1. Unit 5- Composition (Principles of Design)
Part I: The Principles of Design

2. Unit 5- Composition (Principles of Design)
Unit 5 Objectives:
Demonstrate understanding of previously learned concepts and techniques (Elements of Art)
Explain the differences between a “drawing” and a “composition”
Analyze and demonstrate how the Principles of Design can be used to successfully arrange a composition
Consider the viewer when arranging a composition
Identify what makes a composition successful or unsuccessful
Cave painting from France

3. Unit 5- Composition (Principles of Design)
What is a “Composition?”
Any piece of artwork where the Elements of Art are arranged according to the Principles of Design
Cave painting from France

4. Unit 5- Composition (Principles of Design)
The Artistic Process
Elements of Art:
Tools the artist uses to create an artwork (Line, Shape, Color, etc.)
Principles of Design:
Techniques the artist uses to arrange the Elements in an interesting, purposeful way
Composition:
The finished artwork
Cave painting from France

5. Unit 5- Composition (Principles of Design)
The Artistic Process- Analogies
Analogy #1:
The Elements of Art are like cooking ingredients
The Principles of Design are how the chef decides to use the ingredients
A Composition is like the finished, yummy meal
Cave painting from France

6. Unit 5- Composition (Principles of Design)
The Artistic Process- Analogies
Analogy #2:
The Elements of Art are like raw construction materials
The Principles of Design are strategies the builder uses to put them together
A Composition is like the finished construction (a bench, a house, etc.)
Cave painting from France

7. -6 strategies used to arrange a
THE
PRINCIPLES
OF DESIGN
-6 strategies used to arrange a
successful composition

8. BALANCE
MOVEMENT
EMPHASIS
Repetition
Rhythm/
Contrast/
Variety
UNITY

9. BALANCE
Balance is a feeling of visual equality in a work of art.  Objects, values, colors, textures, shapes, forms, etc., can be used in creating a balance in a composition. A tried and true method of establishing balance in a composition is using the Rule of Thirds.

10. Balance- Rule of Thirds
Arrange your composition with an imaginary tic-tac-toe grid on top, and place important elements along the lines and at the intersections (called “power-points”)
This technique is also popularly used in photography

11. Balance- Rule of Thirds
The goal is create a balance in your composition, and to create a flow throughout, so the viewer looks around
If you place an important element in the center of the grid, it should look purposeful, and be spatially dead-center

12. Balance- Symmetrical
When an artwork is almost a mirror image on both sides so that it can maintain equal "weight.” You can imagine where the line of symmetry would appear to divide the composition into two sides:

13. Balance- Asymmetrical
When an artwork is not a mirror image on both sides, but still maintains the illusion of equal "weight” through the arrangement of the elements in such a way that they balance each other out and create “visual comfort” for the viewer.

14. Balance- Radial
When all elements radiate out from a central point in a circular fashion. This type of balance can create “emphasis” on the central point.

15. EMPHASIS
The part of the composition that catches the viewer’s attention. Also called a “focal point.” The artist can create the illusion of one part of the artwork standing out by arranging the elements of art in a specific way.

16. Emphasis
It is where the viewer’s eye will travel to first. Attempt to place your emphasis along one of the power-points on the rule of thirds grid, instead of right in the center of the composition. It will be more unexpected.
Emphasis/
Focal Point

17. Emphasis
Where is the emphasis in this Kandinsky painting? How did he use the Elements of Art to create Emphasis?

18. Contrast/
Variety
Contrast / Variety refers to the arrangement of opposite elements (like light vs. dark values, rough vs. smooth textures, large vs. small shapes, etc.)

19. Contrast
Which element is contrasted in this artwork? How does it effect the visual interest? Which version of the artwork do you prefer, and why?

