Join Mary Jane Begin for an in-depth discussion in this video Motion in pictures: The active composition, part of The Elements of Composition for Illustrators.
- Human beings are drawn to movement and motion.…One of my favorite sculptors, Bernini,…understood this so clearly.…Although he worked in the rigid material of stone,…his figures appear ready to leap from their fixed position.…Creating a sense of movement in a two dimensional image,…helps to keep the viewer actively involved and engaged.…Even a symmetrical composition requires…the illusion of movement to keep…the eye tracking through the piece.…Without it the eye and mind can lose interest…and miss the message or content…the artist wants to communicate.…
There are a variety of ways to create…the illusion of movement in an illustration.…Suggest the action of the elements…that exist in real life by showing…the effect they have on a subject creates motion.…The repetition of the textures in middle…and background help create the sense of active movement.…Creating the illusion of wind and air on subjects…in the illustrations help to create energy and movement,…even if a subject is standing still.…Illustrating the action of an event…
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: Motion in pictures: The active composition