Top centric compositions | 2 exercises | Painting & Drawing

More in the Composition series to come!
Original watercolours available www.marionchapmanartist.com/
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Marion Chapman is an artist & art educator specialising in watercolour & printmaking. Marion’s latest prizes include: Winner, Printmaking, Royal Easter Show and Winner, Irodori Watercolour Prize, Japan.
Composition in Art, Painting, and Drawing explores the structured arrangement of elements within a piece of visual art. The composition is the fundamental structure that governs how an artwork's components-such as lines, shapes, colors, and forms-are organized, guiding the viewer's eye and creating a sense of harmony and balance. It is a crucial aspect of visual arts, whether in painting, drawing, or other mediums.
*1. Understanding Composition in Art*
Composition is an essential element in visual arts because it dictates the flow and balance of an artwork. Artists use composition to guide the viewer's gaze, create emphasis, and evoke emotional responses. It encompasses the arrangement and relationship between different elements within an artwork, such as figures, objects, colors, textures, and space.
*2. Principles of Composition*
Various principles guide composition in art. Some key principles include:
- **Balance**: Achieved when the visual weight of elements is evenly distributed within an artwork, creating a sense of stability. Balance can be symmetrical, asymmetrical, or radial.
- **Contrast**: The use of opposing elements, such as light and dark, large and small, or rough and smooth, creates visual interest and draws attention to specific areas.
- **Emphasis**: Refers to creating focal points within an artwork. Artists can use color, size, or placement to direct the viewer's attention.
- **Movement**: The sense of motion within an artwork, often achieved through lines, shapes, and the arrangement of elements to create a flow that guides the viewer's eye.
- **Unity**: Refers to the cohesion and harmony between elements, creating a sense of completeness.
- **Rhythm**: The repetition of elements creates a sense of movement or pattern.
*3. Composition in Painting*
In painting, composition is often achieved through the careful placement of subjects, the use of color and texture, and the interplay of light and shadow. Artists may use techniques like the rule of thirds, where the canvas is divided into nine equal parts, with key elements placed along these lines or intersections, creating a dynamic composition. This technique creates a sense of balance and harmony while also adding interest.
Painters also use leading lines to guide the viewer's eye through the artwork. These lines can be actual lines within the painting or implied through the arrangement of objects or figures. Additionally, painters use color to create contrast and emphasis, drawing attention to specific areas.
*4. Composition in Drawing*
Composition in drawing relies heavily on line, shape, and form. Artists use contour lines to define shapes and guide the viewer's eye, while shading and cross-hatching create depth and texture. In drawing, negative space-the area around and between subjects-is crucial for creating balance and focus. By manipulating negative space, artists can influence the composition's overall feel and impact.
Drawings often employ perspective techniques to create depth and dimension. Linear perspective, with vanishing points and converging lines, can create a sense of three-dimensionality. This use of perspective influences composition, allowing artists to direct the viewer's gaze within a drawing.
*5. The Role of Composition in Visual Storytelling*
Composition plays a critical role in visual storytelling, whether in painting, drawing, or other visual arts. By strategically placing elements and using principles like balance, contrast, and emphasis, artists can convey a narrative or emotion. The composition sets the stage for the viewer's interpretation, guiding them through the artwork's story or message.
In conclusion, composition is the backbone of visual art, painting, and drawing. It involves arranging elements to create harmony, balance, and emphasis while guiding the viewer's eye. Through careful use of principles like balance, contrast, and movement, artists can create compelling and visually appealing works that evoke emotion and tell a story.

[@SharonNolfi]

Interesting and fun approach to composition. Thanks.

[@MarionChapmanArtist]

Thanks Sharon, glad you like it

[@judyelton1695]

Hello Marion. As usual, very interesting and lovely to watch. I have actually bought most of the books you have recommended. I feel watching/listening to your tutorials has helped me to lift my watercolour journey to another level.❤

[@MarionChapmanArtist]

Hi Judy, thank you, that is wonderful to hear xx

[@MarionChapmanArtist]

Mix your own burnt sienna czcams.com/video/NpBoy0aRa2w/video.htmlsi=O0n683whbLnSoV9J
As soon as the others in this Composition series have been edited, I'll add links here