Advanced workshop: Composition

Composition is about controlling the viewers attention, balancing different elements of the image on the picture plane, and creating a feel to an image. All of this is done with the goal of the artist expressing something to the viewer.  One can work within an existing narrative such as a Greek myth or religious story, or one can create an entirely original context.

There are technical aspects of creating a competent drawing or painting. Such as being able to create a proportionally accurate drawing, understand value organization, color mixing…etc. These are each learnable crafts with specific tools and techniques associated with each of them. In This workshop we will be delving into the tools and techniques related to composition. They are equally learnable and applicable and will absolutely improve the images you create, once learned. The understanding of this artistic visual language will not only improve your own work, but will open your eyes to being able to better understand and appreciate all of the art you see in museums and throughout art history.

Things that you will learn in this workshop.

-We will be discussing and practicing how to do composition and value studies to analyze an artwork.

- Student will learn how to use composition and value studies as a tool to create and improve an image as part of the creative process of developing an original image.

-We will talk about different compositional templates, both for single figures, multiple figures, landscapes and still lives. And how these templates affect the message and feel of an image.

-We will work through a step by step process of how to develop an idea, opinion, or emotion into a compelling visual image. From concept, to thumbnails, to studies, to creating a finished work. This is central to an artist ability to express themselves effectively to the viewer.

While artwork is certainly very open to whatever the artist wants to do, there do exist compositional tools and guidelines that are recognized to help more effectively convey ideas. These are going to be the focus of this workshop.

In this workshop we will be sticking to drawing, rather than painting, as we discuss composition. We will be working within the mediums of graphite pencil, charcoal and white chalk on grey paper. Composition is a huge and complex topic. limiting ourselves to drawing will allow us to focus more on compositional elements rather than being bogged down with the added challenges presented by oil paint as an artistic medium.

Some of the artists who’s work we will be investigating are:

Andrew Wyeth,

Frank Frazetta,

Solomon J. Solomon

Michelangelo

Ilya Repin

Odd Nurdrum

And others.

I hope you have the chance to join us.

DETAILS

10, 3-hour classes

Tuesdays and Thursday evenings 5:30-7:30PM

This Workshop is $500

Art classes are more fun when shared with a friend. Bring a friend who has not taken one of our courses before and you will both receive a %10 discount off of the listed workshop price. 

TO SIGN UP FOR THIS WORKSHOP, PLEASE FILL OUT AND SUBMIT THE FORM BELOW.