Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Steps to Effective Composition

Steps to Effective Composition
It's a check list for design.
By Elizabeth Gilbert
I cane across this check list and thought it was a good tool to use when designing a painting.
You must learn the principles of composition before you are able to critique your work.
I hope these steps will help you make a pleasing composition for your next painting.
Spring Creek Marina, acrylic, Jean Hart Artwork
  1. Decide what you want to communicate. Know the goal you're setting out to accomplish regarding the subject and mood.
  2. Experiment with canvas or paper shapes. Instead of a horizontally oriented rectangle, try vertical formats, circles, panoramas, or even triptychs.
  3. Consider a dynamic viewpoint. Beginners are prone to recording scenes as they see them from eye level, but looking up or down on your subject can add drama and impact.
  4. Establish your focus. Avoid placing your focus in the center, instead, divide your canvas into thirds vertically and horizontally, and place your focal point on one of the four areas of intersection.
  5. break up the monotony of the picture plane by visually dividing it into sections that vary in value and hue.
  6. Lead the eye into and around the work with curves and diagonals that extend beyond the edges of the paper or canvas.
  7. Create a sense of depth by including overlapping objects and employing linear and atmospheric perspective.
  8. Emphasize the focal point using advices such as line, color, and contrast.
  9. Avoid symmetry and visual clutter.
  10. I hope you find this helpful.
  11. Be Inspired,
  12. ~jean