Do you ever get the feeling that your creativity is drying up? Or that you’re not driven enough to keep creating new designs and pieces? Maybe it’s time to change the rubicon synonym! These 14 fascinating articles highlight different composition tactics for drawing, and will help you find an intriguing new way to compose artwork. Whether it be through the addition of perspective or inventing one’s own alphabet, these are sure to get your creative juices flowing again.
1. Perspectives
The correct use of perspective can make a huge difference to an artwork, but it can be very intimidating. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to incorporate convex and concave shapes into your drawing to give the viewer something to look at.
2. Designing with Letters
If you’re looking for something a little more serious and intricate in your work, then this article on designing with letters will be just what you need! One great way to develop characters is through drawing in their own unique language – which is exactly what Dyer does here. [artifact shout-out: Dyer draws his own elemental alphabet]
3. Polygons
It’s difficult to ignore how amazing the world is. It’s there in your eyes when you look at your artwork – whether it’s a simple drawing of a tree or an intricate portrait. So what better way to express this then with circles? [artifact shout-out: If you’re looking for an interesting way to incorporate circles into your work, try the variant symbol seen below.]
4. Using Warped Perspective
This technique goes by a few names – like Curved Perspective, and is one that I have taken advantage of in past works too. It can be used to add atmosphere and mystery to a piece (as seen below), which can sometimes set it apart from its surroundings.
5. Perspective within Perspective
Adding a second perspective to an image can immediately make your artwork more intricate – and more beautiful! These types of designs are always great to have on hand for whenever you’re looking for a new challenge, too.
6. Spirals
Spirals are one of my favorite shape to use as they can have so many different meanings and uses! Spirals can make great background patterns or add a nice flow between sections of a drawing (as seen in the image below). Use them in moderation, though, because an overuse could quickly become distracting. [artifact shout-out: The design alongside is great example of putting layered shapes together]
7. Creating Constellations
If your work involves a lot of stars then this tutorial is for you. There are a lot of uses for circles in art and the shapes can be varied in size, but this article highlights some of the most important ones. [artifact shout-out: If you can’t get enough stars, here’s another simple design idea]
8. Archiving Tattoos
Tattoos played a huge part in my life as a child, and I have used them extensively during my profession. Despite their negative meaning to many people, they are still something that can be incorporated into an artwork to express something deeper – something that even the original tattoo artist may not have wanted to say. [artifact shout-out: This article has a wonderful example of how to incorporate the tattoo into art]
9. Comparing Bodies of Water
Water has always been a theme that I’ve used frequently in my artwork, and this article will give you some great tips on how to incorporate it in new and interesting ways. [artifact shout-out: There’s something so beautiful about the simplicity of water’s curves]
10. Creating a Blurring Effect
I’ve been working on a lot of blurring techniques lately and so I found this article particularly interesting. It highlights several different ways to create the same effect, making it easier to explore different ideas. [artifact shout-out: There’s an example of how to use multiple images to create one seamless piece]
11. Doodles as Backgrounds
I love doodling – so I was particularly interested in this tutorial that highlights the complexity of some seemingly simple shapes. It helps to really show the creativity that comes in creating doodles, which can be a great way to cleanse your creativity when you’re feeling less inspired.
12. Creating a Circle Within a Circle
I’m particularly fond of this technique because it reminds me of the days I use to frequent graffiti websites, but with much better quality! This tutorial will help you create your own circle within a circle, or even an entire filled in design. [artifact shout-out: I’ve always wanted to do my own version of this design]
13. Using Dual Tone
Dual tone is a fantastic composition tactic to use, but it can be very difficult to pull off. But you will see that the result of using this technique is worth all the hard work! [artifact shout-out: I really love how two images can blend together so seamlessly]
14. Filled in Layers
This article really highlights how important the art of layering is. There’s just something about putting one image over another that makes one piece stand out more than another. [artifact shout-out: I love how the image below has a single line that can be used as a guide for the eye]
