In composition, there are no standardized or predetermined rules. Beginning Composition will introduce a unique and proven method of learning the fundamental concepts of composition and visual literacy. Students will be exposed to information and demonstrations that will enable them to see problems and correct their own compositions and become more visually expressive.
BIO: Bill Perkins has worked in animation as a layout artist and art director for over 30 years. Bill first became a layout lead on Rescuers Down Under and continues to work on a string of hits including; The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Space Jam, Shrek, Bolt, Winnie the Pooh, Tangled, and Frozen.
Course Curriculum
| Free Preview | |||
| Beginning Composition | Preview | 00:05:00 | ||
| Preview for Beginning Composition with Bill Perkins. | |||
| Section 1 | |||
| Figure ground, emotion/position, shape and scale | 02:55:00 | ||
| An introduction to the basic elements of composition beginning with the relation of figure to ground. How does shape, scale and position serve to create an emotional response. | |||
| Section 2 | |||
| Intro to visual language and 7 visual components | 02:46:00 | ||
| Understand the visual language that comprises all picture making and discover the basic visual components of composition. Explore Balance, Movement, Rhythm, Focus, Contrast, Pattern and Proportion and how these elements create Unity in composition | |||
| Section 3 | |||
| Tone the mood maker | 02:29:00 | ||
| Control the emotional message of the image using tone, key and value range to create mood | |||
| Section 4 | |||
| Moving the viewers eye | 02:44:00 | ||
| Direct the viewer’s eye thru the image to control what is perceived as significant and what you would like the viewer to linger on as important to the message. | |||
| Section 5 | |||
| Line as a tool | 02:56:00 | ||
| Control line weight and character, using heavy, light, hard and soft line-work and lost and found edges as a tool for compositional control | |||
| Section 6 | |||
| Space 2D and 3D illusion | 02:46:00 | ||
| Compositional space is managed on the 2D plane of our artwork by using all our tools to create the illusion of 3D space | |||
| Section 7 | |||
| Beginning Composition: Movement and Rhythm | 02:51:00 | ||
| Direct the viewers experience of your composition by using movement of form and rhythm of placement to create a harmonious image | |||
| Section 8 | |||
| Color and Final Wrap-Up | 02:55:00 | ||
| Explore the manipulation of color value, hue and saturation as a compositional element and wrap up the elements of composition. | |||
Course Reviews
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Gaining Visual Power
Bill Perkins thorough knowledge of visual language has pushed me further to understand how and why elements in a composition have visual power
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Incredible Class
I learned so much from this class I wish I had taken it sooner. How he breaks down paintings and explains why they work or why they don’t was so eye opening. Even hearing his critique of other student’s work taught me so much. It is an excellent class,
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Amazing course full of important and helful info
Amazing course full of important and helpful info!
Mr Perkins teaches solid art making approaches to composition in this course that I had to wonder why this course was titled ‘Beginning Composition’? He shared insights into movie design concepts which works in 2-D illustrations. Much of the material was new to me too and I am no spring chicken! I enthusiastically recommend Mr Perkin’s course for anyone who is interested in getting a hearty grip on composing their art work with meaning and purpose! -
Great Composition Techniques
This is a very good course for those who want to improve their composition skills. It pushes boundaries for your design thinking skills and allow you to composite a scene and to bring it to life. The techniques taught throughout the class definitely aid in my creativity process.
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Good class
Bill’s passion is infectious, and his take on composition is an interesting and useful take on what’s normally taught on this subject.
I’m a traditional media artist and learned a lot, albeit many examples are geared toward the concept art and animation/moving pictures worlds.
The course material translates well across all mediums so even though I personally would have preferred a heavier slant toward traditional media vs concept/animation (and had wrongly assumed that would be the case before signing up) I’m glad took the class as it’s a worthy addition to my toolbox of learning.
Valuable knowledge!
Bill is one of the best teachers I ever had! The way he breaks to the students such a complex subject as composition really helped me to see art and design in a new perspective, more refined and mature. This class is great for everyone in the art field, since Bill focus in the core elements of design and composition and these have universal applicability. It was an awesome experience!