What does variety in a composition achieve?

Variety in a composition serves to enhance visual interest and energy within the artwork. By incorporating different elements, such as varying colors, shapes, textures, or sizes, an artist can capture and retain the viewer's attention. This diversity creates a dynamic interplay that encourages exploration of the piece, allowing viewers to engage with it on multiple levels. It can evoke emotional responses, foster curiosity, and prevent monotony, making the artwork more compelling and lively.

While symmetry and balance are crucial principles in art, they often emphasize harmony rather than variety. Focusing solely on one element leads to uniformity and can diminish the complexity and richness that variety provides. Reducing complexity in artwork might simplify the composition, but it can also strip it of vitality and interest, making it less engaging for the audience. Therefore, the primary role of variety is to enrich the composition and add depth.