Kimberly Adams - Portfolio: Beginning Composition: Tips and Techniques for Creating Well-Composed Works of Art in Acrylic, Watercolor, and Oil

Tips and techniques for creating well-composed works of art in acrylic, watercolor, and oil

NO ONE IS AN ARTIST UNLESS HE CARRIES HIS PICTURE IN HIS HEAD BEFORE PAINTING IT AND IS SURE OF HIS METHOD AND COMPOSITION.
CLAUDE MONET, FRENCH PAINTER

Have you ever looked at a painting and thought that somethingthe color, subject, or proportionsdoesnt seem right? Its not always easy to pinpoint exactly what is off in an artwork, but something will tell you that it isnt quite right. Those little subtleties are usually caused by a bad composition.

Composition refers to the placement of elements within an artwork. Artists follow certain guidelines to evoke emotion and portray a story in a piece of art. Like following the steps of a great recipe, successful composition requires understanding how much of each element to add and when to add it. If you add too much salt to your grandmothers famous soup recipe, those eating it will notice its brininess. Similarly, if you add too many elements to an artwork or the placement of the elements looks unbalanced, your viewers will most certainly notice.

Composition is a large and in-depth subject, and throughout this book, I will introduce you to many of the basics that all beginning artists should know, as well as offer a refresher for intermediate and advanced artists. This book also includes tips on how to approach planning a composition and step-by-step painting projects using reference photos. Ive incorporated the works of a few other artists as well to show how the same elements can be used with different styles and subjects.

I hope this book will help give the you the foundation needed to create artwork that portrays the story you intended. Happy painting!

Before applying paint to a canvas or putting pen to paper, its crucial to plan a starting point. Whats the story you wish to tell? The placement of each element in the painting or the subject you are drawing is key to creating a masterful work of art.

Having the right space to allow your creativity to flow is also important. Here are a few things to consider when choosing where to paint.

THE RIGHT PLACE

Youll realize the value of having a well-lit space once you start to draw or paint. Shadows and a glare from your light source can be distracting and may cause you to overcompensate the values or images in your artwork.

Choose a painting location that features a good source of natural light. Painting outside (en plein air) is wonderful. If artificial light is your only option, ensure that there is enough lighting to prevent shadows or a glare. Track lighting works well, or place several light sources in the room so that one doesnt dominate. Kitchens often come equipped with great lighting and offer the ideal space to perfect your work.

THE RIGHT MOOD

The music you listen to can affect what you paint. Several artists have told me that they like to choose a playlist or a certain kind of music that mirrors what they hope to convey through their artwork. Some artists listen to audiobooks, while others seek out quiet spaces in which to paint. Spend time considering what will help clear your thoughts so that you can fully engage with the subject of your artwork.

THE RIGHT FRAME OF MIND

I have ruined paintings by not being in the right frame of mind. Ive tried to paint while worrying about the long list of things I needed to accomplish later that day. Instead of thinking freely about what I was creating, I was distracted by what needed to get done. Not only did I not enjoy the painting experience, but I also made several errors and ultimately had to start the pieces over again.

Before starting a painting, I suggest clearing your mind by going for a walk or meditating. If that isnt needed and the process of painting can clear your mind of its everyday clutter, do a few quick sketches to get yourself in the right frame of mind before beginning your artwork.

Artist: Shelly Wilde

Tips, Tools & Materials

Various tools can be used to help plan the perfect composition, and each serves a specific purpose within art. Here are a few of my favorite tools.

GRID This quick reference guide can help you visualize the rule of thirds, or the visual guideline that divides an image using two horizontal and two vertical lines, as shown in this example. Placing the images subject where the lines meet creates a focal point that draws the viewers attention.

Artist: R St. Peter

DIY GRID When I teach painting classes, I often instruct my students to draw a grid on their canvases. One of my students came up with the clever idea to draw a grid on a plastic sleeve and place her reference photo inside. I now share this tip with all my students to help them visualize the rule of thirds.

Premade grids to help you crop your images can be purchased online and in any photography or art store. These tools are great for painting en plein air or using a reference photo.

I created the DIY grid shown from a plastic sleeve that can be purchased online or in any office-supply store. To make your own, position the plastic sleeve horizontally, and measure a third of the way from the top and the bottom. Use a ruler and a permanent marker to draw lines that separate the sleeve into thirds. Then turn the sleeve vertically and add two more lines to the grid.

NEWER SMARTPHONES COME EQUIPPED WITH AN EDITING TOOL THAT INCLUDES THE OPTION TO PLACE A GRID OVER A PHOTO AND THEN CROP IT.

PROJECTOR Before beginning a painting, artists often use a projector to show an image on a wall, canvas, or paper. This is another clever way to use technology to ensure that youve planned a strong composition before you start painting.