Flower Arrangement

Lesson 05 : Basic Principles of Art in Flower Arrangement

Rhythm

Rhythm is the movement of the eye through a design toward or away from the center of interest. It is the flow of lines, textures, and colors that evokes a sense of motion. The eye should move back and forth smoothly between the focal point and the outer edges of the arrangement. Rhythm can be created by repetition, radiation, progression, and transition.

Repetition
Repetition is the simplest way to develop rhythm in a flower arrangement. Repetition is accomplished by repeat­ing the leading color, the strongest line, the dominant form, or the dominant texture in an arrangement. To achieve rep­etition, select a flower of the desired color and repeat the use of this flower throughout the arrangement. The container is also a part of the finished design, and the colors and textures of the container may be repeated also. For example, crystal agrees in texture with delicate flowers, while heavy pottery is suitable for coarse flowers.

Radiation
Radiation is an attempt to make all stems appear to come from one central axis (Fig: 5.4 ). The point of origin should be the focal point of the design. This helps create an emphasis and a strong sense of unity in the arrangement.

Progression
Progression in an arrangement involves a gradual change by increasing or decreasing one or more qualities, including the size, color, or texture of the material used, or the space between flowers. Through progression, we develop movement in a certain direction.

Progression in size is accomplished by using flowers of in­creasing size. Place buds and small flowers at the edge of the arrangement, large flowers at the bottom and center of the arrangement, and medium-sized flowers between them. If all the flowers are the same size, face them in different directions to alter their "visual weight". Facing flowers increases or de­creases the eye appeal or visual weight (Fig: 5.5).
Progression in space can be achieved by increasing the space between flowers at the edges of an arrangement and decreasing it at the center (Fig: 5.6).

Progression in color can be accomplished in much the same manner. Use flowers of light value at the top and edges, dark values at the center of interest, and intermediate values between the two.
To achieve progression in texture, proceed from materials with fine texture through medium texture to coarse texture. Finely textured materials are placed at the edges of the ar­rangement, while coarse ones are near the center of interest.

Transition
Transition also involves making a gradual change, al­lowing the designer to harmonize unlike things. Transition refers to the blending of colors, line patterns, and textures. Transition and progression are closely related, and progres­sion is often used to create a transition in the design.
Avoid sectioning your design. Sectioning occurs when you use one color or texture in one area and a different color or texture in another. Blend colors, textures, and shapes to­gether to unify the design.
Transition should also exist between the container and the arrangement. Allow some of the plant material to over­lap the rim of the container. By doing this, the eye moves easily from the container to the arrangement.