Join Mary Jane Begin for an in-depth discussion in this video Creating visual balance in an image, part of The Elements of Composition for Illustrators.
- When you think about balance,…you might think about two people on either end of a seesaw.…Visual balance is the arrangement of objects in a design…as it relates to their weight within a composition.…Weight in a visual, like varying weights on a seesaw,…can cause a composition to feel unbalanced…if there's too much weight on one side…and not enough on the other.…The tension of an imbalanced illustration will usually…project the viewer right out of the picture.…As we want to keep the viewer in the illustration,…let's take a look at the properties…that keep visual weight in an image.…
Visual weight is determined by size,…value,…color,…density,…and negative or white space, the space between elements.…Our interest in an image tends to be drawn,…by default, to the visual center of the image.…The visual center of any page is just…slightly above and to the right of the actual center.…This tends to be the natural placement of our focus,…unless we are attracted to elements…that are larger,…darker,…more vibrant,…or densely packed with elements…
AuthorMary Jane Begin
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.
Then share what you've learned with the lynda.com community. Take the three challenges Mary Jane issues in the course and post your results to Facebook and Twitter, using the hashtag #learnatlynda. We can't wait to see your illustrations!
- 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
Skill Level Beginner
1. Basics of Composition
Framing your field of view3m 15s
2. Shaping the Composition
3. Creating Compositional Unity
4. Exploring Movement
5. Directing the Eye
6. Finalizing the Format
7. From Concept to Finished Art
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