Lesson 24: Sequential Composition Painting

Objective: To have children paint a sequential composition that guides a viewer's eyes.

Vocabulary:

balance - The way parts of an artwork work together so that the parts seem equal.

Golden Rectangle - A rectangle, divided into sections, that is used by artists to plan the composition of an artwork.

implied line - A line that is broken or has spaces, such as a dotted line or dashed line. An implied line can also be a repeated shape, repeated form, or the edge of a shape or form.

sequential composition - The arrangement of the parts of an artwork in a series of steps.

Asymmetrical Compositions

Artists use several methods to compose, or arrange, the elements in an asymmetrical artwork.

Composing with Diagonals
Artists often arrange the important elements in their artwork along invisible diagonal lines, called implied lines. Look at the asymmetrical painting Dancer on Stage by Edgar Degas. Trace with your finger some implied diagonal lines between the most brightly colored objects. Look at the implied lines diagram. How did the artist use diagonals to balance the right and left sides of the painting? How did he use color to balance the painting?

Dancer on Stage by Edgar Degas1878, pastel and gouache on paper73 cm x 77.5 cmMusee d'Orsay, Paris, France, EU

Dancer on Stage with implied diagonal lines.

Sequential Composition
Some artists arrange the elements of their compositions in a sequence, or in steps. Compare the sequential composition in Woman Playing an Instrument by Unknown Artist with the sequential composition diagram. Where is the brightest object in Woman Playing an Instrument? After that object, which do you notice next? Which do you look at last? How did the artist use contrast and color to balance this symmetrical painting?

Woman Playing an Instrument by Unknown Artistabout 1890, Japanese wood block print20" x 16"David David Gallery, Philadelphia, PA, USA

Sequential composition diagram

The Golden Rectangle
Since ancient times, artists have used the Golden Rectangle to help them compose their paintings. Look at the Golden Rectangle diagram. It is almost twice as wide as it is high. The smallest squares within the rectangle mark the area of greatest emphasis. Now look at The Long Leg by Edward Hopper. Why do you think the artist placed the boat where he did?

Golden Rectangle diagram

The Long Leg by Edward Hopper1935, oil on canvas20" x 30.25"The Huntington Library and Art Gallery, San Marino, CA, USA

Think Critically - Tell what you learned.

Studio Time: Sequential Composition Painting

Materials:

White Paper, Pencils, Watercolors, Paintbrushes, Water Bowls

Plan

Imagine an outdoor scene that includes a shoreline, water, and a horizon line. Think of figures and objects you can arrange in the scene.
Check list:
- Create an outdoor scene that takes the viewer's eyes through a sequence of steps.
- Use implied lines and color to direct your viewer where to look.

Create

As you sketch your scene, think of how you can guide the viewer's eyes across the painting in a certain order. Decide which objects you want the viewer to notice first, next and last.
Plan the colors you will use to guide the viewer's eyes from the bottom up, from the top down, or from one side to the other.

3. Use watercolors to complete your painting.

Reflect - Tell about your artwork.

Photograph and Submit your artwork on Google Classroom.

Photograph sketches as well as completed artwork.
"Add" (attach) to Google Classroom assignment.
"Mark as done" to submit your work for a grade.

Challenge: Golden Rectangle Drawing

Create a portrait, landscape, or still-life using the golden rectangle using pencil, complete with color pencil.

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