Composition (visual arts)

The term composition means "putting together". It can be thought of as the organization of the elements of art according to the principles of art. Composition can apply to any work of art, from music through writing and into photography, that is arranged using conscious thought. In the visual arts, composition is often used interchangeably with various terms such as design, form, visual ordering, or formal structure, depending on the context. In graphic design for press and desktop publishing, composition is commonly referred to as page layout. The composition of a picture is different from its subject (what is depicted), whether a moment from a story, a person or a place. Many subjects, for example Saint George and the Dragon, are often portrayed in art, but using a great range of compositions even though the two figures are typically the only ones shown. Elements of art The central visual element, known as element of design, formal element, or element of art, constitute the vocabulary with which the visual artist compose. These elements in the overall design usually relate to each other and to the whole art work. The elements of design are: Line — the visual path that enables the eye to move within the piece Shape — areas defined by edges within the piece, whether geometric or organic Color — hues with their various values and intensities Texture — surface qualities which translate into tactile illusions Value — Shading used to emphasize form Form — 3-D length, width, or depth Space — the space taken up by (positive) or in between (negative) objects Lines are optical phenomena that allow the artist to direct the eye of the viewer. The optical illusion of lines do exist in nature, and visual arts elements can be arranged to create this illusion. The viewer unconsciously reads near the continuous arrangement of different elements and subjects at varying distances. Such elements can be of dramatic use in the composition of the image. These could be literal lines such as telephone and power cables or rigging on boats.