Learn about composition and the power it has in a piece.
- When it comes to art and illustration, think of the composition as the skeleton of the piece. It's the underlying structure and you create it with the placement of various elements. A good composition is often one that feels visually balanced. Being able to achieve this takes experimentation and practice. It's helpful to study compositions in all kinds of work, from paintings and posters to magazine spreads and even logos. The Elements of Composition for Illustrators by Mary Jane Begin is a great course to begin with.
She outlines the best practices for developing any artistic or illustrated composition. Additionally, she goes over how to lead a viewers eye through a work, ways of unifying the work, common pitfalls of a poor composition, and more. Another great course to check out is Graphic Design Foundations Layout and Composition. Although this is more tailored to graphic designers the concepts of composition are the same.
Sean Adams gets into topics like using skill to create drama and using balance and tension to create a dynamic layout. Sometimes creating tension through imbalance is just what the work calls for. Lastly, have a look at Mary Jane Begin's Artist at Work series. She covers a number of topics including, creating a composition and creating visual hierarchy. You also get the pleasure of watching her work on a piece while she's explaining what she's doing.
It's a great over the shoulder experience. Compositions are everywhere so start looking closely at all types of them. And if something resonates take note of what is happening and see if you can incorporate those ideas in your next piece.
Kristin Ellison—the content manager of art and illustration at LinkedIn Learning—kicks off the course by walking through the core elements of the creative process: drawing, composition, and color. Next, she highlights the specific skills and software you'll need to successfully launch a career in 2D illustration, 3D illustration, and fine art. To wrap up, Kristin covers the business of art and illustration, sharing how to promote, present, and get paid for your work. Throughout the course, Kristin mentions additional courses you can reference to get an in-depth look at specific tools and skills.
- Learning about the core elements of the creative process
- Understanding the power of composition
- Understanding color
- Pursuing careers in 2D illustration, 3D illustration, and fine art
- Promoting and presenting your work
- Getting paid for your work