Composition Drawing Tips

As artists, we want to deliver something interesting for the observer.
Here are some tips that can help.

Overlapping

When an object covers a part of another object, you assume it is in front of it.
Overlapping is one of the most powerful ways to create depth.

Foreshortening

When an object or a plane are along your line of sight, they are foreshortened (meaning, distorted).

When you want to draw a flower, first think of overlapping (petals usually overlap each other).

That is a good start, but not enough.
The use of foreshortening will make the flower much more interesting.

If you are new to flower drawing, visit my flower-drawing guide.

Perspective

To draw anything correctly, meaning in a realistic way, you should have understanding of linear perspective drawing.

If you draw parallel depth lines, the object looks isometric, and not in perspective.

The use of perspective should be done correctly, so not to get unnatural results.

Plus, perspective is a must if you want to draw from imagination.

Object Placement

Drawing the front side of an object is boring.
When rotated a bit, both sides of the object are foreshortened, and that is more interesting.

In addition, placing objects side by side, or in a pattern, is boring.

Place them in different depth, and with the use of overlapping.

Focal Point

In some drawings, you want a main object to be the center of attention.
There are many ways to do it, but here I will focus on its placement.

Usually, it is nicer if the object is not at the center of your drawing.

BTW, if you like drawing trees, here is my tree-drawing guide.

Rule of Thirds

The rule of thirds is a suggestion to place objects in the third lines, or in the place they meet.

I rarely use the rule of thirds, but sometimes, it helps when I plan compositions. Especially at early stages of sketching.

Composition Summary

Composition is individual. There are no rules for it, just suggestions and tips.

Drawing is a language, you can use it to create beautiful things.

Draw stories (comics). Here are examples I drew in different periods.

You can display an event in your own way.

You can design a product.

Or, concept art.

An example for drawing from imagination, using composition:

First, I draw in perspective, with attention to foreshortening.

Then I use the power of overlapping.

I do like to render my drawings in a realistic way.

You can find more on composition in my composition-drawing guide.

Till next time...

Ran

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