Lesson Composition in Art
What is Composition in Art?
Composition in art is the way in which different elements of an artwork are combined. In general, this refers to the key subjects of the artwork and how they are arranged in relation to each other.
How Can Composition Vary?
Artists have complete freedom in deciding the composition of their artwork. They might arrange elements at the center, spread them across the corners, or focus on a single dominant subject. Over time, different artistic movements have approached composition in varied ways, with what’s common today often being unimaginable in the past.
How Has Composition Changed Over the Years?
Madonna in the Meadow, 1506, by Raphael Traditionally, classical artists aimed for a triangular or pyramidal composition to create a sense of geometry within the piece. Ancient Greeks believed that art should be as perfect as possible, and as such they divided the canvas into eight equal segments to create a balanced, triangular composition. You’ll see this approach echoed in Renaissance Art, which aimed to emulate the appearance of classical art.
Mona Lisa, 1503, by Leonardo da Vinci (from public domain)The idea of composition, or arranging elements within the canvas, stayed the same even during modern art movements like Cubism and abstract art.
Convergence, 1952, by Jackson Pollock
In the late 1940s, Jackson Pollock introduced "allover composition," where elements spread across the canvas, while the older style became known as "relational composition."
In 1952, art critic Harold Rosenberg introduced the term "action painting" to describe artists who used bold, physical gestures in their work, moving beyond traditional easel painting. These artworks often feature visible brushstrokes, drips, and splashes, showing the energy and movement involved in creating them.
Barnett Newman, Cathedra, 1951. Collection of the Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam
Pollock still worked mostly within the canvas. Around the same time, Barnett Newman painted large color blocks that stretched beyond the canvas edges and left them unframed, making his work more daring. By the 1950s, Frank Stella took it further, creating compositions that completely broke out of the canvas’s boundaries.
Lanckorona I, Frank Stella, 1971.
Creating Composition
Our composition plays an important role in how our works are viewed and experienced by our audience.The elements art and principles of design are tools that let us understand how a composition was put together, and why it either looks good or doesn't. These same elements and principles can be used to describe all artwork, from the most representational to the most abstract.
Creating Focal Points in Art
A focal point is the part of an artwork that stands out and catches the viewer’s attention, usually the main subject. Every artwork should have at least one focal point.
Tips for Focal Points:
Keep it simple: Most artworks only need one focal point. If you have more, try to stick to two or three at most. One should be the main focus, and the others should support it.
Ways to Create Focal Points:
Contrast: Make something stand out by using different colors, shades, or textures.
Tight-Rope Walker, ForainIsolation: Separate the focal point from other parts of the artwork.
Bar-room Scene, William Sidney Mount, 1835Placement: Put the focal point in a strong spot, like the center or along the rule of thirds.
Although this technique works to create a strong focal point, it’s usually not the best technique to create a visually stimulating composition. When we place subjects in the center of the work, the result is typically static and boring. It’s better to place the subject slightly off center, or better yet – on one of the thirds. More on that in a moment
Self-Portrait, Vincent van Gogh, 1887Convergence: Use lines or shapes to lead the viewer’s eyes to the focal point.
Edvard Munch, The Scream (1893)Something Unusual: Add something surprising or different to grab attention.
Le Banquet", 1957 by René Magritte
