Composition
is the placement or
arrangement of visual
elements in a work of art.
Composition is…
The word composition literally means ‘putting together’ using a
conscious thought that can be applied toward any work of art.
The composition of your art is the arrangement and placement of
visual elements. It is the visual organization that you create by
use of the principles of art.
There are numerous compositional techniques to help you
achieve unity and aesthetically pleasing artwork.
Tips for Creating a Strong Composition
Rule of Thirds
Distance Between Objects
Rule of Odds
Unoccupied & Unoccupied Space
Rule of Space
Color Temperature
Leading Lines
Repeat Colors, Shapes, and Patterns
Focal Point
Tools for Capturing Scene
Perspective & Depth
Rule of Thirds
Paul Cézanne, The Basket of
Apples, oil on canvas c. 1895
Rule of Odds
An odd number of subjects
should be included in your
work of art.
An odd number of elements
is considered more
interesting and
aesthetically pleasing to
the human eye, while an
even number often dull and
looks unnatural.
Rule of Space
Effective leading lines can invite and
encourage the viewer to enter the drawing
space, explore the focal point and linger to
investigate the composition. This creates
movement in a work of art.
Leading Lines
Margaret Keane, Home Alone (1957) oil
on canvas panel
The rule of space applies to artwork
picturing object(s) to which the artist
wants to apply the illusion of movement,
or which is supposed to create a
contextual bubble in the viewer's mind.
Carrie Mae Weems,
The Kitchen Table
Series, 1990
Johannes Vermeer,
The Music Lesson,
c. 1662–1665, Oil
on canvas
Focal Point
01
Using Color as a
Focal Point
The primary center of interest (or focus) in
and should attract the viewer’s eye.
02
Using Contrast as
a Focal Point
03
Using Size as a
Focal Point
Perspective & Depth
John Constable, The Hay Wain,
1821, oil on canvas
Creating an illusion of three-dimensions (depth and space) on a
two-dimensional (flat) surface.
●
●
●
Foreground/front
Middle ground/ middle distance
Background/Far Distance
Ai WeiWei, Forever
Bicycles, 2011
Distance
Between
Objects
Varying the
space between
the objects,
their angles,
and their sizes
all help to
make a work of
art more
interesting.
Occupied & Unoccupied Space
As artists, it is important to see the spaces
between and around the objects.
Rene Magritte, The
Flash, 1959
Janine Antoni, Eureka, 1993,
Bathtub, lard, soap, and Dorian
Tara Donovan, Untitled,
2008, polyester film, 4' x 24'
x 2' 6".
Color
Temperature
Repetition: Colors, Spaes, & Patterns
Yayoi Kusama Untitled,
1967, Oil on canvas
M.C. Escher, Relativity
Nam June Paik. TV
Eyeglasses, 1971
Tools for Capturing a Scene
01
Using a Viewfinder
02
Using a Digital Camera