Lesson video

Hello, my name is Ms. Badru I hope that you are all doing well.

I'm really looking forward to teaching and learning with you today.

Our learning outcome for this lesson is, "I can create considered and successful compositions using key techniques." Our keywords for this lesson are composition, juxtaposition, and intention.

Let's explore each one in turn to find out what they mean.

Composition, the arrangement of elements within a piece of art.

Juxtaposition, place contrasting elements side by side to create tension, interest.

Intention, what you want to achieve, i.

e.

a goal or aim.

Our lesson outline is going to focus on composition.

So let's begin with our first learning cycle.

Learn key techniques for successful compositions.

Possible outcomes for today might be any of the following.

Composition is the arrangement of elements within a piece of art.

It's how you organise art elements like shapes and colours.

With thoughtful composition, we can create a balanced, joyful, or even intentionally chaotic peace.

It guides the viewer's eye, and helps tell the story of your work.

Let's have a check-in here for understanding.

True or false? With thoughtful composition, we can guide the viewer's eye and create an artwork that conveys our ideas.

Is the statement true or false? Pause for a moment here to think about your answer, and why.

We'll resume together shortly.

What do you think is the correct answer? Let's take a look.

The answer is True.

And why might this be? Composition is the final key in unlocking our visual language.

It's our opportunity to make a real impact with our work.

Composition helps you create visually engaging work.

Can you describe any techniques this artist has used to make their composition effective? Pause briefly for a moment here, and brainstorm some potential ideas.

Lucas says, "The leaves disappear off the edge of the composition, making it feel endless.

It's almost like we are peering through a window." Key techniques include Rule of Thirds.

Compositions are divided into a three-by-three grid, and key elements are placed along the lines, or at intersections.

This compositional technique creates balance.

Aisha says, "The tree sits roughly on the left vertical.

The first branch divides at the bottom horizontal." What else gives this composition balance? Key techniques also include focal points.

Establish a clear focal point in your composition.

This draws the viewer's eye to the most important part of the composition.

This can be achieved through contrast, size, or placement.

Key techniques also include leading lines.

Use lines, e.

g.

roads, rivers, or edges, to guide the viewer's eye through the composition, and towards the focal point.

Lines can be straight, diagonal, or curved.

So pause here for a moment and observe this photograph.

Can you see the range of lines? Where are the lines leading your eye? As the viewer, how successful do you think this composition is? Okay, let's have a check-in here for understanding with the following question.

Which definition describes a focal point? A, placing key elements along grid lines or at their intersections, or B, drawing the viewer's eye to the most important part of the composition, C, using lines to guide the viewer's eye through the composition.

Pause for a moment here to think about your answer, and we'll resume together again shortly.

Do you think is the correct answer? The answer is B, drawing the viewer's eye to the most important part of the composition describes the definition of a focal point.

Okay, so let's continue our learning journey of looking at key techniques.

So these include overlapping and layering.

Objects are overlapped to create a sense of depth and layering, making the composition more dynamic and three-dimensional.

Key techniques also include framing.

Abstract, natural, or manmade elements, e.

g.

windows, trees, or arches, are used to frame the main subject and draw attention to it.

Pause for a moment and look at the image.

Look at the photograph here.

What is the key focal point, and how is it framed? How are we being guided to the main part of this composition? Key techniques also include juxtaposition.

Contrasting elements are placed side by side to create tension, interest, or meaning within a composition.

For example, light and dark, old and new, geometric and organic.

Okay, let's have a check-in here for understanding.

Match the definitions to the key terms. Let's go through the key terms first.

Juxtaposition, framing, overlapping, and leading lines.

And the definitions.

Using lines to guide the viewer's eye, using elements to frame the subject and draw attention to it, placing contrasting elements side by side, layering elements to create visual depth.

Which one matches with which? So pause the video here for a moment, and we'll resume shortly.

Which key term matches the definitions? Let's take a look.

Juxtaposition, placing contrasting elements side by side.

Framing, using elements to frame the subject and draw attention to it.

Overlapping, layering elements to create visual depth.

Leading lines, using lines to guide the viewer's eye.

Okay, let's continue our learning journey.

What key techniques can you see being used in this composition? Pause for a moment here, and think about those potential techniques.

What do you think? What can you observe from this composition? We'll resume shortly.

Okay, let's see.

The focal point is the main church.

Framing is created by neutral book pages and rubbings.

Leading lines draw you into the composition.

