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Composition in Visual Arts

In visual arts, composition is the placement or arrangement of the visual elements, such as figures, trees, and so on in a work of art, as distinct from the subject or the style with which it was depicted. It can also be thought of as the organization of the elements of art according to the principles of art.

The composition of a picture is different from its subject, which is depicted, whether a moment from a story, a person, or a place. Many subjects, for example Saint George and the Dragon, are often portrayed in art, but using a great range of compositions even though the two figures are typically the only ones shown.

The term composition means "putting together" and can apply to any work of art, from music, to writing, to photography, that is arranged through conscious thought. In the visual arts, composition is often used interchangeably with various terms such as design, form, visual ordering, or formal structure, depending on the context. In graphic design for press and desktop publishing, composition is referred to as page layout.

The central visual element known as element of design, formal element, or element of art, constitute the vocabulary with which the visual artist compose. These elements in the overall design usually relate to each other and to the whole art work.


The elements of design are:
  • Line - the visual path that enables the eye to move within the piece
  • Shape - areas defined by edges within the piece, whether geometric or organic
  • Color - hues with their various values and intensities 
  • Texture - surface qualities which translate into tactile illusions
  • Value - shading used to emphasize form
  • Form - 3-D length, width, or depth
  • Space - the space taken up by (positive) or in between (negative) objects
The artist determines what the center of interest (focus in photography) of the art work will be, and composes the elements accordingly. The gaze of the viewer will then tend to linger over these points of interest, elements are arranged with consideration of several factors (known variously as principles of organization or principles of design) into a harmonious whole which works together to produce the desired statement - a phenomenon commonly referred to as unity. Such factors in composition should not be confused with the elements of art (or elements of design) themselves. For example, shape is an element; the usage of shape is characterized by various principles.

Some principles of organization include:
  • Shape and proportion
  • Positioning / orientation / balance / harmony among elements
  • The area within the field of view used for the picture ("cropping")
  • The path or direction followed by the viewer's eye when they observe the image
  • Negative space
  • Color
  • Contrast: the value, or degree of lightness and darkness, used within the picture
  • Arrangement: for example, use of the golden mean or the rule of thirds
  • Lines
  • Rhythm
  • Illumination or lighting
  • Repetition
  • Perspective
  • Breaking the rules can create tension or unease, yet it can add interest to the picture if used carefully
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This post is sponsored by Ayala Malls.

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