Composition
Combining the various
elements into a visual
whole.
Why is composition important?
◆ The
point of a
composition is to
hold the viewer’s
eye after the initial
impact.
◆ It also causes the
viewer to see the
subject through
your eyes.
https://www.goshen.edu/art/ed/Compose.htm
Why is composition important?
“Art begins with a concept: your idea, your
interpretation of the essential qualities of a
subject. You bring the diverse factors
together by using design (a composition).”
-Nita Leland
(The New Creative Artist)
Formats
◆ Rectangular
– Portrait
– Landscape
◆ Oval
◆ Irregular
Rectangular is the
most common
format
Types of rectangular formats
◆
Portrait:
– Appropriate for faces,
figures, tall buildings,
and other vertical
structures
– Interesting balance
would not place our
subject in the middle
of the paper, but rather
off-center.
http://www.wikiart.org/en/charles-demuth/aucassin-and-nicolette-1921
Types of rectangular formats
◆
Landscape:
– Appropriate for
landscapes, a figure
laying down, and any
other subject that
appears to be
horizontal in nature.
– The horizon line
placed directly in the
middle of the paper
would be symmetrical
(boring). Instead place
it in the upper or lower
third.
http://www.johnlovett.com/morsund.htm
Golden Mean/Proportions
◆ Begins
with a simple mathematical pattern
called the Fibonacci Sequence.
– 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, etc....
This is a pattern that is found visually in nature
in flower petals, pine cones, shells, leaf
arrangements,
Golden Mean/Proportions
◆ The
Golden Mean is a method of
organizing our artwork and its proportions
in geometric patterns. These geometric
patterns are found in nature in flowers,
shells, and various other natural objects.
They also make our artwork seem more
unified and balanced, creating interest for
the viewer.
Rule of Thirds
◆
To simplify this
concept we will work
with the Rule of
Thirds. The rule of
thirds will serve the
same purpose as the
Golden Mean, but is
easier to understand
for the beginner.
Focal Point
Focal point – center
of interest, the first
place that the viewer
looks on a painting.
◆ Artists use the “sweet
spots” indicated by
the intersections of
the lines in the rule of
thirds to choose an
appropriate
placement for their
focal point.
◆
Focal Point
◆
The focal point is
rarely in the center
of a composition
and never at the
edge of the
composition.
http://emptyeasel.com/2008/11/11/the-focal-point-debate-should-everypainting-have-a-focal-point/
Dominance/Emphasis
◆
◆
http://principles-of-design.weebly.com/dominance.html
Emphasis – The most
important principle, which
used to attract attention
to a certain area/object
and communicate your
idea to the viewer more
clearly.
Not all elements and
principles are necessary
in every composition. But
one will be more
important (dominant).
Balance
Symmetry is boring
and draws less
interest from the
viewer.
◆ An asymmetrical
design is unevenly
divided, but are still
balanced. The variety
between the two
sides of the
composition create
interest for the viewer.
◆
http://spiritualdirection.com/2014/09/
30/st-jerome-bethlehems-church-stcatherine
http://richardhooker.com/sites/worldcultures/C
HING/OPIUM.HTM
Movement
◆
Visual movement –
directs the viewer’s
eye around the
composition, as well
as controlling the
speed the viewer of
the eye around the
composition.
Breakdown of Space
◆
Don’t just think about
your composition as a
flat surface, but
remember to use the
middleground and
background also.