The Elements of Composition for Illustrators

Understanding how to arrange the elements of a composition is critical to a successful final piece. Like the skeleton of a creature, composition is the foundation on which everything else rests.

This course will help to clarify best practices for developing any artistic or illustrated composition. Shaping the elements; marrying concept to composition; engaging the editing eye; achieving balance, unity, directional movement, and perspective; and exploring point of view and focal points are all topics covered in these lessons. Author (and professional artist) Mary Jane Begin also explores the major and minor pitfalls of a weak composition and explains the six compositional rules that lead to the best end results! See the steps in action in the final chapter, where Mary Jane designs a concept for lynda.com.

Learning objectives
Directing with lines
Designing the negative space
Creating a consistency of style
Adding movement with dynamic diagonals, edges, and contrast
Creating depth of field with perspective
Using—and breaking—the rules
Choosing a size and medium for artwork