Learn how to arrange the elements of an image, create points of interest, and guide the viewer’s gaze with simple exercises to train your visual judgment. Composition is one of those aspects of drawing that often goes unnoticed when we’re just starting out. It’s common to think that a good illustration depends solely on mastering anatomy, perspective, or color, but the reality is that an image can be perfectly drawn and still fail to convey what it intends to. Composition means deciding how all the elements are organized within the available space. It’s about choosing what the viewer will see first, the path their gaze will follow, and the feelings the scene will evoke. In other words, composition is the silent language that gives structure to any drawing. The good news is that this visual skill can also be trained. Just as we practice lines or shading, there are specific exercises that help develop the ability to make better decisions even before starting a final illustration. Below you’ll find ten simple, progressive exercises that can be adapted to any discipline, from artistic drawing to illustration, comics, sketching, or painting. They aren’t meant to produce finished works, but rather to help you see your compositions with fresh eyes.
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Utsunomiya, Japan
