COMPOSITIONCOMPOSITION

THE most important thing!THE most important thing!

This is one of the most important things This is one of the most important things that you can learn as an artist!that you can learn as an artist!

It is the STRUCTURE OF A PICTURE – how It is the STRUCTURE OF A PICTURE – how the elements are laid out on the page.the elements are laid out on the page.

How YOU select and organize lines, How YOU select and organize lines, shapes, value, etc….AND how you use shapes, value, etc….AND how you use the Elements of Art and Principles of the Elements of Art and Principles of Design!Design!

ImageImage FormatFormat

Portrait or LandscapePortrait or Landscape

Depending on what your subject Depending on what your subject matter is, you will want to choose matter is, you will want to choose how to orient your paperhow to orient your paper

Points of Interest – FOCAL Points of Interest – FOCAL POINT – Area of DOMINANCEPOINT – Area of DOMINANCE

You need to have one main area of You need to have one main area of focus that is like you focus that is like you ““main ideamain idea”” that that you want the viewer to pay attention you want the viewer to pay attention totoUsually has more detail, more contrast, Usually has more detail, more contrast,

more shading, etcmore shading, etcShould be the most interesting spot in Should be the most interesting spot in

your workyour work

How do I do this?How do I do this? Use what you know about creating VISUAL Use what you know about creating VISUAL

WEIGHT – or, making something visually more WEIGHT – or, making something visually more important than other things on the pageimportant than other things on the page

1 – Size and Complexity1 – Size and Complexity

Large shapes are Large shapes are ‘‘heavierheavier’’ than small than small shapes, such that shapes, such that several small shapes several small shapes balance one large balance one large oneone

A complex object is A complex object is ‘‘heavierheavier’’ than a than a simple one, such simple one, such that one small that one small complex object complex object balances a large balances a large simple objectsimple object

2 - Color2 - Color A high intensity color A high intensity color

is heavier than a low is heavier than a low intensity color, such intensity color, such that small areas of that small areas of bright color balance bright color balance a large area of a large area of dull/neutral color.dull/neutral color.

Also, warm colors are heavier than cool colors

Colors that are CLEAR and BRIGHT appear closer than those that are dull or blurry

3 - Value3 - Value

Dark values are Dark values are heavier than light heavier than light values.values.

Also, dark values appear closer than light values (atmospheric perspective)

4 - Texture4 - Texture Rough texture is Rough texture is

heavier than heavier than smooth texture.smooth texture.

Again, things that are more textured appear to have more detail, and thus appear to be closer

5 - Position5 - Position A large object close A large object close

to the dominant area to the dominant area of the work can of the work can balance a smaller balance a smaller object placed far object placed far from the dominant from the dominant areaarea

An object higher on the picture plane appears to be further away

An object overlapping another object appears to be closer

““RulesRules”” of Composition of CompositionNo No BULLBULL’’s EYEs EYE compositions compositions

Do NOT put things right in the middle of Do NOT put things right in the middle of your page!your page!

Boring….why would we look anywhere Boring….why would we look anywhere else on the page?else on the page?

““Rule of ThirdsRule of Thirds”” By far, the most well-known design ruleBy far, the most well-known design rule If you divide the paper into thirds, objects If you divide the paper into thirds, objects

should be places where the should be places where the ‘‘thirdsthirds’’ cross. cross. Again, stay away from putting things into Again, stay away from putting things into

the center of the paper!the center of the paper!

More More ““rulesrules””……

Avoid dividing the picture plane in Avoid dividing the picture plane in half…half…Unequal divisions are more interesting Unequal divisions are more interesting

and less monotonousand less monotonous

BAD GOOD

Avoid placing objects in a row on the Avoid placing objects in a row on the pagepageInstead, try placing them sensitively up Instead, try placing them sensitively up

and down on the plane, to avoid and down on the plane, to avoid monotony.monotony.

BAD GOOD

Avoid unrelated objects placed Avoid unrelated objects placed randomly around the picture plane…randomly around the picture plane…or placing objects all by them selvesor placing objects all by them selvesIt becomes confusingIt becomes confusing

Consider overlapping them…creates Consider overlapping them…creates unity and wholenessunity and wholeness

Rhythm & Directional LinesRhythm & Directional Lines

A good composition has rhythm…A good composition has rhythm…directional lines too!directional lines too!

Draw the viewerDraw the viewer’’s eye around the s eye around the whole page…whole page…

BalanceBalance

A good composition has balance…A good composition has balance… It does NOT have to be symmetrical It does NOT have to be symmetrical

(actually, that gets boring)(actually, that gets boring)Want it all to Want it all to ‘‘equal outequal out’’

REMEMBER-REMEMBER-----

These are NOT set rules…..These are NOT set rules…..Treat them as GUIDELINES and try to Treat them as GUIDELINES and try to

consider them as you set up your consider them as you set up your artworksartworks