National 5 Art and Design SQA

Composition or Arrangement

Understanding Composition

• Composition refers to how elements of an artwork are arranged within the piece.
• It's important in determining the overall aesthetic and visual impact of an artwork.
• Composition can guide the viewer's eye around the artwork, leading to visual harmony.
• Effective compositional structure can connect elements in an artwork, this is otherwise known as unity.

Components of Composition

• Line: This guides the viewer's eyes to important areas of the piece, or it can be used to create rhythm.
• Shape: The use of squares, circles, triangles and organic shapes can create different effects.
• Space: Refers to the area around objects. It can be positive (filled with something) or negative (empty areas).
• Texture: Used to add depth and tactility to an artwork.
• Colour: Can affect mood and emotions, and can create emphasis in your composition.

Important Principles in Composition

• Balance can provide stability and structure to an artwork. It can be symmetrical (formal balance) or asymmetrical (informal balance).
• The Golden Ratio and Rule of Thirds are compositional tools that create pleasing visual proportions.
• Emphasis helps draw attention to a particular part of the artwork.
• Contrast creates visual interest and can highlight important elements within the composition.
• Movement refers to how the viewer's eyes move through the artwork. Strong lines can guide the movement.

Examples of Artist Composition

• Leonardo da Vinci's

  The Last Supper

  uses linear perspective and the rule of thirds to guide the viewer's eye to Jesus at the centre.
• Claude Monet often used asymmetrical balance in his Impressionist landscapes, allowing one part of the composition to dominate.
• Piet Mondrian's abstract compositions depended largely on a balance of vertical and horizontal lines.

Critical Analysis of Composition

• Analysing composition involves understanding the relationship between different elements in an artwork.
• Look for use of principles like balance, contrast, and movement in the art piece.
• Contextual factors like the time period, social environment, and artist's background can also influence the composition.
• Consider the emotional impact or message communicated through the composition.
• Focus your analysis on what makes the composition successful or unsuccessful.