced by the vertical (yellow) and diagonal line (green).

The Diagonal Line in CompositionThe diagonal line in a composition is considered to be the most dynamic line and suggests movement along that path. Whether you're working with a Dynamic Symmetry root rectangle or the harmonic armature, the diagonal line will start the construction of a design regardless of its complexity. Additionally, When you run two diagonal lines from corner to corner in a square or rectangle, the intersection of these lines will locate the center of the composition. The center of the picture is important because the eye will naturally seek it out. In the painting below, by William Bouguereau, observe how the two intersecting diagonal lines create an important vertical division in the composition ​

Painting above, “Christ Carrying the Cross” by Hieronymus Bosch,
​demonstrating the use of diagonal lines to create dynamic energy in a composition.

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