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Education

 

COMPOSITION

Take a look at the image below and then think about the questions listed below the image.

"Welsh Black" by Emrys Parry
"Welsh Black" by Emrys Parry

  • What do you notice about the general scheme, or layout, of the composition?

Start with the simple bits - what shape is the image? Is it square, a circle, triangle or rectangle?

Is it symmetrical or asymmetrical?

Do you think this choice of shape of image is successful? Or could it be better using a different shape?

 

During your tour of these pages we want you to answer all the questions set and make use of all the prompts.

Click on Topic 1 'Colour' to continue with the task.

To pic 2 -

Colour & Light

Topic 3-

Content

Topic 4-

Technique

Look at the image again and try and find shapes that echo or contradict the general shape of the image.

Roll over the image with the mouse pointer to see an example of isolating shapes.

 

Can you see any diagonal, horizontal or vertical lines in the composition that lead the eye into or around the picture?

Roll over the image...

Perhaps you can see now that the deliberate use of dark areas to surround the light centre of attention directs the viewer. Emrys Parry actually has control over the way you look at his picture. Clever eh?
   

MOVEMENT:
Movement can be implied within a picture by such things as line, shape, colour, texture, or by figurative elements such as facial expression, posture, gestures, etc.

Look at the image "Welsh Black" to the left. Although the images of the cows are reduced to recognisable shapes, a sense of movement is achieved through the use of acquired knowledge.

   
Most of us will know, from watching cows in a field, that cows tend to spend nearly all their lives munching away at grass, with heads bowed and the occasional shuffle around the firld. They generally only raise their heads to move or check out the odd intruder. So by positioning them cleverly within the image, and suggesting the movement of one leg (on the small cow) Emrys Parry has instilled movement into the picture.
   
ILLUSIONISM:
What system of perspective has been used?
Can you spot a vanishing point, horizontal line, diagonals?
What about over-lapping or foreshortening?
What about shapes or objects receding into the distance or looming out towards you?
   
TASK 1: MOOD & ATMOSPHERE
Take a small piece of paper and, in your own words, write about the mood and atmosphere of the image.
Points to consider:
Is it cheerful , sombre , violent , peaceful , exciting or sobering ?
   
   

Thanks to Gill Day-Thomas, Kate Bell and Amanda Roberts for the inspiration and format of the contents of the project, and to Mary Howells for support and analysis.