When you are sketching, knowing how to arrange your drawing is really important. This arrangement is called composition. Here are some basic tips every sketch artist should keep in mind:
Think of your canvas as having nine equal parts. You do this by drawing two vertical lines and two horizontal lines. The goal is to place the most important parts of your drawing where these lines meet. For example, if you're drawing a landscape, putting the horizon in the top third can help make it look balanced.
Balance means how the different parts of your sketch work together visually. You can create symmetrical balance by spreading similar sizes equally across your drawing. On the other hand, asymmetrical balance can make your art more exciting. For instance, if you sketch a tree on one side, you might add a few clouds or a bird on the other side to keep things balanced.
Leading lines are like paths for the viewer’s eyes. They help guide the audience through your drawing. These lines can be natural, like a winding road or river, or made from buildings. For example, a fence line in a landscape can draw attention to a mountain or other important feature.
Framing is when you use parts of your artwork to make a "frame" around the main subject. This helps people focus on what you want them to see. A good example is drawing branches or windows to lead the viewer's eyes to the center of your sketch.
Don’t forget about what’s not there! The spaces around and between your subjects—called negative space—are just as important as the subjects themselves. Using negative space well can make your sketch feel more open and deep.
Contrast helps to make different parts of your sketch stand out. You can do this by playing with colors, textures, or sizes. For example, if you have a bright flower against a dark background, the flower will grab attention because of the strong contrast.
By practicing these key ideas, you’ll get better at composition, making your sketches more interesting and professional-looking!
When you are sketching, knowing how to arrange your drawing is really important. This arrangement is called composition. Here are some basic tips every sketch artist should keep in mind:
Think of your canvas as having nine equal parts. You do this by drawing two vertical lines and two horizontal lines. The goal is to place the most important parts of your drawing where these lines meet. For example, if you're drawing a landscape, putting the horizon in the top third can help make it look balanced.
Balance means how the different parts of your sketch work together visually. You can create symmetrical balance by spreading similar sizes equally across your drawing. On the other hand, asymmetrical balance can make your art more exciting. For instance, if you sketch a tree on one side, you might add a few clouds or a bird on the other side to keep things balanced.
Leading lines are like paths for the viewer’s eyes. They help guide the audience through your drawing. These lines can be natural, like a winding road or river, or made from buildings. For example, a fence line in a landscape can draw attention to a mountain or other important feature.
Framing is when you use parts of your artwork to make a "frame" around the main subject. This helps people focus on what you want them to see. A good example is drawing branches or windows to lead the viewer's eyes to the center of your sketch.
Don’t forget about what’s not there! The spaces around and between your subjects—called negative space—are just as important as the subjects themselves. Using negative space well can make your sketch feel more open and deep.
Contrast helps to make different parts of your sketch stand out. You can do this by playing with colors, textures, or sizes. For example, if you have a bright flower against a dark background, the flower will grab attention because of the strong contrast.
By practicing these key ideas, you’ll get better at composition, making your sketches more interesting and professional-looking!