Juxtaposition between pink and black and white areas.

Overlapping creates interest and depth.

Rule of thirds is used to create structure.

What visual tools can you see being used in this composition? So pause for a moment here, and have a think about this question.

Balance and rhythm? Colour and tone? Unity and variety? Shape and form? Pattern and texture? Scale and proportion? Your visual language is activated when used together in a composition.

So now we have the joining of those key techniques and visual tools to create our composition.

What compositional techniques have been used here? What do you notice? What can you observe? Aisha says, "Layering, colour, and pattern create interest and variety here, while the balance repetition of elements creates a sense of unity." What compositional techniques have been used here? Pause for a moment, and spend a bit of time observing this image.

Sam says, "There is a juxtaposition between the materials on either side.

Visually, they look like really contrasting textures." What compositional techniques have been used here? Again, pause for a moment and spend some time observing this image.

What techniques do you think have been used? So Lucas says, "There is no fixed focal point as the pattern repeats.

The contrast between the jellyfish and the coral creates tension and interest." Artists exploring key compositional techniques include the following: Mari Katayama photographs her disabled body with intricate textiles, resulting in striking self portraits.

She blends the visual language of vulnerability and empowerment by telling stories with her compositions.

Jaixia Blue's textiles are characterised by their bold, harmonious colour schemes and intricate flowing patterns.

Her designs use layered compositions to build meaning and associations with her heritage.

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec used asymmetrical compositions, unusual cropping, and bold outlines to create scenes of Parisian nightlife.

David Morrish's embroidery focuses on central subjects surrounded by balanced negative space and natural elements to guide the eye.

There are many culturally specific compositional techniques, including Japanese woodblock prints, asymmetrical compositions with off-center subjects and diagonal lines to create movement and depth.

Islamic geometric patterns, symmetrical, repetitive geometric shapes, tessellate endlessly, symbolising unity, and the infinite nature of the divine.

Renaissance's perspective, linear perspective with a central vanishing point creates depth, reflecting humanist ideals of order and balance.

Pintupi dot painting, dots and symbolic patterns tell cultural stories with non-linear arrangements, conveying spiritual and natural meaning.

Chinese landscape painting, vertical scrolls with mountains, water, and empty space, symbolise vastness and harmony.

Let's bring our focus together on Task A.

Choose an artwork that interests you, and describe how the artist has composed the elements.

Consider the elements of art, shape, form, pattern, line, tone, colour, texture.

Also consider the key compositional techniques used, rule of thirds, framing, juxtaposition, leading lines, overlapping and layering, focal point.

Pause the video here to complete this task, and resume when you are ready.

Okay, let's resume and come together for feedback.

So you are tasked to choose an artwork that interests you, and describe how the artist has composed the elements.

So let's look at this example.

Just pause here for a second to look at the image below.

You may say something like, "The artist has made a monochromatic image with tone or variation, and curved mark-making to describe the form and texture of the trees.

The lines in the foreground lead you into the composition, and the trees have been intentionally cut off to create the illusion of space continuing into the distance," says Jacob.

Okay, let's continue with our second learning cycle, which is "Apply key techniques for successful compositions." So let's begin our journey, and how we apply key techniques for successful compositions.

How do you know when a composition is successful? You need to know what before you work out how.

You can ask yourself, "What am I aiming for? How do I want people to feel when they see it?" It can help to write or say these intentions clearly.

So, what's an intention? Intentions are clearly-expressed ideas.

We can use a brief statement of intent or discussion to clarify our ideas, and to help us make decisions.

This doesn't mean writing an essay, it could just be a simple statement that lays out what you want to achieve.

Let's have a check-in here for understanding with this true or false statement.

A statement of intent should be at least 500 words.

Is this statement true or false? What do you think, and why? Pause for a moment here, and we'll resume shortly.

What do you think the correct answer is? Let's take a look.

The answer is False.

And why might this be so? We can use a brief statement of intent to clarify our ideas.

This does not mean writing an essay, and it doesn't have word limits.

Once you know what do you want to achieve, you can think about how.

Small compositional or media tests can help you.

"I'll make some miniature models in clay, and arrange them in different compositions.

I'll photograph the stages and present them with annotations in my journal," says one student.

"I could draw out small versions.

These are called compositional thumbnails, and test how to best express my ideas." "I'm going to test my largest stitched pieces in paint, as it's a quick way to explore different compositional techniques." "Working quickly to explore ideas is important, as it takes a long time to make the final outcome.

