2.3: Arrangement of Your Drawing Composition
- Page ID
- 341451
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)Arrangement of Your Drawing Composition
In observational drawing, composition is arranging elements to capture the viewer’s attention and communicate the artist’s vision. This section delves into various techniques for enhancing the composition of observational drawings.
Making and Using a Viewfinder
A viewfinder is a simple yet powerful tool for framing and composing your drawing. It helps you isolate and focus on specific parts of your subject matter.: A viewfinder, often a simple cardboard frame, acts like a window, cropping the world to a manageable size. Its construction is straightforward: two L-shaped cardboard strips that can slide to adjust the window size. A viewfinder can also be made with a small rectangular cardboard cutout or stiff paper.
"Viewfinder" by Kristen R. Kennedy is licensed CC BY 4.0.
The viewfinder helps artists isolate scenes and elements, simplifying the complex visual world into more digestible segments by moving it closer or further from the eye or by adjusting its size. Hold it at arm’s length or close to your eye to frame distinct parts of your subject. This allows you to experiment with various compositions quickly without altering your drawing. This tool teaches the importance of selective focus, allowing artists to concentrate on composition without distraction.
Using a Camera as a Viewfinder for Drawing
In the digital age, a camera, particularly the one on your smartphone, is a practical viewfinder. The camera lets you try different compositions quickly by zooming in and out or moving around the subject. Be mindful of the lens's potential distortion, especially with wide-angle lenses.
Thumbnail Sketches: A Visual Shorthand
Thumbnail sketches are about capturing the essence of the scene in miniature. They are quick, rough, and not meant for details but for planning composition, value, and forms. These sketches are miniature versions of your plan for a larger drawing. Artists use these sketches to try different arrangements, perspectives, and value contrasts before committing to a full-scale drawing. They are a low-risk way of exploring creative options and establishing a clear vision for the final piece.
Pencil Measuring
This technique involves using a pencil held at arm's length as a measuring stick to compare sizes and distances within the subject. The pencil measuring technique is used to achieve accurate proportions in your drawings. Hold your pencil at arm’s length, aligning it with parts of your subject. Use your thumb to mark measurements on the pencil. Artists can achieve accurate proportions and spatial relationships by translating these real-world measurements into a drawing. This technique reinforces the discipline of careful observation, ensuring that the drawing is not just a representation but a study of relative sizes and distances.
Observation of Light Upon Objects: Chiaroscuro and Light-Related Phenomena
Chiaroscuro - The Dance of Light and Dark: This Renaissance-era technique involves the dramatic use of light and shadow to give three-dimensional form to objects. Observational drawing benefits from this approach by creating a more lifelike and volumetric portrayal of the subject. Observing how light behaves on different surfaces, the nuances of shadows it casts, and how it defines form is crucial. This understanding helps in rendering realistic drawings that are visually compelling and rich in depth.
In summary, Composition is a critical aspect of observational drawing, offering a way to bring structure, focus, and dynamism to your art. By utilizing tools like viewfinders and cameras, engaging in preliminary thumbnail sketches, employing pencil measuring for accurate proportions, and understanding the play of light, artists can significantly enhance the impact and clarity of their observational drawings. These techniques provide a structured approach to exploring and deciding on the most compelling way to present a subject, enhancing the overall quality and expressiveness of the artwork.