Among designers’ criteria are the Gestalt principles like Common Fate, Figure Ground, Closure, Similarity, Continuity, and Proximity. This post illustrates a synthesis of these principles through diagrams, photos and paintings. I begin with “Common Fate” because this principle determines an image’s unifying orientation. For example, “Common Fate” produces the pattern of rock grain or the current of water. “Common Fate” can determine the collective structural unity of an image.
My following examples use “Common Fate” to illustrate how it can be interrupted to create alternate and more complex identities for an image. Panel 1 (example 1) demonstrates how implied shapes are generated by interrupting the flow of the “Common Fate” pattern. Panel 2 (example 2) introduces another type of interruptions to the “Common Fate” pattern while still sustaining an implied Serpentine pattern. Andrew Wyeth tried a variation of this system as you see in his painting in example 3. Here Wyeth demonstrates the “common fate” principle in the slow consistent turning current of sand on the shoreline.
Example 1. Panel 1, “Common Fate” with implied “S” shape pattern.
Example 2. Panel 2, “Common Fate” with implied “S” shape and interrupting anomalous lines. These lines form a secondary subliminal “S“ pattern formed by the principle of continuity. We connect the interrupted spaces to make a singular shape.
Example 3. Andrew Wyeth’s serpentine design with translucence (suggesting depth) as well as evidence of common fate patterns.
Panel 3 (example 4) presents “Common Fate” coupled to both the principle of the perspective of disappearance (shapes diminishing in size create a feeling of distance) and, to the principle of overlapping. Notice that some of the horizontal common fate lines collide with the surface shapes. They appear as surface shapes because, they overlap and interrupt the common fate pattern.
Example 4. Panel 3, “Common Fate” with perspective of disappearance and subtle overlapping.
Panel 4 (example 5) adds another twist. Here some interrupting shapes appear to overlap the “common fate” lines while others appear to be overlapped themselves by other “common fate” lines. This allows some shapes to appear on the surface while others appear slightly under the surface. Surface depth is now suggested.
Example 5. Panel 4, “Common Fate” with over/under interrupting shapes. The overlapping shapes subtly diminish in size toward the top of the picture plane creating deeper space.
To represent all these principles within a painted image I offer example 6. Here tone, translucent color, complimentary color and value also collaborate with the Gestalt linear design principles to create atmosphere, depth, orientation, and motion.
Example 6. Painting “Water Play”, oil on enameled brushed silver laminated aluminum, 24×36.
Example 7 presents a painting in an early state which demonstrates how the principles of Consistency (the “common fate” harmony of water shapes vs. the harmony of rock shapes vs. the harmony of vertical tree shapes) can be introduced to create other overlapping, interpenetrating patterns. The image is built on the principle of “Common Fate”.
Example 7. Painting in an early state but, demonstrating “Common Fate” patterns.
Example 8 is a photograph using the same design idea as Andrew Wyeth’s painting. You may wish to find your own examples of common fate in the photo’s reflections and its unifying “S” shape as well as other interrupting anomalies.
Example 8. Photo of “S” shape design with elements of “Common Fate” and surface interruptions.
Please visit with me and my new paintings on view at my upcoming solo show at the White Gallery 342 Main Street in Lakeville, Ct. It opens with a reception (5 to 7 PM) on Saturday, September 29. The gallery is open all day Saturday from 11 AM . for other hours and information tel: 860 435 1029 or thewhitegalleryart.com
I invite you to join me this year for Jerry’s Artarama’s tradeshow and workshops at their Art of The Carolinas in November (9th -11th) in Raleigh Durham NC. I have three workshops to offer you. My Friday workshop FR1807 is “New Affects and Ancient Sources for Painting in oil/wc/and Acrylic. My Saturday workshop SA1807 is “Nature Up Close” in oil/wc/and acrylic. My Sunday workshop SU1807 is “Cities in Motion, Bridging Realism and Abstraction”. A more fulsome description is available through Jerry’s Artarama Art of the Carolinas website. Or on daviddunlop.com. Try www.artofthecarlinas.com/all-media-workshops. Also, for the complete description of my workshops you can visit this website but, under the category of “Classes and Events” on the homepage.
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