Composition
A quick thumbnail sketch to work out how to create the focal point using leading lines and contrasting values. You should draw at least 4 of these before you start any artwork!
What is Composition?
Composition refers to how the artwork is put together. It is how the artist INTENTIONALLY used the elements and principles of art to create the artwork and how they arranged or organized all the different parts of the artwork.
Basic theories of composition: https://www.slideshare.net/mrsbauerart/theories-of-composition
A 6-minute video that explores more ways to create emphasis and structure in your compositions: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pyZM1AC4kk&feature=youtu.be
Why is it Important?
The placement of objects within the picture plane is not a random act, but is the result of calculated decisions. It is your job as the artist to lead the viewer into and around your composition. You must use the elements and principles of art intentionally to create your focal point, create mood, and give directional cues that will help the viewer navigate your picture. If you look at the Exhibition assessment criteria for B: Technical Competence they're looking for the effective application and manipulation of the formal qualities. This includes composition.
Planning out Your Composition
Draw about 4 or 5 thumbnail sketches (quick sketches about the size of your hand) to explore some different options for the composition. It can make a huge difference!
A 4-minute video by the Art Prof about making thumbnail sketches: https://youtu.be/pQnrWGUlFpQ
Creating Emphasis
The focal point is the centre of interest in an artwork.
There are 7 ways to create emphasis in an artwork, which will then create a focal point for your work:
Placement (using a compositional structure - see examples below)
Contrasting color
Contrasting size
Contrasting shape
Contrasting texture
Isolation from the other elements
Cropping an image (see explanation below)
Cropping an image
Cropping is the act of cutting away unnecessary or unwanted portions of an image to help focus the viewer’s attention and even help tell a story.
Overlapping
By placing objects slightly over one another, this will get the viewer's eye to move from one element to another and it builds a relationship between objects. It also creates a sense of depth in the artwork. Objects should never touch each other by the edges (no 'kissing'!) - overlap them so it looks intentional.
Liu Ling
Horizontal, Vertical and Diagonal Lines
Planning an artwork so it has strong horizontal, vertical or diagonal lines will help to create a particular mood in the piece. They can also be used as 'Leading Lines' to lead the eye towards the focal point of the artwork:
Horizontal compositions give a feeling of stability and calmness to the viewer. Horizontal is flat. Horizontal is peaceful, restful. We are horizontal when we lie down... and also when we are dead. It can be boring or tranquil, bucolic, calming. Rarely dramatic. It goes on and on, implying space beyond the frame.
Vertical compositions can be dramatic, awe-inspiring, or threatening. Vertical objects like Trees, Light Poles, Buildings, etc are perceived as strong because they stand against the gravitation force; we know that anything that is not horizontal is bound to fall due to gravity. Vertical composition helps to give a feeling of strength to the image and also emphasizes the height of the objects that are most often lost in horizontal composition. We tend to scan the image left to right but the vertical compositions force us to look at the image top to bottom making it more enticing to the viewer.
Diagonal compositions are great for creating a dynamic design. They create tension, and thus a visual interest, in a painting that is different from horizontal and vertical lines. An example of this design technique is shown in the painting by Paul Cezanne, entitled “Bathers”. He apparently was aware of using the diagonal lines of the bathers' bodies to create a very strong composition. The diagonal direction also was accentuated in the tree trunks above the bathers.
Simon Kaan - a great example of using horizontal lines to create a sense of peacefulness and calm.
Composition structures
Using a structure for your composition is simply a method of arranging the elements in a composition. Think of the structure like a skeleton in an animal or person... it's the bones that the shape of the animal is built on. There are many types of structures (more than the 6 listed here), but these are the main ones:
1. Rule of Thirds
The picture plane is divided into thirds, both horizontally & vertically, and the lines intersect at four points. These are called focal points. The center of interest is placed at one of the points.
Paul Cezanne
2. Triangle
The main objects are arranged roughly in a triangle or pyramid.
3. L-Shape
Commonly used in landscape compositions. The main object, subject, or vertical mass lays heavily on one side and the bottom has a horizontal base forming the “L” composition. The composition generally is not only of one object but of many together that form the strong “L” shape. The focal point can the main vertical object on the side, or it can be in the open space created by the “L”. Because of the strong vertical and horizontal lines of this type of composition it creates a sense of peace and tranquility.
Gustav Klimt
4. S-Shape
Also common in landscapes. In this design, you create a winding line, preferably with most of the twist toward the bottom of the painting. This offsets the painting’s design, and the S-shape will draw your eyes into it. You can use it to guide a viewer’s eyes through the painting. The composition is fluid and graceful. This is a perfect composition structure for landscape paintings where a river or a road flow through it. The focal point is often at the end of the “S”.
Linda Schweitzer
5. O-Shape
For this type, you draw your subjects, objects, values, and lines to form an “O.” Your focal point goes in the center of the “O.”
Liubov Popova
6. Diagonal (also called the 'Golden Triangle')
The main composition is drawn along a strong diagonal line (blue line) going from one corner to the opposite diagonal corner. From that, extending out, often at 90 degrees from that main diagonal, are lines to the other corners (red lines). The focal point is where the intersecting lines meet.
7. Grid
The grid forms the foundation of many artworks and sometimes it is so well hidden that you don't notice the underlying grid until someone happens to mention it, but in other pieces it is very obvious.
Colin McCahon
Point of View
Consider painting the object from a different perspective, rather than at eye view. A distorted, foreshortened viewpoint can make your composition much more exciting, and can even help to tell a story. For example, imagine what the object would look like from a bird's eye view, or if it was gigantic and you were looking up at it (worm's eye view).
Jenny Saville
This student from Singapore loves to play with different points of view in his compositions:
https://www.studentartguide.com/featured/ap-studio-art-drawing-portfolio
Look how much stronger and more interesting his second composition is:
(images taken from Student Art Guide)
Good Composition in Photography - Feb 27, 2016 1:54:20 PM