You have a scene in your mind, and it feels perfect. But when you begin laying it out, something about it just feels “off,” and you can’t quite put your finger on it. If there’s nothing that’s jumping out to you as inherently wrong, your problem is very likely composition!
What is composition? Simply put, it’s the way individual features of your artwork are arranged! What’s next to each other, what colors compliment each other, what “path” you want the eye to take through your piece.
Every art piece is unique, and there’s always exceptions to the rules of composition. But let’s go over a couple best practices to keep in mind.
The Rule of Thirds
If you’ve been in the art space at all, you’ve likely heard of the rule of thirds! But this rule isn’t just for photography or painting – it’s important for sculpting too.
What is the Rule of Thirds? Simply put, it’s the aesthetic appeal of imbalance. A centered focal point works well for some things (like portraiture), but for many things, off-centering your subject adds visual weight, and it can guide the viewer’s eye.
When you’re using this rule for sculpting, you have much more room to play around. Since your piece is likely three dimensional, you can look at placement from multiple angles to consider what looks the very best!
To adjust the rule of thirds for sculpting, instead of thinking of ratio of focal point to empty space, consider one object taking two thirds versus one object taking one. Try to avoid anything being cut off at a halfway point and try to offset large focal-points to create an intentional imbalance.
1. Leading Lines and Varying Density
What’s a leading line? It’s a visual path you create for your viewer – it’s your guide through your work.
Consider height of objects, how different edges line up, and a convergence point in your piece.
In this example, gradually ascending objects draw your eyes up diagonally. They’re each unique features on their own, but when you look at the whole piece, your eyes travel fluidly.
Along similar lines (no pun intended!), you can use density to draw the eye in a certain direction.
Again, in this example – the rocky surface grows more dense, the moss gets less defused, more dynamic foliage starts to appear and then, with a few pops of color, your eyes are drawn upward, slowly taking in the whole piece.
1. Light and Color
Light reflection is a huge asset if you use it right! And that’s where effects and finishes can be extremely beneficial.
The Premo Metallics and Pearl lines work so well for this! Choose small details that can be scattered in a throughline. The metallics and pearl effects will catch the light and the eye, drawing you through the piece.
Color is also very helpful – just like in the example for density, the pops of color draw the eye to the top of the piece. In my opinion, gradients are also an incredible tool in composition! (Ever better if you do a color graduated into a pearl!)
When you as an artist sculpt, your pieces tell a story. And you can absolutely have a say in how your story is told, and where your viewer’s eye travels. When you keep all these suggestions in mind, your pieces will feel like a space your viewer can step into and explore.
Happy creating, and don’t forget to share your work with #howdoyousculpey!
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