Composition: where things sit and why
Composition is the quietest decision in a picture and the one viewers feel most strongly.
Part of your national curriculum
- Practical skills: Use a range of techniques to record their observations in sketchbooks, journals and other media as a basis for exploring their ideas
- Developing ideas: Use a range of techniques and media, including painting, to develop and refine their ideas
Lesson overview
What you'll learn in this lesson
Compose an image with intent
Key learning points
- • Structure
- • Focal point
This lesson at a glance
- 25 minutes
- 12 parts to scroll through
- 3 quick checks
- Marked quiz at the end
- Gentle pace: short sittings with pauses
Words to know
Scroll down — the lesson carries on below
Watch & discover
Part 1 of 12
Visual introductionPicture this
Composition: where things sit and why
Composition is the quietest decision in a picture and the one viewers feel most strongly.
In a nutshell
Compose an image with intent
Explore the idea
Part 2 of 12
Learn
Structure
Rule of thirds, leading lines, framing and negative space guide the eye. Dead-centre placement is a choice, not a default.
Explore the idea
Part 3 of 12
Learn
Focal point
Contrast, detail and isolation create a focal point. If everything is equally busy, the eye has nowhere to rest.
Reset break
Part 4 of 12
Pause
That's sitting 1 of 3 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Quick check
Part 5 of 12
Quick check
Part 6 of 12
Quick check
Part 7 of 12
Reset break
Part 8 of 12
Pause
That's sitting 2 of 3 done
Stretch, get a drink, look out of the window. There is no timer and nothing is counting down — your place is saved, so you can come back in five minutes or tomorrow.
Challenge round
Part 9 of 12
Game · Sort it
Which of these are true?
Drag each card into the right column. Tap a card first if dragging is fiddly.
True
Not true
Challenge round
Part 10 of 12
Game · Recall cards
Before adding detail you should…
Card 1 of 4
Mastery quiz
Part 11 of 12
Marked quiz
End of lesson quiz: Composition: where things sit and why
4 questions, marked with the reasoning shown. No timer.
1. Before adding detail you should…
2. Squinting helps you see…
3. Layered hatching gives…
4. Tone in drawing means…
Lesson round-up
Part 12 of 12
Lesson round-up
Ready when you are
Quiz score
Not sat
Games
Not played
Points this lesson
0
Best run
0 in a row
Luna: 0 out of 3 on the practice checks. Only if you feel up to it — one more?
Ask LunaPart 1 of 12 · Watch & discover
How this is going
- Not looked at yet
Use a range of techniques to record their observations in sketchbooks, journals and other media as a basis for exploring their ideas
- Not looked at yet
Use a range of techniques and media, including painting, to develop and refine their ideas