Pedro Cardoso
Composition Fundamentals
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The understanding of foundational elements behind picture making is a powerful tool. It underlies every decision we make as artists, and has the potential to immediately improve our work, regardless of technical skills. This workshop will present you with ideas and techniques that will clarify what it means to create a composition, and give you the tools necessary to create work that is compelling and intentional.
We will break down composition in two major elements: Line and Value. Line is the basis of every composition, and can be used not only to describe shapes, but also to create rhythms throughout your composition. Value enhances the impact your composition will have at a glance, at the same time that it defines the focal point of your image. During the course of the workshop we will study from masters works and then apply what we learn into our own compositions. Reference images will be provided, but you are welcome to bring your own reference material to work with in class.
Day 1 - Composing with Line:
Morning
An instructor demo will introduce you to basic language and theory behind Line as a compositional tool. Students will then do a series of thumbnail master copies from the provided reference material.
Afternoon
After a demo on how to use reference materials and create various iterations from the same image, you’ll begin working on our own compositions from either your reference or the provided materials.
Day 2 - Composing with Value:
Morning
Instructor will do a demonstration on different ways to approach value, and how master painters use value in their work. Students will work on thumbnail exercises using the provided reference material.
Afternoon
After a demo on how to manipulate and use value to your advantage, students will begin to work on their own composition thumbnails based on either their own or the provided reference materials.
Supply List:
Strathmore 400 Series 18”x24” Sketch Pad - White
Strathmore 400 Series 19"x24" Toned Sketch Paper - Tan
General’s Charcoal Pencil 2B and HB. Two to three of each.
Willow Charcoal, boxes of 3 or more.
Sepia pastel pencils or sticks.
Koh-I-noor brand is recommended. 1-2 of each.
White Chalk pencil or sticks.
Koh-I-Noor Gioconda pencil recommended. 1-2 of each.
Kneaded Eraser
Paper Stumps
Exacto Knife or Box Cutter knife. Box Cutter recommended.