Join Mary Jane Begin for an in-depth discussion in this video Establishing value and contrast, part of The Elements of Composition for Illustrators.
- So once I got that…figured out,…I started to think about the structure and the form.…I had all the line work, I had to think about the value,…and the value is really important…because the value is the first thing I think about…when establishing contrast throughout the whole scene.…I need to think about what the darkest dark is,…and it's where my eye is going to tend to go,…and the viewer's eye is going to tend to go.…So, identified the very small figure.…
Now, the figure I made smaller on the back of the bird…so it looks like more like a horse-to-person relationship.…I made sure that she had a dark value in her outfit,…and also the tools and the paintbrush,…the eye and the talons were dark in color.…So you sort of, the eye's going to pop…through this overall shape and in many ways,…the shape of the bird and the figure,…I outlined it several times to figure out…what is that shape,…and where will those points of interest be?…
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
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Introduction
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Welcome1m 22s
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1. Basics of Composition
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Framing your field of view3m 15s
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2. Shaping the Composition
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Seeing in shape2m 27s
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Directing with lines3m 19s
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Composing with text3m 14s
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Solution: Text illustration5m 36s
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3. Creating Compositional Unity
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Bringing it all together2m 20s
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Consistency of style3m 3s
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Unifying light2m 44s
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Combining message and medium3m 25s
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4. Exploring Movement
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Dynamic diagonals2m 1s
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Illustrating storyboards2m 58s
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5. Directing the Eye
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Tracking the viewer's gaze2m 40s
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Contrast and edges3m 20s
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What is your focal point?2m 57s
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Understanding point of view2m 26s
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Avoiding common pitfalls2m 1s
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Solution: Point of view2m 56s
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6. Finalizing the Format
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Does size matter?2m 53s
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Style and substance3m 1s
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The six rules of composition3m 57s
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7. From Concept to Finished Art
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Video: Establishing value and contrast