Pictorial Composition (Composition in Art) (Dover Art Instruction) [Paperback]

Henry Rankin Poore (Author), Art Instruction (Author)

Book Description

Series: Dover Art Instruction | Publication Date: June 1, 1976

Learn principles of composition, classical and modern, through analysis of works from Middle Ages to present — Goya, Cézanne, Hopper, many others. Excellent discussion on the importance of balance, entrance and exit, circular observation, angular composition, etc. 148 illustrations, 9 in full color.

Product Details

• Paperback: 104 pages
• Publisher: Dover Publications; Reproduction of 1967 edition edition (June 1, 1976)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0486233588
• ISBN-13: 978-0486233581
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.2 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #131,649 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

143 of 144 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Really Deserves 6 Stars, January 8, 2002

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hamsterdance (TX) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Pictorial Composition (Composition in Art) (Dover Art Instruction) (Paperback)

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 picture
3. Circular Observation - circular composition, reconstruction for circular observation
4. Angular Composition - the triangle, the vertical line in angular composition, angular composition based on the horizontal, line of beauty, structural line
5. Composition with One or More Units - 2 units, 3 units, groups, the figure in landscape
6. Light and Shade - pricipality, gradation
Color Plates.....

If you really want to learn composition and get it down cold - get this book. It's a priceless gem.

57 of 57 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic, December 13, 2002

By A Customer

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This review is from: Pictorial Composition (Composition in Art) (Dover Art Instruction) (Paperback)

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.

47 of 48 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic Rules of Compositon Told., September 23, 2004

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Shock Writer (USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Pictorial Composition (Composition in Art) (Dover Art Instruction) (Paperback)

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.