|
About composition of paintings and images, common mistakes, pop-ups,
image parts, rhythm, variation, cuts, dynamic and balance.
Art School
|
Bull's eye – dynamic in the composition
Bulls-eye is an effect when an important part of an image is
brought to the centre through two imagined diagonal lines. Important
objects should not be placed over these two lines. A dynamic composition
is achieved if you place important objects so that their centre
of gravity is not in the middle of, or on, these two lines.
Focus in the middle or on the two diagonal lines = static composition.

Focus on the sides of the diagonal lines = more dynamic.


Example: Vermeer (1632-1675)
Vermeer’s painting is interesting
since it contains both a static and dynamic composition. If you
analyse the parts of the image you can see that the background is
static and the foreground is dynamic.
Similar and different
Different shapes can sometimes need a similarity to relate to
in order to become interesting. (keeps the image to a whole)



Example: Pieter Bruegel (1525-1569) |
Pop-up annoys
When it comes to composition, one should move from depicting
to creating an image. Various motifs should be used to create a
whole. It is all about allowing shapes and forms to become ”actors”
in a play where you tell your own story. What is important is the
story you have got to tell rather than the motif.
A way to see if the various parts are not in harmony is to squint
your eyes and focus on the main object. You will then be able to
see which parts and colours are not in balance with the image as
a whole. Alternatively some artists regularly use a mirror to view
the painting they are working on.

Example: Vermeer + addition.
No interesting focus point
If there is no focal point in the image the eye will keep shifting
its gaze without finding anything. Contrast, colours or composition
is a means to avoid this problem. There are paintings when this
is not of interest like for example monochromic or certain abstract
works of art.

Example: Paul Gaugin (1848-1903)
Wrong balance
You can get unwanted effects if you are not observant of the
balance in the composition. A symmetrical composition can be seen
as parted and therefore not be connected in the image. There are
paintings when this is not relevant such as some abstracts. You
need to pay attention to the composition so that is does not counteract
what you are trying to achieve.



Example: Claude Monet (1840-1926)
|
Common mistakes and pitfalls
Here we will show you some common mistakes and give you advice
on creating images. It is here to help create possibilities
for problem solving. Within all art areas there are also artists
who have done the opposite with successful results. You should not
see these as rules, but rather like tools to use to achieve what
you want.
Landscape by the meter
When painting landscapes it is important to avoid creating a
pattern by the meter, something that lacks significance. It would
make no difference if it was shifted a bit to the right or the left,
a sign of unawareness in the images.
Landscape by the meter.

Landscape with a deliberate pattern.

Rhythm – variation
When drawing objects which have similarities you should strive
to achieve a variation in shapes, size and colour. The following
example shows how you can achieve this type of variation.



|