This Composition Compendium is primarily made for drawing, painting, film and photography but works well for any other art form.

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General Information

• Just do it and keep it simple!

• Composition is in everything

  • In the pages of a book itself
  • In the pages of a sketchbook
  • In the text
  • In the characters
  • In spaces
  • In everything!

• The idea = the focal point

  • What is the message?
  • Enlarge the meaning

• Always refine your compositional idea

  • With variation through thumbnails
  • Through analysis and comparison to other work
  • Through experimentation. Change a little for a surprise!

• Regularly learn from other work in all areas of design, film, and art

• Do not follow these rules

The 3 Components of Composition

The composition is based on these three components:

Focal Element ⭐

Structure 🌿

Balance 🌊

1. Focal Element ⭐ → 2. Structure 🌿→ 3. Balance 🌊

First define the Focal Element ⭐ using the color-coded composition principles below.

Then define the Structure 🌿 and finally check the Balance 🌊 of your whole work.

The principles could work for any of these three components. So don't just blindly follow my color codes.

Take just a few of these composition principles. Sometimes two or three are enough.

As long as the eye is directed to the Focal Element ⭐, there is Structure 🌿 in the piece, and the work is Balanced 🌊, everything will be fine in the composition. Don't worry too much.

The Composition Principles

Remember: Take just a few of these!

Unity 🌿 🌊

• Pattern
• Shape
• Color
• Texture
• Variety
• Concept
• Style

Color ⭐ 🌊

• Values
• Saturation
• Hue
• Temperature

Contrast ⭐ 🌊

• Values
• Saturation
• Hue
• Textures
• Edges
• Proportions
• Line Weight

Rhythm and Pattern ⭐ 🌿

• Linear
• Repetition
• Alternation
• Line Weight

Subordination and Proportions ⭐ 🌊

• Subordination Around a Dominant Element
• Relationships Between Objects
• Size and Scale

Space 🌿🌊

• Overlapping
• Negative Space
• Size
• Level of Detail
• 30/70 Rule
• Where is The Camera?
• Perspective
• Different Points of View

Helpful Links

Do you have any useful links for me? Send them to me and I will put them here!

General

Colors