I'm going to photocopy my fabric, and make a few collages to test composition." How could you test ideas for your composition in your specialism? So pause for a moment here, and reflect on your work.

What could you do? Let's have a check-in here for understanding.

Testing ideas for compositions is best explored, A, in detailed experiments suitable to your specialism, B, in the final outcome for your specialism, or C, in small quick experiments suitable to your specialism.

Which do you think is the correct answer? Pause here for a moment, and we'll resume again shortly.

What do you think is the right answer? Let's take a look.

The correct answer is C.

Testing ideas for composition is best explored in small, quick experiments suitable to your specialism.

Sam explores composition by selecting an area of her collage using a viewfinder, painting the composition, and refining ideas by adding more layers and overlapping elements for depth and complexity.

Can you see how her process has developed? The viewfinder is an excellent tool to help you isolate and focus on an area of your composition, which you can actually develop further.

And in this case, Sam has done this through painting.

And then she's added more detail in the final stage.

Reviewing and refining your work is key to creating a successful composition.

"I'll try to take one photo using each technique, then I can review my work and refine it," says one student.

"I'll take multiple edits on the computer and evaluate which techniques work best on this." And just by these two options alone, you can see there are different approaches on how you can start to review and refine your work, by taking a step back and reflecting on what you have achieved.

Let's bring our focus to Task B, as we continue to learn about applying key techniques for successful compositions.

So this task, number one, express your intentions.

You could write, film, audio record, or discuss your intentions.

Consider why are you making this work now, and for who? What do you want to communicate about your theme or brief? How do you want people to feel about your work? What words or associations do you want people to have? Pause the video here whilst you undertake this task.

Give thoughtful consideration to each of these questions, and resume when you are ready.

Let's take a look at feedback in response to this task.

in which you are asked to express your intentions.

You might say something like, according to Alex, "My work is for a festival flag.

I want it to be celebratory and full of fun.

I want people to see it and feel joyful.

I would love it if people thought about music and dancing." Let's bring our focus to Task B, Number Two.

Experiment with alternative compositions.

Let's take a look.

Consider what visual language best supports your intentions.

How can you test ideas quickly? Which materials are most appropriate? Which compositional techniques will you use? Remember, rule of thirds, framing, juxtaposition, leading lines, overlapping and layering, and focal point.

How will you use the elements of art, shape, pattern, line, tone, colour, form, and texture? Pause the video here to respond to this task, and resume when you are ready.

Let's come together and look at feedback.

So you were tasked to experiment with alternative compositions.

You might make something like this and say, "I used the computer to test alternative compositions in my design software.

I was able to experiment with overlapping and contrast easily," says Laura.

or you might make something like this, and say, "I drew out small thumbnails to explore composition, and added notes reflecting on my success." You might make something like this, and say, "I made a photo shoot to explore the different compositional techniques.

It was like a creative challenge." Let's bring our focus to Task B, Number Three.

Evaluate your work and suggest refinements.

How might we do this? Let's take a look.

Consider, what words do you associate with your ideas? Are your ideas expressed effectively? What would make your work better? Keywords, the elements: shape, form, pattern, line, tone, colour, and texture.

Compositional techniques, rules of thirds, framing, juxtaposition, leading lines, overlapping and layering, focal point.

So pause the video here whilst you work on this task, and then resume when you are ready.

So you are tasked to evaluate your work, and suggest refinements.

You might say something like this.

"I selected a composition that uses linear perspective, which creates a sense of space, and catches the fastness of the landscape.

I would like to create conceptual depth now by perhaps overlapping and layering cultural patterns that connect with the place," says Andeep.

You might say something like this.

"I tried to create framing using the circles on the sides.

I think I prefer the composition on the left, as it feels more loose and less grid-like.

The diagonal pink blocks lead your eyes into the image, and the yellow dots provide a focal point.

The black help me to create shadows for depth," says Laura.

So here we arrive at our summary for composition.

Artists organise visuals within their work and create structured compositions that guide the viewer's eye.

Key techniques, like rule of thirds, framing, juxtaposition, leading lines, overlapping, and focal points help us make structured compositions.

Good composition can enhance balance, contrast, and focus.

Establishing your intention helps you consider important features in a composition, which makes your artwork more effective in communicating its message.

I hope you have enjoyed this lesson.

In the meantime, take care, and see you next time.

Bye for now.