Unity

"Falling Off the Workout Wagon"

This illustration by Marcos Chin is a great example of unity. The repetition of circles, aligned angles, and consistency in color and position connects all the subjects together. However, the bubblegum girl is an anomaly. She still shares similarities with the other elements but her color and circular scale creates a great emphasis. 

"Day at the Beach"

Similarly, this painting by Mark Riedy have the same examples of unity in shape, angle and color. The distinct contrast in background as well as proximity also gives more unity to this painting. Additionally, I believe the unity strengthens the focal point here. The emphasis of the red umbrella really grabs your attention. It guides you into the picture to show you the activity of the people on the beach. 

Chin, Marcos. "Falling Off the Workout Wagon." Society of Illustrators 48th Annual of American Illustration Feb-May 2006: 59. Print. 

Stewart, Mary. "Mark Riedy, Day at the Beach, 1988" Launching the Imagination 2014: 66. Acrylic Airbrush. 

Variety

This illustration shows a lot of variety in shapes, layers, and texture. However, there is some control in the chaos with the various containments that help distinguish the fish, man and boat. This also give emphasis to the man on the boat, which guides you there first and then allows you to see how the rest of the image is composed. 


Apfelbaum, Sue. "Victo Ngai." Communication Arts Interactive Annual 20 March/April 2014: 76-83. Print.