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Principles of Composition:
- Principle #1 - Establish a Focal Point
You need to establish a focal point and then work to integrate the rest of your graphics to support the focal point. Think of your collage as having a visual hierarchy. The main focal point gets the viewer's attention and draws them in, then the rest of the graphics are supportive of the main focal point.
- Principle #2 - Keep Everything Connected
Every aspect of the composition should be connected to something else in the composition. If I use a black and white cow, I may need another animal or organic shape, or I may need another instance of black and white spots.
Principle #3 - Layout Takes Practice
Layout involves organizing the information so there are visual relationships between and among your graphics. Also called composition - you need to be selective about which graphics you use and how you prepare and arrange them. There are some nice tips on composition (and some Photoshop tutorials) at:
http://emptyeasel.com/2006/11/24/9-steps-to-creating-better-compositions/
- Principle #4 - Challenge Common Assumptions
Strong artwork often makes the viewer question prior assumptions about the world. Is my artwork making an argument? What does my artwork have to offer that the viewer may find incomprehensible, disagreeable, contentious, inspirational or intriguing? Not that it has too, but it may!
- Principle #5 - Cherish Mistakes
Mistakes are fascinating gifts, and what we do with them makes all the difference. As much as we may plan and have an idea that guides the creative process, be open as you work because sometimes when a mistake happens, we are given a gift. When I respond to the mistake and make a new thing from it, I do not have to borrow other artist's ideas to be creative. It has emerged as my own. On the other hand, when the mistake is an obvious failure, it means that I have to get to work, do research, experiment, or simply PRACTICE MORE. These are all positive outcomes.
- Principle #6 - Never Borrow Other Artist's ideas - Steal 'em!
Ideas are free for the taking. Ideas are all around us in the vapor of existence. Images and particular arrangements of words, on the other hand, are copyrighted. Inventions are patented. Copyrights and patents are "intellectual property", but ideas and concepts are everybody's. They are in the public domain - always have been. If I find a good idea, a truth, I do not want to borrow it. I do not want to return it. I want to appropriate it, test it, experiment with it and make it my own.
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