Lines (actual or implied) and/or shapes that guide your eye.
III. Examples of the term:
Without directional forces, the viewer's eye will wander randomly around the artwork. The natural tendency is to move in the learned reading direction or just take the path of least resistance, like water.
Giacommo Balla A Car for All 1920
In this poster, lines and arrows act as directional forces, clearly mapping the movement and direction of each car.
Keith Haring Untitled 1982
Directional forces point to the center of the flying figure. The waves act like arrows pointing up at the figure.
Notice that the lines of the dolphin's snout direct your gaze to the center of the figure. Imagine how the composition would change if the dolphin faced the opposite direction.
Pablo Picasso Portrait of Gertrude Stein 1906
I find it is difficult to look away from this woman's face even though her face is not particularly attractive or striking in appearance.
Picasso makes excellent use of directional forces in this portrait. Every time I look elsewhere in the composition, I am brought back by a well placed line.
