Pictorial Composition: An Introduction

by Henry Rankin Poore

Book Overview

A painting's technique, color, and perspective may all be excellent, yet the painting will fail unless its composition succeeds. Composition is the harmonious arranging of the component parts of a work of art into a unified whole. Henry Poore examines the works of old masters and moderns in this book and uses these examples to explain the principles of compositions in art.
All the paintings that the author analyzes are illustrated in the text...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0486233588
• ISBN13: 9780486233581
• Release Date: June 1976
• Publisher: Dover Publications
• Length: 104 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 8.2" x 10.9"

Customer Reviews

VERY GOOD BOOK - any artist or aspiring artist should read

Reader friendly book because the sketches, examples are to the point for any artist no matter the level. One of THE best books I currently have in my collection. I have read it and studied it from cover to cover and am learning so much. There are also some step by step projects to do. Well worth it. Wonderful book!

Classic Rules of Compositon Told.

This book tells the classic rules of composition "that no one wants to tell you" and that others say "everybody knows" when in fact they don't. It covers the subject from the old school of classic composition. It is a masterpiece of information that I wish I had read years ago. Very highly recommended.

Fantastic

I've heard art instructors thrash around at length in conversations on composition and not come anywhere near getting their point across like this potent book. Don't let the slim page count fool you--the author simply doesn't need three hundred pages to illuminate his readers--this is clearly the effort of someone who has looked and thought deep and long about what makes some images so engaging and he isn't content just poking around the edges of the topic. Poore writes in a grounded, succinct manner and supports his text with well chosen black and white reproductions (a few pages in the center are in color). This book presents and clarifies some crucial points for creating an image with a pulse. So many art books cost a small fortune and deliver marginal goods--this book asks for a very modest investment and delivers gold. My work is better for having read and studied it.

Even Better Than I Expected!

This book should be mandatory material for any student of the visual arts. The information is presented very clearly and with excellent examples. I feel I've learned a lifetime's worth of material from this one little book!

Really Deserves 6 Stars

This is one of the most thorough books in the teaching and analysis of composition I've ever had the fortune to read. All my other art books mention the neccessity of sound composition and eye movement but none give the detailed breakdown of how that's accomplished or why it fails. This book does. You aren't just told - it's broken down for you explicitly with dozens of examples from famous paintings. All kinds of compositions are examined.Here is a list of the chapter titles and some (would be tiresome to include it all) of what they teach 1. Balance - rules, scale of attraction, vertical/horizontal balance, natural balance, apparant/formal balance, balance by opposition of line, balance by opposition of spots, transition of line...etc, etc, etc.2. Entrance and Exit - getting into the picture, getting out of the picture3. Circular Observation - circular composition, reconstruction for circular observation4. Angular Composition - the triangle, the vertical line in angular composition, angular composition based on the horizontal, line of beauty, structural line5. Composition with One or More Units - 2 units, 3 units, groups, the figure in landscape6. Light and Shade - pricipality, gradationColor Plates.....If you really want to learn composition and get it down cold - get this book. It's a priceless gem.

Great value!

I appreciate this concise book which explains theories of composition using famous paintings. I found the section on "entering" and "leaving" a composition very helpful. Essentially, give the viewer a place to "leave" the composition rather than "backing out" of it. I wanted a tight handbook to improve my skills. I am glad I got this!