painting-composition-negativeshape-scale-and-the-diagonal

Composition is thearrangement of shapesto keep the eye moving

with pleasure.

Glenn Hirsch

Positive and Negative Shape

(M.C. Escher 1930)

(Richard Diebenkorn c. 1965)

(Graham Sutherland c. 1945)

Robert Bechtel, watercolor

DIAGONALS

Theatrical light is directional light illuminating darkness (like a theater stage or in a movie). This kind of chiaroscuro lighting was pioneered by Caravaggio. Caravaggio “The Calling of St Matthew“ 1602

Andrew Wyeth

Kathe Kollwitz

Degas

Richard Diebenkorn

John Singer Sargent

SCALE

Gerhard Lamprecht, 1921

Richard Diebenkorn

(Johannes Vermeer, 1665)

Vermeer’s cat

Georgia O'Keefe

J.M.W. Turner, 1840

Winslow Homer

translation of value

dark on top of light

light on top of dark

A ‘translation of value’ white against dark, and dark against light

(charcoal study by Georges Seurat, c. 1885)

Translation of value, light against dark and dark against light (Georges Seurat)

Translation of value - light against dark, and dark against light.

A ‘translation of value’ white against dark, and dark against light

Translation of value - white against black, and black against white. (Mo Seder)

Artists look for the translation of value, light against dark and dark against light, when figuring out a complex composition.

Vladimir Volegov