Strong Compositions

1. Strong Compositions

2. Before You Start • In art, we use the word “composition” and “design” to mean the same thing. You can also consider “arrangement” to mean basically the same. • Today, we are NOT talking about your concentration ideas (and how great they are). • We are talking about how you organize your ideas and how you show your ideas to the world.

3. Materials for this section • One white paper. • 2 small black papers. • Pink slip (Exit Ticket) • Pencil & eraser. • Scissors. • Glue.

4. FOLD • Fold WHITE paper like 4 box “window.” Nice and straight! • Leave folded!

5. DRAW • Draw your concentration as large as possible on one section. • Focus mostly on the outside shapes with smooth edges.

6. CUT • Cut out your concentration. Careful! • By leaving your paper folded, you should get 4 “cloned” concentrations. • Make any “extra” cuts as needed to separate pieces.

7. Pause • Closely read the following slide, “Notes on Composition.”

8. Notes on Composition • A strong composition is asymmetrical. In fact, it is so asymmetrical it runs off at least one edge of the paper. • A strong composition includes diagonal lines and tilted shapes. • A strong composition does not focus on the center of the page. • A strong composition is unexpected. If you do the three above, your composition will probably seem unexpected.

9. Arrange • Create 4 different compositions. • Each concentration should be placed a different way or in a different location to create a different look. (Refer back to “Notes on Composition”)

10. JUST GlUe it! • On the small black sheets, glue down your four different compositions. Make sure they are obviously different! • Place five drops on the back of your concentration, and then place it on like a sticker. Repeat this four times. • We are using the front and back, so two small black sheets are enough to make 4 designs.

11. Trim, Label, & DRAW • Trim your concentrations where they run off the page. All designs should be rectangular. • Label each design (on the background) A, B, C, or D. • Draw in important details on each concentration. Make sure all four are very similar in appearance.

12. Who are you? • Put your name on all five papers! Right now!

13. RECYCLE • Recycle any and all visible scraps. Check the floor, too!

14. What is This all this about? • This is about boosting the level of your work by considering the composition (the design or arrangement). • I bet you can see how some designs seem dull and some seem exciting and they are made out of the exact same things! • It’s not what you paint, but how you paint it!

15. Show Mr. smith • Have all four designs glued down. • Your area must be clean. • Raise your hand and Mr. Smith will sign your Exit Ticket.

16. Materials for this section • Large black paper (full sheet). • Four compositions, as references. • Pencil & eraser. • Pink slip (Exit Ticket).

17. SELECT Design • Pick your favorite design (A, B, C, or D). Pick the one that seems exciting!

18. DRAW / Copy • Draw your best design (A, B, C, D) onto your large black paper. • Be as exact as you can as you naturally enlarge your design. • Focus mostly on the outside shapes. • Interior details and shading are not important. Focus of shape. • Remember, the black shapes can help you create the white shapes.

19. Finally • You should now have a sort of “practice painting” with a strong composition. • Tomorrow, we will add white chalk to create a full study for Painting 2. • Yep, that means you are almost finished!

20. Cleaning up & Turning in • Keep your Exit Ticket in your hand. • Stack ALL three black papers at the end of your table. One stack for small and one for large. • Close this presentation and any windows. Return the computer and PLUG IT IN, please!