Join Mary Jane Begin for an in-depth discussion in this video Does size matter?, part of The Elements of Composition for Illustrators.
- If you create a balanced and well-executed composition,…shouldn't it work no matter what size it is?…The answer is yes and no.…It really depends on where the final image will land.…Will it be in a book, on a billboard,…your television screen or a T-shirt?…You need to consider the composition in relationship…to the size of the final output…and think about the time a viewer might have…to take in all of the information at hand,…how the shapes, lines and textures read at different sizes,…if the medium is translated well…from original art to finished form,…if size changes the message.…
If a work is being viewed in a gallery or museum,…the viewer can take all the time here she wants to,…to absorb it,…minutes or hours, depending on the viewer's attention span.…If the work is on a billboard or a banner,…the viewer is at a distance…and is likely looking at the image for only a brief period.…Simplicity and clarity of shapes…will make it easier to read.…The same can be said for motion graphics…and imagery that appears on screen very briefly.…
Author
Mary Jane Begin
Released
3/13/2015This 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
Duration
Views
-
Introduction
-
Welcome1m 22s
-
-
1. Basics of Composition
-
Framing your field of view3m 15s
-
2. Shaping the Composition
-
Seeing in shape2m 27s
-
Directing with lines3m 19s
-
Composing with text3m 14s
-
Solution: Text illustration5m 36s
-
3. Creating Compositional Unity
-
Bringing it all together2m 20s
-
Consistency of style3m 3s
-
Unifying light2m 44s
-
Combining message and medium3m 25s
-
-
4. Exploring Movement
-
Dynamic diagonals2m 1s
-
Illustrating storyboards2m 58s
-
5. Directing the Eye
-
Tracking the viewer's gaze2m 40s
-
Contrast and edges3m 20s
-
What is your focal point?2m 57s
-
Understanding point of view2m 26s
-
Avoiding common pitfalls2m 1s
-
Solution: Point of view2m 56s
-
-
6. Finalizing the Format
-
Does size matter?2m 53s
-
Style and substance3m 1s
-
The six rules of composition3m 57s
-
-
7. From Concept to Finished Art
Take notes with your new membership!
Type in the entry box, then click Enter to save your note.
Press on any video thumbnail to jump immediately to the timecode shown.
Notes are saved with you account but can also be exported as plain text, MS Word, PDF, Google Doc, or Evernote.
Share this video
Embed this video
Video: Does size matter?