PictorialCompositions

PictorialCompositions Introduction As an artist or illustrator, you exercise total control over a picture area by using the basic principles of composition and dot, line, tone, direction, shapes, motion, color, texture, and scale. No other format offers such limitless control of content. Picture depth in pictorial compositions It is impossible to include in a flat two-dimensional picture all you can perceive about an object. When working in pictorial compositions, each two- dimensional representational image is the result of many decisions. One of the early decisions to make before beginning final artwork is whether or not to portray an object in two or more dimensions. Study the works of M. C. Escher, a master mathematician and draftsman. No other twentieth-century . artist displays such mastery of image interdimensionally and illusion. TWO DIMENSIONAL: Two-dimensional images have height and width but no depth. Two-dimensional images are often called decorative images. The images float superficially on the substrate surface and do not invite the viewer inside. THREE DIMENSIONAL: Three-dimensional images have height, width, and depth. Referred to as plastic representations, shapes in three dimensions appear to be in-the-round. The viewer perceives three-dimensional images as more realistic. FOUR DIMENSIONAL: Four dimensional imagery contains height, width, depth, and the element of time. Computer-generated imagery may incorporate time as an element in image creation or image evolution. INFINITE DIMENSION: Images drawn in infinite dimension appear endless. The picture plane acts as a window through which the viewer observes the subject. SHALLOW: Shallow images are sometimes called Limited depth images because you can control the visual elements and limit the amount of depth in the picture area. Continued on next page 1-24