1.2: Compositional Concepts
- Page ID
- 341301
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)Composition, the arrangement of elements and principles within an image, is a crucial factor in the success of a drawing. Since the arrangement of elements significantly impacts the outcome, it is best to plan the overall composition before making marks on the final surface. A well-executed composition requires careful planning and deliberate choices to effectively convey the artist's intent.
When drawing, pay careful attention to composition and design principles. Arrange elements such as lines, shapes, colors, and textures thoughtfully to communicate a story or evoke emotions. This arrangement guides the viewer's gaze and influences the interpretation and emotional response, making it a crucial aspect of the process
Thumbnail Sketching
A thumbnail drawing is a small preliminary sketch that artists create in the early stages of their artwork to plan the layout and composition of the image. These sketches are usually done quickly and are not highly detailed, and they are typically small and proportional to the final drawing surface. Artists often make multiple thumbnail drawings to test different compositional arrangements, allowing artists to compare the sketches and decide on the best one for their final composition. Creating thumbnails is an important step of the drawing process and should not be skipped for finished drawings, as planning is a crucial part of drawing success. It allows artists to make important decisions
about the arrangement of subjects within the picture before moving on to the final drawing, ensuring a more cohesive and well-structured final piece.
Thumbnail Sketch"
AI-generated image, DALL-E 4.0, 2024, by
Kristen R. Kennedy
Positive and Negative Space
When creating drawings, artists must effectively manage the space within the picture plane. The areas of interest within a drawing are called positive space, while the areas surrounding these are known as negative space. Positive and negative spaces work together to define the overall composition. To illustrate the concept, consider an image where one might see a vase or two faces. If you perceive the white space as the positive space, you see the vase; if you perceive the black space as the positive space, you see the faces. Both positive and negative spaces work together to create a cohesive composition, regardless of how the image is interpreted. Artists can arrange areas of positive and negative spaces to influence the composition of a drawing. For example, a balanced composition may feature equal areas of positive and negative space, while another might be dominated by one or the other. There are no strict rules for balancing these spaces; the allocation of space is entirely up to the artist. Consider a composition mostly filled with positive space, affecting the drawing's overall impact. Conversely, a composition dominated by negative space can also create a strong visual effect. Ultimately, the thoughtful arrangement of positive and negative spaces is a crucial aspect of effective composition in a drawing.
Strategic Ideas in Composition
Directing Attention: Good composition can control where people look first and how they look through the artwork, ensuring the artist's main message or story is conveyed.
Visual Harmony: Visual harmony is about making the artwork feel stable and harmonious so that no single part overpowers the rest. This can be done using the principle of balance, symmetrically (like a mirror image) or asymmetrically, creating an interesting but balanced look.10
Setting the Mood: How an artwork is arranged can affect our feelings. A crowded scene might feel tense, while a more open space might feel calm.
Narrative: Composition helps to unfold a story within a picture, highlight connections between elements, and add a sense of motion or development.
Engaging the Viewer: A well-planned composition draws people in, encouraging them to explore the artwork more profoundly and find hidden details.
Meaning and Symbolism: The placement of elements can suggest different meanings and ideas, such as the relationship between objects, their importance, or an overall theme.11
"Faces to Vase-Positive and Negative Space" by Kristen R. Kennedy is licensed
Visual Elements: Building Blocks of Art
To create powerful art compositions, artists must grasp the foundational visual elements and use them in a drawing to produce engaging and meaningful artwork.
Line: A line is a moving point that creates a path. Lines vary in length, width, direction, and character and define shapes, convey movement, and evoke emotions. Their direction and placement impact the composition's dynamics and mood.
Shape: Shapes are enclosed areas in two dimensions:geometric (circles, squares) and organic (irregular forms). They determine the layout and balance of artwork and can be arranged to generate patterns, express significance, or establish subjects and objects.
Form: In art, form is created using light and shadow to give objects a three-dimensional appearance. Drawing forms help artists create realistic and engaging pieces.
Texture: Texture is the surface quality of objects, conveying their tactile characteristics. Mark-making techniques can imply texture, adding richness and complexity to surfaces and enhancing realism.
Value: Value in art is the contrast between light and dark tones, creating depth, volume, and form while conveying mood and enhancing visual impact.
Color: Color is created by light reflecting and seen by the human eye. It includes hue, saturation, and value. In drawing, color conveys emotion, symbolism, and mood. Artists use color strategically to enhance their artworks' visual appeal and communicative power.
Space: Space refers to the area between objects, which can be positive or negative. Artists use it to create depth and perspective.12
“7 Visual Elements” by Kristen R. Kennedy is
licensed https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.en