Composition Project

Lesson Objective:  To Make you aware of the entire picture plane and space that surrounds and object.

Composition:

“Composition is the placement or arrangement of visual elements or ingredients in a work of art, as distinct from the subject of a work. It can also be thought of as the organization of the elements of art according to the principles of art.”

The Picture Plane

 

In a painting the picture plane refers to the flat surface of the canvas or the physical material onto which the paint is applied. In our project the 9x12 construction paper is our picture plane.

You will create 6 designs which will produce the effect of :

1. Falling Motion
2. Rest/Calm
3. Tension
4. Rhythm
5. Balance/Stability
6. Importance

These are “Abstract” concepts, but they can be effectively communicated with simple shapes.

An example of "Importance"

Procedure

1. We will only be using 1x1” gray , white or black squares.
2. You must use a minimum of 6 squares or a maximum of 20.
3. Background paper can be gray, white or black.
4. Squares may touch the edge of the picture plane.
5. Except for “Falling/Motion” and “Tension”, all squares must be parallel to the picture plane.
6. You may use “ONE” colored square in “Importance”
7. Secure the squares with a glue stick.
8. Please label the back of each composition with the word it illustrates, and your NAME. Use a white pencil if your background is black.
9. You must complete all 6 compositions or you will receive a 55. (incomplete)

Some Last Thoughts

• Remember you can create any of the above effects not only with position, but with the color of the paper selected.

• Which neutral is restful? Gray, White or Black?

• You will want to use the “whole” picture plane. Avoid creating a “fish tank” composition. By having objects touch the edge, we create the illusion that something is going on beyond the edge of the picture plane.

• Avoid placing all the squares to the left or right. Think about how the image is balanced.
• Symmetrically
• Asymmetrically
• Radially

• Contrast creates tension. Which colors would you put together to create contrast.

• You can use one color square in your emphasis composition. Which color stands out the best?

Grading

I will be evaluating your work in three different ways.

1. Understanding - Do you understand the basic idea behind creating a balanced composition.? Does your image use the whole picture plane? Do objects float in the picture plane or does it appear that something happens beyond it?
2. Creativity - Do you use the obvious solution with a minimal amount of squares, or do you communicate your idea in a new and original way?
3. Craftsmanship - Is your work clean of glue and pencil marks? Are your squares correctly sized. (not rectangles) Have you correctly followed the project procedures?