Circles and Dots and Things that Go Round

I know I bombarded you with swirls and curls this week but while we are on the subject, I thought we could look at another element that also really draws our attention. The circle.

Circles are a prominent element in all kinds of artwork because they are one of the most powerful basic shapes we know. It is the shape of some of the most important elements in our world such as the sun, the earth, the moon, eyes, and human faces. Circles are a signal to focus in on a particular spot; we don’t usually put a square or triangle around something we want to make note of … we draw a circle. It’s also a very pleasing shape … balanced, continuous, and soft. So if you use it in artwork, a circle, more so than probably any other element you have in a piece, will draw the eye.

So what if you use a lot of circles? And dots which are designators like pins on a map? Well, I think you can get a lot of attention. Just look at these pieces by Beatriz Rubio. Circles and dots and spots … you can’t help but check them out, can you?

So what have we learned this week, kids? Things that go round can certainly draw our attention. That’s enough for now. It’s the weekend. Time to go out and play!