Composition Basics (Teacher)

Shaping the View: Composition Basics

1. Compose a Visual Symphony: Three sides to many stories

Annibale Carracci’s 1590 painting, Two Children Teasing a Cat

• Carracci Line Drawing
• Carracci Diagram Figure 1
• Carracci Diagram Figure 2
• Carracci Diagram Figure 3

Emmanuel Leutze’s Washington Crossing the Delaware

• Leutze Line Drawing
• Leutze Diagram Figure 1

2.  Compose a Visual Symphony: Variety of Visions

George Catlin’s Ojibbeway Indians in Paris

• Catlin (Paris) Line Drawing
• Catlin (Paris) Diagram Figure 1 (oval)
• Catlin (Paris) Diagram Figure 2 (ellipse)

George Catlin’s Snow Shoe Dance- Ojibbeway

• Catlin (Dance) Line Drawing
• Catlin (Dance) Diagram 1 (Triangle)
• Catlin (Dance) Diagram 2 (ellipse)

Vittore Carpaccio’s The Flight into Egypt

• Carpaccio Line Drawing
• Carpaccio Diagram 1 (Figure 8)

3. Compose a Visual Symphony: Pulling towards the Center

Cima da Conegliano’s Madonna and Child with Saint Jerome and Saint John the Baptist

• Conegliano Line Drawing
• Conegliano Diagram 1 (triangle)

Sandro Botticelli’s Adoration of the Magi

• Botticelli Line Drawing
• Botticelli Diagram 1 (double triangle)

Jacques-Louis David’s The Death of Socrates

• David Line Drawing
• David Diagram 1 (ellipse)
• David Diagram 2 (figure 8)