Composition

Composition.

The formula for composition could read ‘composition = ancient Greek maths’ as when researching the subject the “Golden” formula of phi is ever present; the golden ratio, the golden rectangle, the golden triangle, the golden mean, all based on phi.

 Creative Automation. 2011. The Golden Ratio (section). [online image]. Available from: http://www.creativeautomaton.com/designforbusiness/the-golden-ratio-a-brief-on-design/  [Accessed 28 March 2012]


Leonardo da Vinci introduced the divine proportions/golden ratio to art although Luca Pacioli wrote the book De Divina Proportione which was illustrated by da Vinci. As da Vinci is credited with introducing the golden ratio into art examples of his work are often used to demonstrate the principle; the Mona Lisa being a favourite.

example image used is from ThinkQuest.[unknown].The Beauty of the Golden Ratio.[online image]. Available from: http://library.thinkquest.org/trio/TTQ05063/phibeauty3.htm [Accessed 28 March 2012]

The golden rectangle is used extensively throughout the painting, with her face fitting perfectly into one, indeed the dimensions of the painting are exact as well which makes me ask the question “ how true to life is Mona Lisa”. One thing that is without question is that the golden ratio has been used in paintings down the centauries. The French artist George Seurat of Pointillism fame was said to have "attacked every canvas by the golden section."

modified image showing golden sections.

Seurat, G. 1884. Bathing at Asnieres. [online image]. Available from: http://www.georgesseurat.org/Bathing-At-Asnieres-1884.html  [Accessed 28 March 2012]

When researching composition or indeed any other subject the brain can become overloaded, two sites I found which give a clear insight to composition are Dominique Amendola’s site in which she gives good examples of good and bad composition and a helpful check list of questions to ask ourselves.

Is there one dominant object?
Is the eye lead through the picture to the centre of interest?
Is the eye kept in the picture and not lead right out of it?
Is the centre of interest in a good position?
Does the greatest tonal range appear at the centre of interest?
Are travelling objects actually moving in the picture and not blocked by the side of the picture?
Is the whole of the composition in balance?

Amendola, D. 2009. About Good Composition in Painting. [online]. Available from: http://dominiqueamendola.com/blogs/about-good-composition-painting-dominique-amendola  [Accessed 28 March 2012]

The other is an article written by Philip Straub for CG Society which once again is very clear and concise and gives good examples.
 Straub, P. 2005. Composition. [online]. Available from: http://www.cgsociety.org/index.php/CGSFeatures/CGSFeatureSpecial/phil_straub_composition_tutorial 
[Accessed 28 March 2012]

As well as covering the golden ratio and the more modern day rule of thirds, he also moves onto other forms of composition such as implied forms which are implied lines that help hold a painting together.

Examples of this are:

Circular

The ‘L’

The Iconic

As for why we seem to find the golden rectangle the most visually pleasing, inan article for the Gaurdian news paper Karen McVeigh tells how, Adrian Bejan, professor of mechanical engineering at Duke University, in Durham, North Carolina believes it is because the eye can process this ratio faster than any other. McVeigh (2009).

 McVeigh, K.2009. Why Golden Ratio Pleases the Eye. [online]. Available from: http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2009/dec/28/golden-ratio-us-academic    [Accessed 24 March 2012]



So does sticking to the golden rectangle or rule of thirds guarantee we can direct the viewer in the order we plan? 

Artist James Gurney decided to test if this was true or not, he did this by setting up a computer screen with three of his paintings being displayed; the screen was fitted with specialist eye tracking software and invited test subjects to view the works. As there were only sixteen test subjects involved the findings cannot be seen as conclusive, but the results of this small experiment make for very interesting reading.

Gurney, J. 2009. Market Place of Ideas.[online image]. Available from: http://gurneyjourney.blogspot.co.uk/2009/09/eye-tracking-and-composition-part-1.html  [Accessed 24 March 2012]

Gurneyjourney. 2009. Eye Tracking Animation.[online].YouTube. Available from: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7x5GCC3vfQ8 [Accessed 28 March 2012]

 Two of the preliminary conclusions were:

1. Placing an element on a golden section grid line doesn’t automatically attract attention. If an attention-getting element such as a face is placed in the scene, it will gather attention wherever you place it.

2. Two people don’t scan the same picture along the same route. But they do behave according to an overall strategy that alternates between establishing context and studying detail.

I cannot find out if he expanded this experiment, perhaps details are in his book, but I think it would be a fascinating project to pursue.