In part II of trying to see a face in a crowd, a flower in the garden or a tree in the forest, I will examine compositional planning.
When planning a composition, I decide what will be in the focal area and I start my drawing there. Standing in the middle of the forest, I look for a play of light or a different texture to act as my focal area. I think in terms of area rather than point. The light may present itself across more than one shape. The texture may be more than one type in the given area.
When I think about other subjects, I look for the same opportunity of light or texture differences.
In the first image, the lady with the dark hair and light skin stands out from the crowd by means of the light/dark contrast. In the second image, the light on the white flowers presents a contrast with the dark foliage and a second contrast with the red flowers. In the third image, the yellow tree contrasts with its surroundings. There is also a movement of yellow texture towards the yellow tree.
If light or texture are not evident, I ask myself, “Why did I choose to do this subject?” What do I want to show? What attracted me to it? In the answer, you may discover an area to place a special light or texture.
Consider the placement of the focal area on your ground. Does it work in one of the four points of the GOLDEN MEAN? Divide your ground into thirds vertically and horizontally. There are now four intersecting points. Can your subject be placed on or near one of these points?
These pages are divided into thirds both vertically and horizontally. The points of intersection are good choices for an area of focus. Choose one.
This is another method of finding a place for the area of focus. Choose one. The point where the short line touches the long line is a right angle.
Within your composition, is there a means to move towards the area of focus? In the forest, it could be a pathway. In the garden, it could be the spaces between different beds of plants. In the crowd, it could be the movement of one hue towards the area of focus. Each of these means of movement can be interchanged – a hue moving through the forest, an opening through the crowd, spaces between different groups of people.
In this painting, there is a path of round, yellow shapes that move towards the yellow vase and white flowers. In the photo, my husband Richard is taller and stands apart with his bright red sweater.
The area of focus can be expressed with edges that are more defined.
The negative space can be used to enhance the subject at the area of focus. More detail can be used in the focal area. The white container and the dark contrast of the square container surround the bright red flowers in this painting.
Last time, color and its properties were used to express the focal area. With the above ideas added to the mix, you should be able to distinguish one tree in the forest, showplace one flower in the garden, and make one face stand out in a crowd.
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