What is Contrast in Art? 4 Types, Examples, Definition

Let’s learn all about the significance of contrast in art. We’ll take a look at the contrast art definition, explore four common types of contrast, and how artists use this element while creating art by referring to different examples throughout art history.

When it comes to visual art, adding contrast to an artwork is a key way to grip the viewer’s eye, and it is one of the seven principles of art. There are a variety of reasons why many artists use contrast, and proper use of this principle can generate phenomenal effects.

Let’s jump in and discover why and how artists create contrast in their work.

What is Contrast in Art?

In art, contrast is the technique of using distinct visual art elements in juxtaposition with each other that often work together to create balance and depth. Contrast in art can be used for multiple purposes, such as to convey meaning, draw attention to the piece, and dramatize the characteristics of the work.

Often considered the golden rule in art, contrast is an excellent and eye-catching tool for artists to utilize in their work, regardless of the art form. From graphic design to painting or sculpture, contrast plays an important role in fine art.

Contrast in art can help add a focal point to the work or aid in creating a more dynamic piece.

7 Principles of Art

Contrast is one of the principles of art, not elements of art. You can learn about each principle of art and element of art in the linked articles below:

1. Balance
2. Contrast and Emphasis (we are reading about contrast now!)
3. Movement and Rhythm
4. Unity and Variety
5. Harmony
6. Pattern
7. Proportions and Scale

The 7 Elements of Art

1. Line
2. Color
3. Form
4. Shape
5. Value
6. Texture
7. Space

4 Types & Examples of Contrast in Art

To create contrast while making art, the most obvious method artists use is manipulating the work’s light and dark areas (values).

Other ways that contrast can be used are with hues or saturation contrast (color) and through form contrast or texture contrast. Let’s take a detailed look into each of these four different types of contrast.

Value Contrast Art

Value contrast utilizes light and dark tones to add a layer of depth and three-dimensionality to the artwork. Value in art is based on a color’s relative light or darkness, regardless of its hue. 

The value levels––from low, high, and everything in between––will vary depending on the effect the artist wishes to achieve.

High-value contrast in art is when there is a major difference between the light and dark values, while low contrast in art is when the light and dark values are more similar. 

Check out Proko’s free lesson on value with a portrait example, “The Illusion of Depth – Contrast, Aerial Perspective and Form.”

In the above example of Claude Monet’s “On the Bank of the Seine,” the value contrast is mostly low because the values within each color vary only slightly.

The most noticeable variation of value contrast is found in the trees and the grass, while the water, sky, and buildings on the hill have a lower variation in value contrast. This, along with the soft edges, creates a more tranquil overall effect within the painting.

Less detail in the background and more detail in the foreground also create contrast in this painting.

In comparison, Gerard Van Honthorst’s “Old Woman Examining a Coin”demonstrates a high value contrast painting, as the values of light and dark are extremely apparent here.

The deep shadow of the woman’s arm, the dark foreground, and the light areas within her face generate a dramatic and strikingly realistic painting. This is also a great example of tonal contrast, which is created when light and dark tones lie alongside each other.

The Op Art Movement

Tonal contrast in art was powerfully displayed during the Op Art, or Optical Art, movement of the 1960s. M.C. Escher is one of the movement’s most prominent artists, with his mind-bending monochromatic pattern designs.

A stark contrast of light and dark or complementary colors is used by artists in order to achieve bizarre effects. These remarkable illusions created through contrast reveal how a strong use of contrast can trick and manipulate the eye, making a 2D image appear in motion.

Watch a brief introduction to the Op Art movement in the video below:

Color Contrast Art

Color contrast, also known as hue contrast, refers to the contrast between the hues and saturation of an image.

High contrast in color is achieved by using complementary colors on the color wheel––the opposite colors, such as blue and orange, purple and yellow, or green and red. 

These complementary color combinations, along with the use of warm colors and cool colors, can produce a bold and vibrant contrasting effect. On the other hand, low color contrast occurs when the artist is going for a more monochromatic or subdued look.

Vincent Van Gogh relied heavily on hue contrast in his paintings, as shown in the examples below:

In Van Gogh’s famous self-portrait, the complementary colors of red and green are used to achieve exceptional color contrast.

Van Gogh’s “Starry Night Over the Rhone” painting is another excellent example of strong contrast.

The darker colors of the blue water, with the added light yellow reflection from the stars, produce stunning depth and three-dimensionality.

The lovely balance of saturated blue with bright yellow also helps instill balance, bringing forth a serene and calming atmosphere.

Van Gogh’s painting “Path in the Park of Arles with Walkers” is one example that illustrates the beauty within monochromatic artworks. Because green is the primary color used, it can be considered a low-color contrast painting.

