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Return
to Geo's Home Page If
a painter asked me to speak to the subject of composition, I'd say that
choosing what to paint is the beginning of an intimate relationship. If
you don't find yourself falling in love with your subject, maybe it's time
to look for something different to paint. You can paint what others will
be pleased by, but if you paint in order to please others, then
what is authentically yours will be missing. Then I'd say . . . to begin
composing, ask yourself why you want to paint this particular subject.
Whether you're attracted by an arrangement of colors and shapes or simply
by a quality of atmosphere, try to say what, specifically, you want your
painting to express. Composition,
in the broadest sense, is deciding what to put into your painting and what
to leave out. It is deciding where to locate objects on your canvas and
how big or small to make them. The laws of composition are simply
guidelines. They show how the parts of a painting fit together most
pleasingly -- most of the time. Although it is important to understand
the agreed upon conventions, your compositions may deviate from
what has been tried before. Finding
your way into a composition will depend on your personality. A logical,
analytical person may tend to over-plan in order to stay in control and
feel safe. In doing creative work, there is a point where we need to go
into the unknown, to take risks where the results are unpredictable.
Without risk, a painting may be technically correct, but without life. On
the other hand, if it is your nature to be more intuitive, there will be a
point where you will want to consult your analytical side. Trusting
intuition alone, you may occasionally produce a highly original painting,
but more often the work is likely to be disorganized. Hold them lightly. Be well,
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