Van Gogh and Composition
Learn how Symmetry Effects your Drawings and Paintings.
How symmetry and asymmetry affect the composition and aesthetics of an artist's drawing or painting, as shown by Van Gogh's works.
Vincent Van Gogh was a master of placement and effect. By putting objects just so in his paintings and drawings he created drama and interest.
Have you ever considered the placement of objects in your painting? The placement of trees or a barn in a landscape, a teacup or flower in a still life, or a hand in a portrait can dramatically affect the way your artwork turns out. By moving just one element you can turn a ho-hum picture into something extraordinary. The trick is to know where and how to place your subject matter.
Symmetry, or balance between two halves of an object (in this case a painting or drawing), plays a pivotal part in your work’s interest to the viewer. There are three types of composition to consider:
Symmetrical
Symmetrical paintings or drawings have the same number of objects on each side; each side is a mirror image of the other. Faces, for example, are usually symmetrical.
Here is a sketch to show what I mean. This is very simplified, but as you can see, there is the same amount of eye "weight" on each side, meaning your eye is not drawn to a certain element in the drawing. All the parts are equally important.
Symmetry is handy when you want the viewer to take in every bit of the painting. This can be a bit boring, if not handled with a little extra zest. For example, zooming right in on the main subject of the work can be quite surprising and interesting.
Asymmetrical
Asymmetrical paintings and drawings are not symmetrical. They usually tend to have objects that are off-center or more on one side than the other. Here is a q quick example. This type of placement is sometimes used to create drama in the work as Van Gogh did in Starry Night.
Asymmetrical Balance
Asymmetrical balance is when objects are used to counterbalance each other in a painting or drawing. This is the most interesting way to create a painting. The eye will flow from one object to the next. Vincent Van Gogh’s Sunflowers is a great example of this. As you can see, neither side is a mirror image of the other, but there is balance. His sketch The Chair is also a good example of asymmetrical balance.
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