Composition: A tool for Composition: A tool for ArtistsArtists

Artists have many different goals. Some tell Artists have many different goals. Some tell stories with their art. Others use their art to stories with their art. Others use their art to make a point or express a belief. They share make a point or express a belief. They share a unique view of the world, helping us to see a unique view of the world, helping us to see things differently. But all artists use things differently. But all artists use composition to accomplish their goals.composition to accomplish their goals.

Composition is simply the way that Composition is simply the way that art elements and principles are used to are used to express emotions and ideas. Composition express emotions and ideas. Composition organizes the space and guides the viewer's organizes the space and guides the viewer's eye. eye.

Regardless of style, subject or purpose, Regardless of style, subject or purpose, composition is used by all artists.composition is used by all artists.

CompositioCompositionn

"Composition" is a "Composition" is a term that can relate term that can relate to several areas of to several areas of study. The meaning study. The meaning may vary a little in may vary a little in the different usages, the different usages, but generally, but generally, composition refers composition refers to how things are to how things are "put together." We "put together." We will feature will feature composition as it composition as it pertains to the pertains to the visual arts.visual arts.

The Tattoo Artist, by Norman Rockwell

Artists, like Artists, like Carl Rungius, used a complex system of lines to , used a complex system of lines to determine his use of space. Notice, in the photograph to the right, determine his use of space. Notice, in the photograph to the right, the small study in the left lower corner showing his plan for the the small study in the left lower corner showing his plan for the composition of composition of Rams on the AlertRams on the Alert (1953). (1953).

There is no set order to approaching composition. It’s one of those There is no set order to approaching composition. It’s one of those things where you just keep adjusting and tweaking all the parts things where you just keep adjusting and tweaking all the parts until you get it right. Many artists make dozens of sketches and until you get it right. Many artists make dozens of sketches and studies before they begin the final piece.studies before they begin the final piece.

Carl Rungius, for example, made many studies of the scene before Carl Rungius, for example, made many studies of the scene before painting the final painting the final Lord of the CanyonLord of the Canyon..

Study for Lord of the Canyon, by Carl Rungius

Final painting of Lord of the Canyon, by Carl Rungius

Not tricks. Tools!Not tricks. Tools!

There are several tools artists use in There are several tools artists use in composing their works of art. Some composing their works of art. Some are more complex than others. As are more complex than others. As you become more proficient at you become more proficient at composition, you may wish to utilize composition, you may wish to utilize those more advanced techniques, those more advanced techniques, but to start you out, one of the but to start you out, one of the ‘never fail’ recipes for good ‘never fail’ recipes for good composition is the composition is the ‘Rule of Thirds’.‘Rule of Thirds’.

‘‘The Rule of Thirds’The Rule of Thirds’The Rule of Thirds is simply dividing the picture plane into equal sections of ‘thirds’. (Horizontally and Vertically)

Then, choosing one of the intersecting points as an area of interest in which to place the Emphasis.

1/3

1/3

The Tattoo Artist, by Norman Rockwell, (A visual joke)

It is not the only place of interesting area, but the interesting area where the Emphasis is placed. A sort of Eye catcher, like the punch line of a joke.

What is Emphasis?What is Emphasis? Emphasis Emphasis

incomposition:incomposition: The term emphasis The term emphasis

also can be called also can be called "dominance" or "dominance" or dominant. A feature dominant. A feature may be dominant may be dominant owing to its size, its owing to its size, its color, or some other color, or some other device which the artist device which the artist uses to draw attention uses to draw attention to the point of focus or to the point of focus or main interest.main interest.

One reliable way to create a good placement of Emphasis or interest is the ‘Rule of Thirds’

Now, can you find the Now, can you find the emphasis?emphasis?

American Artist, American Artist, Norman Rockwell, was Norman Rockwell, was a Master Composer in a Master Composer in the Visual Arts, often the Visual Arts, often utilizing the ‘Rule of utilizing the ‘Rule of Thirds’ to a poignant Thirds’ to a poignant perfection in the perfection in the Narration of his visual Narration of his visual story. story.

Is Emphasis different Is Emphasis different than the dominant than the dominant area?area?

What is dominance?What is dominance?

The Runaway, by Norman Rockwell

‘‘Rule of Thirds’Rule of Thirds’ 1. Divide the picture plane into thirds, both horizontally and vertically.

2. Place the area of interest or emphasis in one of the intersecting areas (thirds).

Where is the area of interest?

Who is dominant? Who is the most

Emphasis placed on?The Runaway, by Norman Rockwell

What would make it Visually more What would make it Visually more interesting?interesting?

The Challenge The Challenge of an Artist, is of an Artist, is to see beyond to see beyond the subject the subject matter into the matter into the basic basic composition composition itself, to create itself, to create a work that will a work that will withstand the withstand the test of criticism test of criticism and last as a and last as a visual work visual work that is pleasing that is pleasing to view and to view and gratifying to gratifying to create. create.

How has How has Rockwell Rockwell changed changed the the reference reference picture picture (scrap) on (scrap) on the left to the left to make it make it more more visually visually interestininteresting in the g in the final on final on the right?the right?

What What principles principles of design of design has he has he used? used?

Can you Can you name name them?them?

Identify the Principles Identify the Principles of composition used of composition used

in the following in the following Norman Rockwell Norman Rockwell

paintings.paintings. Repetition / PatternRepetition / Pattern EmphasisEmphasis BalanceBalance ContrastContrast UnityUnity MovementMovement ProportionProportion

Freedom from want

Now this Now this piece.piece.

Repetition / Repetition / PatternPattern

EmphasisEmphasis BalanceBalance ContrastContrast UnityUnity MovementMovement ProportionProportion

Shuffleton's Barber Shop