Composition - examples of note

[John Reidy]

Composition is merely the placing of objects of various forms and colors in a pleasing way. Each viewer becomes a judge in their own experience.

Over time we try to learn from those before us. One way to study is to make a list and compartmentalize the different types.

Over time it would be easy to teach composition to others seeking knowledge by going through an organized chart of some kind. By this method a student might consider these examples the complete list of different types of composition.

This is natural and is not a bad thing. It is what it is.

But once in a while someone comes along and creates a new twist. Some will accept it and some won't. After all it is a personal choice and as someone once said "you can't please all of the people all of the time".

My personality is a strong desire to start something new and abandon the old. I struggle with this at the end of my paintings. But because of this I find it easier to accept the contrary and even relish in it.

I find the red dress a wonderful and exciting way to drag the viewer to the right edge of the canvas and the severe cropping of the dancer effectively stops the eye and allows it back into the canvas. My wish is that he did this on purpose because I'm a huge fan and it just makes him even better in my mind.

I'm not familiar with the last two paintings and I will study the first one more thoroughly. The Fishermen's composition is obvious on first sight.