Synopses & Reviews
A painting's technique, color, and perspective may all be excellent, yet the painting will fail unless its composition succeeds. Composition is the harmonious arranging of the component parts of a work of art into a unified whole. Henry Poore examines the works of old masters and moderns in this book and uses these examples to explain the principles of compositions in art.
All the paintings that the author analyzes are illustrated in the text—166 illustrations, including 9 in full color. Thirty-two diagrams by the author accompany his textural discussion of such topics as the importance of balance, entrance and exit, circular observation, angular composition, composition with one or more units, and light and shade. Balance is the most important of these topics, and it is considered in the greatest detail—balance of the steelyard, vertical and horizontal balance, and so on. A complete index enables the reader to locate his own specific areas of interest.
To see how a painting by Cézanne, Goya, or Hopper, for example, follows definite principles of composition allows the practicing artist or art student to learn composition from the finest instructors—the artists themselves. This book is also very useful to the art devotee, who will find his appreciation of the subject greatly enhanced.
Synopsis
Learn principles of composition, classical and modern, through analysis of works from Middle Ages to present Goya, Cézanne, Hopper, many others. 148 illustrations, 9 in full color.
Synopsis
Learn principles of composition, classical and modern, through analysis of works from Middle Ages to present Goya, Cézanne, Hopper, many others. 148 illustrations, 9 in full color.
Synopsis
With this excellent art instruction guide, you can learn the principles of composition, classical and modern, through analysis of works from Middle Ages to present — Goya, Cézanne, Hopper, many others. Excellent discussion on the importance of balance, entrance and exit, circular observation, angular composition, etc. 148 illustrations, 9 in full color.
Table of Contents
I. THE IMPORTANCE OF BALANCE
Balance of the steelyard
Rules
Scale of attraction
Vertical and horizontal balance
The natural axis
Apparent or formal balance
Balance by opposition of line
Balance by opposition of spots
Transition of line
Balance by gradation
Balance of principality or isolation
Balance of cubical space
2. ENTRANCE AND EXIT
Getting into the picture
Getting out of the picture
3. CIRCULAR OBSERVATION
Circular composition
Reconstruction for circular observation
Color plates
4. ANGULAR COMPOSITION
The triangle
The vertical line in angular composition
Angular composition based on the horizontal
Line of beauty
Structural line
5. COMPOSITION WITH ONE OR MORE UNITS
Two units
Three units
Groups
The figure in landscape
6. LIGHT AND SHADE
Principality
Gradation
INDEX