Notice, however, that it is high in value. The light and dark values of green shades that are closely related provide the trees with their depth and dimension.

Shape Contrast Art

Shape contrast in art is the use of rigid vs. organic shapes, long vs. short shapes, or circular vs. rectangular shapes in an artwork. 

These contrasting parts can be used to create variation in the thickness of a form’s lines, the hardness or softness of edges, and the size of shapes within the artwork.

Playing with the opposites of a shape through contrast is bound to produce intriguing artistic effects.

Learn more about shape design with Ahmed Aldoori.

Henri Rousseau’s “The Laundry Boat of Pont de Charenton” shows how contrasting shapes work together to produce a stunning landscape.

From the organic shapes and soft edges in the clouds and trees to the rigid and long rectangular buildings with their hard edges, the varying shapes and edge contrast perfectly to bring unity to the painting’s composition.

Gejza Schiller’s painting “Landscape with a bridge” is composed entirely of identifiable shapes.

The contrasting subjects of the round shapes and the more angular forms leave an impactful impression.

Texture Contrast Art

Texture in contrast is achieved by using smooth and rough surfaces in an artwork.

Playing with texture when creating contrast is a way to add depth, depict the illusion of movement, or create more drama in the artwork. 

In painting, texture refers to how the brushstrokes are applied, including tactile and implied.

Tactile texture can be physically touched and felt, whereas implied texture cannot be touched, but the illusion of texture is achieved through masterful art techniques.

Learn about creating implied textures with Steven Zapata.

Van Gogh was known to create texture in his paintings by using a thick application of paint, known as the impasto technique. His most famous work, The Starry Night, displays this dynamic effect:

A modern-day example of how texture is achieved in fine art can be found in the work of artist Justin Gaffrey.

His breathtaking textured landscapes show how the contrasting rough and smooth textures bring the sculptural acrylic paintings to life.

Take a look at the fascinating process in the YouTube video below:

Why is Contrast Important In Art?

There’s a reason why contrast in art is regarded as the golden rule in the realm of fine art.

Aside from the obvious visual contrast that can be seen, the principle can also be used to tell a story, set the tone of the work, bring the viewer’s attention to a focal point, create depth and dimension, and more.

Contrast adds variety and can bring a sense of unity to the artwork.

However, it’s also important to take into consideration that too much or too little contrast may not always produce the desired results. If there is too little contrast, the artwork could become monotonous.

On the other side of the spectrum, too much contrast can make the work look unbalanced and can be quite harsh. Yet, many artists may purposely use too little or too much contrast to achieve a certain look or tell a compelling story.

There are no rules when it comes to creating art and using contrast, of course, but finding a proper balance with contrast based on the artwork’s composition is often beneficial.

This can be accomplished by comparing both light and dark sections of the work, line widths, hard and soft shapes, or rough and smooth textures.

How Can You Use Contrast in Your Art?

Ready to get started with using contrast in your next art project?

As you’ve already discovered, you can use various forms of contrast in art––from color to texture––to achieve the desired results.

The following steps will help you to add more depth to your artwork with contrast:

#1. Plan the composition.

How do you want the visual elements within your piece to work together? Create as many thumbnail sketches as necessary to produce a composition that you’re satisfied with. 

Make sure your composition has a focal point, and think about how and where you want to create contrast to express your message.

Experiment with value, color, texture, and shapes in your sketches to find the type of contrast that works best for your goal, and play with different elements. Refer to the color wheel to work with complementary colors in your thumbnails.

#2. Begin your artwork.

Now that you’ve created a sketch you’re happy with, it’s time to begin! Start with a light layer first, and gradually increase the contrast with each layer.

This way, you’re able to adjust the contrast levels slowly. For value contrast, it is helpful to add the deepest shadows and lightest highlights last. 

#3. Keep balance in mind.

Be careful with overdoing the contrast levels unless you’re going for a particular look. Be sure to find a balance of contrast that works with your composition because otherwise, the artwork may become too discordant.

A helpful tip is to take a photograph of your work and edit the image to grayscale. Doing this lets you see which areas may need more or less contrast without the distraction of color.

Contrast Principle in Art – Key Takeaways

Contrast is one of the seven principles of art. It is the technique of bringing opposite visual elements together to create balance and depth.

There are multiple other reasons that artists use contrast in art, including to convey meaning, create a conspicuous focal point, or add drama to the work. Contrast in art is also important because it adds variety and unity to the artwork. 

The four common types of contrast in art include value contrast, color contrast, form contrast, and texture contrast. As displayed in the examples above, each type can generate striking and unique results, especially when combined. 

To create contrast in art, be sure to plan out your composition by creating thumbnails, add contrast gradually layer by layer, and keep the balance principle at the forefront of your mind.