composition study
an example
 Keith  O'Connor   		  
  
main index The Role of Style in Composition  
 
The following example illustrates my application of compositional theory to landscape composition.
Compositional theory contains many abstract concepts which allows for it's universal application much like language is used for poetry, daily communication etc. Because of this complexity I will discuss compositional theory in more depth starting with: The Role of Style in Composition which forms part of my lecture series.
 
  photo of site from: Watercolor Painting Step-by-Step: by: A.L.Guptill traditional site sketch: little interpretation  
  my first compositional approach   my second compositional approach  
  more refined version   slight modification  
As can be seen from these illustrations compositonal theory allows the artist to be
less imitative and more psycho-emotionally creative.
see below for notes
K O'Connor(1939-2039)		 Fourth Sketch  (see other sketches below)
"Home Port at Low Tide "
Nova Scotia Canada 
 2003
 13in by 16in
-pencil on paper

My students had their go at it and I found that many of their suggestions could be easly incorporated by making minor changes to sketch no. three. See if you can identify the changes.

 

   

K O'Connor(1939-2039)		 Third sketch  
"Home Port at Low Tide "
Nova Scotia Canada 
 2003
 13in by 16in
-pencil on paper

This sketch has been worked up in a larger format using ideas from the previous two sketches.

Although I like the twisting angle of the wharf there is still some problem with it but I'll see what my students have to say when I present it for their critique.

 

   

K O'Connor(1939-2039)		 Second Sketch  
"Home Port at Low Tide "
Nova Scotia Canada 
 2003
 5in by 7in
-pencil on paper

Using a higher view point. Still driven by the looking down and moving towards the distant mass.

Ovid shapes are used as rock structures that point down from the lower left. The backs of the huts now form strong contrasting verticals with the central hut displaying a distinctive curved back.

 

The contrasting vertical is strongly stressed in the wharf and huts.

The right side of the wharf is being pushed upwards by a series of graphic curves as the back of the huts are being pushed down wards. The shape of the wharf has been established.

The lobster traps on top of the wharf and the boats in the middle ground add human activity information.

The tonal plan is beginning to evolve.

K O'Connor(1939-2039)		 First sketch
 "Home Port at Low Tide "
Nova Scotia Canada 
 2003
 5in by 7in
-pencil on paper

The small shed visually linked to the end of the wharf caught my attention. The idea that the back somehow grew out of the land providing a strong life force struggling against an inhospitable terrain entered my mind.

This centuries old struggle for life became a motif.

The ground forces flowing down and in towards the horizon contrasted with the vertical sheds. The wharf in the photo was too long and with many complicated distractions along its length so, I shortened it.

What final shape the shorter wharf was still unresolved at this time. 		The graphical theme was becoming geometric in nature as exemplified by the strong building block type forms and structural lines. I use these lines during the planning phase to illustrate the flow of the planes (vertical, horizontal, etc.).
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K O'Connor(1939-2039)		 The Source Image
 

This is where it all started.

You are to use all or some of the objects in this landscape photo to stimulate your imagination into generating a composition in the style of your choice.

Remember to think in terms of translating the basic image into a standard compositional format.

 

Keep in mind the use of broad masses and minimal detail. Remember that a photograph, because of its perspective requirements tends to set the viewer back from the scene making everything smaller and thus removing the immediacy of being up close.  
 
 
main index The Role of Style in Composition