How to understand the visual meaning of each element in an illustration

01 Imitation

Imitation can be said to be a process of imitation and practice. Selecting your favorite illustrations as a learning object, dismantling the elements of the picture, summarizing the representative characteristics, and understanding its way of thinking is a process of understanding the original author's painting ideas and thoughts.

Formally speaking, we can break down an illustration into five components: composition, shape, sketch relationship, color matching and texture.

1. Composition

Composition is the skeleton of an illustration. Each element is arranged in the picture according to the designed position and size, which can form the most basic appearance of a picture. In summary, the most basic compositions are as follows:

1.1 Ring type

The ring composition is a very common composition with a strong sense of form, often in the center of the frame. A visual focus around which elements diverge/converge.

1.2 Symmetry

There is an axis in the picture of symmetrical composition, and the picture elements are symmetrical around both sides of the axis. This symmetry can be either absolute symmetry that pursues a strong sense of form, or dynamic symmetry that creates a visual balance.

1.3 Tiling

Tile composition pictures often do not have a clear visual center. All elements fill the picture evenly, emphasizing the overall unity.

1.4S type

S type composition is a very common composition method with flexible and changeable forms. I believe that many students who have received training in still life sketching must be familiar with this. The focus of S-shaped composition is not on whether the layout of elements is "S" or "Z", but on using misaligned layout to create space and enhance the rhythm of the picture. S-shaped compositions often have obvious hierarchical relationships, and the elements can be divided into front, middle and back scenes in space.