Something Big. Something Small.
Something Dark. Something Light.
I have heard art instructors condense everything about composition down to those four elements. If each work has those elements, good composition will be accomplished.
I think it’s pretty good guidance: a test to ask yourself as you are working through a composition.
But interesting compositions generally have more to them. I was looking at some recent paper collages in the studio this week and re-discovered this one: Deep Convergence. I think it has some good composition lessons.
When I look at this work, it’s pleasing to me. It looks balanced but not static. And it does have shapes that are big, shapes that are small, elements that are dark and elements that are light.
Here’s how it began:
I had created this image of limbs as a hand printed monotype on rice paper. I like the delicate intricacy of this image. It was not in a semi-circle before I started. I cut that shape to build the composition around it. And, I confess: I got the idea to do this by studying some works created by other artists whose work I like. I don’t use circular shapes a lot. I decided to try.
Now for contrast. (Light next to dark) I set the semi-circle with limbs against a darker rectangle of fabric. (It also has some interesting, but more subtle, linear elements in it.)
I wanted to carry through the element of the semi-circle. So, I cut another one but placed it upside down. Now the shapes are talking to each other. That conversation is enhanced by the screen-printed limbs black-on-olive, which connect the two semi-circles.
Now for a bit of energy.
I collaged into place a piece of fabric with hand-written text on it. I almost always like this effect. It’s neutral, but still has something going on. I stenciled the shape of the honeycomb on top of it. That provides a new small shape. And the color balances that olive green rectangle with the branches.
One more area of energy:
These strips cut from screen printed fabric have a nice lightness. The shapes are interesting. The rectangles themselves are smaller than the three big elements in the collage, and the imagery consists of more small shapes.
All the parts together:
One of the greatest things about working in collage is that you can experiment before you commit. Gather together some elements that you think may work, and move them all around your working space. Change your mind. Move them around some more. Re-order the layers back-to-front. Somewhere along the way something will say “stop!” You’ve got it.
Begin with some basic rules or guidelines (like the big-small-dark-light idea) and then experiment from that as a starting place.
And enjoy the process!
. . . .
If you’d like to learn more about Deep Convergence, it’s on my website HERE
. . . .
For all the artmakers: Happy creating
For all the art lovers: Happy appreciating
Thank you for reading. I always enjoy questions and comments.
--Bobbi
How I keep in touch:
BLOG POSTS - once a week: Mostly about what I am creating in the studio. If you would enjoy receiving blog posts by e-mail, please subscribe here: I post and send by e-mail each Sunday evening. BLOGS-BY-EMAIL
NEWSLETTER – about once a month: Mostly news of exhibits and my way of introducing new work. You’ll get FIRST LOOKS at new artwork and members-only discounts. You’ll hear from me about once a month. NEWSLETTER