Seeing Things Simply: Composition

Composition is simply organizing a picture so that you get the best and the most out of the subject you have chosen to paint. An this book explains how to do just that in easy-to-understand terms with a wealth of paintings, pencil sketches, watercolor studies, and photographs that illustrate the concepts. From formal to informal composition and classic to modern approaches, author and artist James Horton covers it all in a thorough, thoughtful manner.

o Discover how to choose the viewpoint, angle of viewing, and format that will stress the focal point

o Learn to avoid overly symmetrical and obvious approaches

o Use light, color, tone, and "lead-in" lines to enhance your painting's composition

o Compose portraits, still lifes, and floral groups by planning the initial setup as well as the painting itself

o Study paintings by the masters to see how they overcame compositional difficulties

James Horton studied in England at the Sir John Cass Art School, at the City and Guilds Art School and then at the Royal College of Art. Since then he has earned his living primarily as a painter, but he has also taught at art schools in the United Kingdom and abroad. Horton has written two art instruction books and several articles. His work appears regularly in exhibitions--including the royal Academy Summer Exhibition--and is featured in private collections in many countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Sweden.