Elements of Composition“The artist does not draw what he sees, but

what he must make others see.” -Edgar Degas

Theodore Gericault

Line & Shape

Alfred Leslie

Theodore Gericault

- Organizational lines create a loose skeleton to build a composition.

- Circular and triangular shapes create closed compositional forms, and can lead the eye by design.

Focal points• Organization of shape and line can create focal points to draw the eye.

Carravaggio

Emphasis• Value changes in color (value/intensity) and lighting (dramatic changes) create visual emphasis.

Emphasis can also be created through compositional placement, and compositional isolation.

Odd Nerdrum

Gustav Klimt

Lighting and color emphasis

Alex Ross Sandy Skoglund

Winslow Homer Jan Vermeer

Emphasis by placement

Norman Rockwell

Jasper Johns Dave McKean

Patterns & Grids• Repetition of shape/line/color/value creates visual pattern.

• Grids are the base of organization in all design.

• A grid can be used to create containment, continuity, and unity.

Amnesty International poster

Grid

Pattern

Gustav KlimtThe above image also

works within a grid.

Louise NevelsonChuck Close

Leo & Dianne Dillon

Visual Rhythm• Visual rhythm is similar to musical rhythm. Multiple units (subjects/shapes/colors/values) are presented in a

deliberate pattern

Marcel Duchamp Gary Kelly

Language and image as poetry

Symmetrical balance• Occurs when shapes are mirrored on either side of an axis. These shapes are most often identical.

Ansel Adams

Albert Paley

Asymmetrical balance• Creates equilibrium among visual elements that do not mirror each other. These shapes are

often dissimilar. Depending on the degree of asymmetry, the resulting design may be stable, dynamic (energetic), or chaotic.

Gary Kelly

Asymmetrical balance

Piet Mondrian

Balance and the psychological effects

• Balance and Imbalance can be used to manipulate a viewer.

Tilting the picture plane, distorting shapes, and utilizing symmetrical or

Asymmetrical design can create organization or chaos.

Eric Fischl Dave McKean

Scale & Proportion• Scale and Proportion greatly effect compositional balance and emotional impact. Proportion

refers to the relative size of visual elements within an image. Scale generally refers to the size of a form when compared with our own human size.

Proportion Thomas Cole

Albert Bierstadt

Scale

Claus Oldenburg Frank Lloyd Wright

Compositional Considerations

• Begin with a grid layout, and abstract basic shapes.

• Look at successful artists and how they design their work.

• Focal point as a start in design.

• Variety of large and small shapes.

• Unity of color, lighting, pattern.

• Balance both positive and negative shapes.• Dominant and sub dominant subjects.

• Check visual balance in starting & mid-way through

Be it realism or abstraction… Painting, Architecture, Graphic Design, Photography, or sculpture…These are the building blocks.