20. Contrast
How did Mondrian create contrast? Which Elements have variety?
Piet Mondrian, Three Musicians, 1921
Oil on Canvas

21. Contrast
Try to create a strong visual contrast between any of the 7 elements of art:
Different values (highlights vs. shadows)
Varying textures (rough vs. smooth)
Different types of colors (warm vs. cool hues, tints vs. shades, bright vs. dull)
Varying shapes and forms (large vs. small, geometric vs. organic)
Varying line weights (thick vs. thin, straight vs. curvy)
Areas of space (positive vs. negative)

22. MOVEMENT
Movement is the path the viewer’s eye takes through an artwork, often beginning and ending with focal points. Such movement can be directed by using the elements of art.

23. Movement
Vincent Van Gogh, The Starry Night

24. Movement
Henri Matisse, The Dance, 1910
Painting

25. Repetition/
Rhythm
The repetition of any elements of art creates a feeling of rhythm within the artwork. This is a very specific principle of design that cannot be found in every artwork.

26. Repetition / Rhythm Charles Demuth, The Figure 5 in Gold, 1928
Painting

27. Repetition / Rhythm
Piet Mondrian, Composition with Red, Yellow and Blue, 1921
Painting

28. UNITY
Unity is the feeling of harmony between all parts of the artwork creating a sense of completeness! This can be done by using similar elements that appear to work together harmoniously.

29. Unit 5- Composition (Principles of Design)
Game- Discussing the Principles of Design
You will play the game against the people at your table. Each table will get an art print, and six slips of paper with a Principle of Design on each
Whoever goes first (Player 1) will assign a Principle of Design to the player to their left (Player 2).
Player 2 will try to describe how the Principle was used (or not) in the artwork. If they can do so successfully, they get 1 point.
If they can’t do so, Player 1 can try to use the Principle correctly and get a point.
If a player uses a Principle correctly, they keep it (1 point).
If neither player can use it correctly, it goes back into the pile.
Player 2 will then assign one of the remaining Principles to the player to their left (Player 3). So on, and so forth.
Once all 6 have been used, they should be placed back in the center of the table, and another art print will be selected by the player who won that round.
Cave painting from France

30. Part 2: Observational Drawing (Still-lifes)
Composition
Part 2: Observational Drawing (Still-lifes)

31. Unit 5- Composition (Principles of Design)
“Drawing Study” vs. “Composition”
This is an Observational Drawing Study:
Marks made on a two-dimensional surface so as to create an image of some kind. (Using the Elements of Art)
This is Still-life Composition:
The placement or arrangement of visual elements or ingredients in a work of art (The organization of the Elements of Art according to the Principles of Design)
Cave painting from France

32. Unit 5- Composition (Principles of Design)
“Drawing Study” vs. “Composition”
Which is which?
One artwork is an observational drawing study- the artist focused on successfully using the Elements of Art
One artwork is a still-life composition- the artist focused on arranging the elements of art in a purposeful, interesting way, with the Principles of Design
Cave painting from France
Composition Drawing Study

33. Unit 5- Composition (Principles of Design)
Things to keep in mind…
For any artwork to become a successful composition, you should be consciously thinking about how to use the Principles of Design, instead of just trying to draw/paint/sculpt something accurately
Using the Principles of Design will make your artwork look finished and more professional.
You may stumble upon a good realistic composition without having given it much thought. If your first few projects in this class were successful, they will probably look like finished compositions.
But a true artist considers the impact their artwork will have on a viewer.
Cave painting from France

34. Unit 5- Composition (Principles of Design)
Still-life Compositions
Foreground-
The part of a composition that is nearest to the viewer (usually the lowest area of the page)
Middle-ground-
The space located between the foreground and background in a composition.
Background-
The part of a composition that is furthest from the viewer (usually the highest area of the page)
Background
Middle-ground
Foreground

35. Unit 5- Composition (Principles of Design)
Still-life Compositions
Objects do NOT all have to fit on the page!
It’s very common for artists to create a still life drawing where objects exit at least 2, 3, or 4 sides of the page, especially if there are a lot of objects. This creates Balance and Movement.

36. Unit 5- Composition (Principles of Design)
Still-life Compositions
Using a Viewfinder-
A viewfinder is a piece of thick paper or board cut into a small frame with the same proportions as your paper. You can use it to arrange how your still-life will appear on the page.
Video (1:15)- Using a viewfinder to arrange a composition
Cave painting from France