1. COMPOSITION

2. THE most important thing! This is one of the most important things that you can learn as an artist! This is one of the most important things that you can learn as an artist! It is the STRUCTURE OF A PICTURE – how the elements are laid out on the page. It is the STRUCTURE OF A PICTURE – how the elements are laid out on the page. How YOU select and organize lines, shapes, value, etc….AND how you use the Elements of Art and Principles of Design! How YOU select and organize lines, shapes, value, etc….AND how you use the Elements of Art and Principles of Design!

3. Image Format Portrait or Landscape Portrait or Landscape Depending on what your subject matter is, you will want to choose how to orient your paper Depending on what your subject matter is, you will want to choose how to orient your paper

4. Points of Interest – FOCAL POINT – Area of DOMINANCE You need to have one main area of focus that is like you “main idea” that you want the viewer to pay attention to You need to have one main area of focus that is like you “main idea” that you want the viewer to pay attention to Usually has more detail, more contrast, more shading, etc Usually has more detail, more contrast, more shading, etc Should be the most interesting spot in your work Should be the most interesting spot in your work

5. How do I do this? Use what you know about creating VISUAL WEIGHT – or, making something visually more important than other things on the page Use what you know about creating VISUAL WEIGHT – or, making something visually more important than other things on the page

6. 1 – Size and Complexity Large shapes are ‘heavier’ than small shapes, such that several small shapes balance one large one Large shapes are ‘heavier’ than small shapes, such that several small shapes balance one large one A complex object is ‘heavier’ than a simple one, such that one small complex object balances a large simple object A complex object is ‘heavier’ than a simple one, such that one small complex object balances a large simple object

7. 2 - Color A high intensity color is heavier than a low intensity color, such that small areas of bright color balance a large area of dull/neutral color. A high intensity color is heavier than a low intensity color, such that small areas of bright color balance a large area of dull/neutral color. Also, warm colors are heavier than cool colors Colors that are CLEAR and BRIGHT appear closer than those that are dull or blurry

8. 3 - Value Dark values are heavier than light values. Dark values are heavier than light values. Also, dark values appear closer than light values (atmospheric perspective)

9. 4 - Texture Rough texture is heavier than smooth texture. Rough texture is heavier than smooth texture. Again, things that are more textured appear to have more detail, and thus appear to be closer

10. 5 - Position A large object close to the dominant area of the work can balance a smaller object placed far from the dominant area A large object close to the dominant area of the work can balance a smaller object placed far from the dominant area An object higher on the picture plane appears to be further away An object overlapping another object appears to be closer

11. “Rules” of Composition No BULL’s EYE compositions No BULL’s EYE compositions Do NOT put things right in the middle of your page! Do NOT put things right in the middle of your page! Boring….why would we look anywhere else on the page? Boring….why would we look anywhere else on the page?

12. “Rule of Thirds” By far, the most well-known design rule By far, the most well-known design rule If you divide the paper into thirds, objects should be places where the ‘thirds’ cross. If you divide the paper into thirds, objects should be places where the ‘thirds’ cross. Again, stay away from putting things into the center of the paper! Again, stay away from putting things into the center of the paper!

13. More “rules”… Avoid dividing the picture plane in half… Avoid dividing the picture plane in half… Unequal divisions are more interesting and less monotonous Unequal divisions are more interesting and less monotonous BADGOOD

14. Avoid placing objects in a row on the page Avoid placing objects in a row on the page Instead, try placing them sensitively up and down on the plane, to avoid monotony. Instead, try placing them sensitively up and down on the plane, to avoid monotony. BAD GOOD

15. Avoid unrelated objects placed randomly around the picture plane…or placing objects all by them selves Avoid unrelated objects placed randomly around the picture plane…or placing objects all by them selves It becomes confusing It becomes confusing Consider overlapping them…creates unity and wholeness Consider overlapping them…creates unity and wholeness

16. Rhythm & Directional Lines A good composition has rhythm…directional lines too! A good composition has rhythm…directional lines too! Draw the viewer’s eye around the whole page… Draw the viewer’s eye around the whole page…

19. Balance A good composition has balance… A good composition has balance… It does NOT have to be symmetrical (actually, that gets boring) It does NOT have to be symmetrical (actually, that gets boring) Want it all to ‘equal out’ Want it all to ‘equal out’

20. REMEMBER- -- These are NOT set rules….. These are NOT set rules….. Treat them as GUIDELINES and try to consider them as you set up your artworks Treat them as GUIDELINES and try to consider them as you set up your artworks