I'm currently reading a book called:

Mastering Composition - techniques and principles to dramatically improve your paintings.  by Ian Roberts. 

Northern Light Books  

ISBN-13: 9781581809244

 

 

This is a great book for anyone looking to improve their composition skills.  I've learned a lot from it so far.  There are great exercises in it that are recommenced to do everyday, just like music practice, that help you to understand composition, both as a whole and in shapes and values. The book breaks the mastery of painting into component parts so that you practice in the most effective ways.  I highly recommend this book to anyone who thinks (or doesn't think) their composition skills need work (like myself), or for anyone who doesn't understand it's importance in painting.  This book is not just for beginners but for seasoned painters as well as Mr Roberts gets into some complicated stuff.

 

 

Thanks for the recommendation. It's always good to here of books like this.

Funnily enough I ordered this book today =) I'll be sure to post up how I got on with it, certainly has some excellent reviews!

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My Sketchbook

IFX Gallery

hmm this seems useful! I have been trying to find a good book on composition to improve some of my images. I usually only use the rule of thirds and everyone knows that's just not enough to make an interesting image. :D thanks for the recommendation. I think i'll have to give this a viewing :D

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It's a good book. Lots of exercises and theory instruction.  It's full of examples too.  It all fits in the fine art category which is a perfect subject to learn.  Once understood it makes breaking the rules easier.  I've got into the 3D world over the last year, and a bit away from painting, but this book still applies to what I've been doing.

Too true!  Regardless of what medium you use, all the rules are still the same.  It's just the tool that's different.  I've got this book too and have found it to be an excellent book for studying and learning composition.

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The only man that can get between me and my women is jack daniels!

Ordered today, looks like a good un.

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'I can press when there needs to be pressed; I can hold hands when there needs to be -- hold hands.' - Dubya Bush

Deviant Art

Hey i bought this book too because of this thread. Its very nice and has some good tips i recognized myself before but never thought clear about them.

I can recommend that book 100% too, over many others. Thanks for mentioning it.

Here's a You Tube link to the video version of the book.  It's a brief explanation of just a few of the topics covered.  The Author has some videos available now I guess.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSSB6LjrKNU

Well from the looks of this, I'm pretty much sold.

Methinks I could use a little help in the composition dept.

I'll order one soon enough.

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MY CA Sketchbook | www.solomonrussell.com | DeviantArt

Put my order in as well. lol!

I definitely need to buy this book, my composition skills suck, to put it mildly. I'd actually not heard of it before now, but it seems like a must-have. If only payday could come sooner

I've been studying this book for about a month now. Definetly gets 2 thumbs up. Gives great examples and sound advice. The approach is Simple, effective, and will definetly absorb what you need to learn about compositions. Thanks to whom posted this forum

Great to see people finding some use out of this.  I thought it was a great book and I'm happy this post has helped.  The book also makes a great composition reference resource for later on.  I go back to it sometimes when I need some compositional inspiration.  Don't shelf it to far after you read it.  As we all know, composition is a hard thing to work out when looking at a white canvas.

Yeah thats true DJ. I approached this book differently. I havent practiced drawing with studying this book on composition yet. Instead, I'm reading it and taking notes in my little notebook to understand and let it soak in. Then as soon as I finish, I will read and start working on my compositions, as little thumnails along the way. As I joined IFX I wanted to know what the basics to being a good artist really is. Since 've been on here people have pointed me in the right direction. For the first time in a long time, I  don't feel the need to pressure myself to draw a great, detailed drawing or painting everytime I decide to pick up a pencil or work out an idea. It makes so much more since to start loooking and studying for composition first.