Composition (visual arts)

Composition is the plan, placement or arrangement of the elements of art in a work. The general goal is to select and place appropriate elements within the work in order to communicate ideas and feelings with the viewer.

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The primary elements of composition within a picture are:

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• The area within the picture used for the illustration.
• The perspective, relating to spatial arrangements of objects within a picture, creating depth of field or giving the illusion of dimension or depth on a two-dimensional surface.
• The line or direction followed by the viewer's eye when they observe the image.
• The value, or degree of lightness and darkness, used within the picture.

The artist determines what the points of focus of the art will be, and composes the work accordingly. The eyes of the viewer will then tend to linger over these points of focus. The illustration can be arranged in a harmonious whole that works together to produce a statement.

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Composition (visual arts): Heuristics ►