2. Silhouettes

2

Harmony in compositions

A compositional scheme is made up of the lines and directions of the main elements of the composition. We generally aim for harmony, order and proportion, but a perfect balance is aesthetically monotonous and too common. That is why we often substitute or counterbalance elements, leave blank spaces or avoid the centre. Along with the golden ratio, the most commonly used rule for spatially distributing the elements of a work is the rule of thirds. If we divide a rectangle into nine parts using two horizontal parallel straight lines and two vertical parallel straight lines, and we position the points of interest at the intersection of some of these lines, the composition will be more harmonious. UNDERSTAND, THINK AND APPLY… Create a composition by following the rule of thirds. Cut out elements from magazines or printed images and try making different compositions with them, placing the elements you feel are the most important at the points where the lines intersect. Finish the composition by giving it balance using other drawn shapes and colour.

You will need... Scissors, glue, graphite pencils, colours, markers, water-based paints, magazine cut-outs.