Composition: Creating Balance and Focus in Your Art
“Good composition is like a suspension bridge - each line adds strength and takes none away.”
—Robert Henri
Composition is the most important aspect of creating a work of art. It is the foundation, the structure, that holds everything together. The secret lies in the way these shapes fit together to create harmony while guiding the eye towards a focal point. This will generate a particular emotion for the viewer. There are infinite ways to accomplish this, reinforcing the value of repetition in the creative process.
The best way to understand this concept is by simply creating random shapes in a sketchbook until you notice certain ones that stand out most of all. Composition is truly the art of intuition: knowing it when you seen it and that involves trusting oneself as much as anything.
I have outlined below the key principles that make a good composition work effectively.
Rule of Thirds
This corresponds to the way a drawing or painting is divided into 9 equal sections by drawing two vertical lines and two horizontal lines. The essential parts of your drawing should be situated along these lines and/or their intersections. It helps lead the eye throughout the entire image.
Marsh drawing demonstrating the rule of thirds
Balance
This corresponds to the distribution of “weight” throughout a work of art. It generates enough interest in the entire painting or drawing without detracting from the focal point. It essentially allows everything to flow together. Elements can be asymmetrical, not even, but stable in addition to being symmetrical.
Focal Point
It’s essential that every work of art have an area of greatest visual attention. This can be accomplished through contrast in value and/or color, in addition to the type of shapes, i.e., jagged vs. smooth edges.
Chris Reed, Autumn Sunrise
Leading Lines
Lines guide the eye into a drawing or painting.These “directional signals” can be represented by a river, a pathway, a road, or sunlight. Even the creases in drapery can serve the same function for a still life work. This leads the viewer’s attention towards the focal point while creating a feeling of depth as well. There are many ways to accomplish this so it’s important to keep a sketchbook for recording ideas.
Negative Space
The negative space is the area around the positive space (subject matter) that helps to define the shapes and forms in a composition. it’s important that it’s in balance with the positive sections of a work of art.
Contrasting Elements
This refers to the way lights and darks, warms and cools, and shapes contrast each other. It also helps to create the focal point as the eye will naturally be drawn to an area of extremes such as a vibrant tone next to a muted color.
Emotional Component of Composition
Composition can play a large role in shaping the way we feel. A symmetrical composition, for example, may evoke a feeling of calm and joy while a complex, chaotic painting may create feelings of tension or frustration. It’s important to consider the intention as the work evolves.
To learn more, consider enrolling in any of my next classes where I will go into all of this in more depth. Please contact me if you have any questions.
