easy composition

easy composition

Here are some easy composition guidelines to use when you are composing your paintings.

Learn to create appealing paintings that draw the viewer into the painting and keep them there.

As an artist you don't have to copy nature or photographs. You have an artistic license to change and rearrange the elements of your painting.

what is the rule of thirds?

The rule of thirds is the easiest and simplest way to compose pleasing paintings.

how do we use the rule of thirds?

Divide your painting surface into thirds, both horizontally and vertically. Draw two lines up and down and across your painting surface.

This gives you nine equal spaces. This works when your painting is oriented either horizontal or vertical.

Place your focal point, the center of interest at one intersection.

You may use any intersection, left or right on the top or bottom.

why do you use the rule of thirds?

The focal point is never in the center of the painting.

If the focal point is dead center in the middle of the painting, it is like diving into a deep hole. It is hard for the viewer's eye to move to other areas in the painting.

See the example of my Scrub Jay painting at the right. He is located on the intersection of the thirds lines.

The viewer's eye is drawn into the painting and can freely move out around the rest of the painting.

Using The Rule Of Thirds

placing people or animals

Easy composition means placing people or animals facing into the painting. Don't have them looking out the side of the painting. Their line-of-sight will carry the viewer's eye right out of the painting.

Give them plenty of space in front of their face to look into the painting. The Jay is looking into the painting. His view directs the viewer's gaze into the painting.

The viewer's eye goes down to the central flower, around to the other flowers and back up the bird's tail. The eye is kept inside of the painting.

The flowers by the edges of the painting are softer with less contrast, so they don't distract from the focal area.

alternate method

Another easy composition method is The Rule of Center Lines.

Don't put the main subject of your painting in the center either horizontally or vertically. The RED lines mean danger.

Place the horizon line either above or below the horizontal center line.  Place any main objects to the left or right of the vertical center line.

When you put a main object on the center line, it cuts the painting in half.

Then the viewer sees two paintings instead of one cohesive painting.

Don't Put Any Main Elements On The Center Lines

variety is very important

Vary The Sizes, Shapes and Colors.

This is a very important item for easy composition.

Don't repeat sizes and shapes thru-out the painting. Have large, small and medium items in the painting, never all the same size.

The same goes for color. Don't have equal amounts of warm and cool colors.

Use your dominant color in a smaller amount. There will be larger amounts of the other colors.

In this painting the focus color is orange. Blue and yellow are the supporting colors.

Variety Is The Spice Of Life And Of Paintings

more tips for easy composition

After you position the main subjects of your painting, you are well on your way to an exciting painting. When you use variety in elements of the painting, keep a few other things in mind.

avoid geometric shapes

Shy away from using definite geometric shapes like a square, circle or triangle. They are too static and unartistic.

But what if you have a building that is rectangular, a mountain that is shaped like a triangle or a lake that is a circle?

Use your artistic license and change them. Move the view of the building to change its shape. Or camouflage it with foliage or shadows, etc. Put whoop-Dee-dos in the mountain to change its shape. Make a meandering shoreline that is not a perfect circle.

use odd numbers

Odd numbers such as three, five or seven are more pleasing to the eye.

For some reason even numbers such as two, four or six are more stagnant and unexciting to the eye.

So no matter if it is trees, rocks or apples - use odd numbers - that's easy composition.

group items

Things look better in groups or near other items.

Single items are great for the focal area. But in other areas of the painting, grouped items are more comfortable to the viewer.

avoid tangents

If items are touching each other, overlap them. Don't have them just barely touching, that's a tangent. Artists call them kissing.

Avoid objects kissing each other or kissing the side of the canvas. Overlap them somewhat and it will be more comfortable for the viewer.

watch your lines

Don't line up anything line up parallel with the edges of the painting.

Don't have a line going directly out the side of the painting, especially out of the corners. It will lead the viewer's eye right out of the painting.

What about the horizon? Break the horizon line somehow, like with a bird, a tree, a mountain to keep the eye in the painting.

In this painting the lighthouse tilts slightly to the center of the painting. The top of the lighthouse is subdued, so it doesn't lead the viewer's eye out of the painting.

Lines Are An Important Part Of Composition

Neither the lighthouse nor the horizon is on the center lines of the painting. The horizon on the right side of the canvas has less value contrast and the edges are softened to keep the viewer's eye in the painting.

above all trust yourself

You are the artist! Trust yourself. Use your artistic license.

With these easy composition guidelines you can change and move things around.

If it looks and feel right to you, it will please the viewer. And that's what it's all about.

Happy Painting!