Words are made up of curved and straight lines. For ex-
ample, the word ART written in printed capitals has three
diagonal lines, one curved line, three horizontal lines, and
two vertical lines. Line is an important element of composi-
tion, whether it comes from writing or drawing. Like lines,
words can provide a pathway from one part of a painting
to another. Horizontal and vertical lines of print can give
structure. Even a barely legible, scrawled phrase can ani-
mate a plain area, encouraging a viewer to examine it more
closely. You don't have to be a calligrapher to make words
look interesting. It only takes a little bravado to add a few
freeform flourishes and swirls to numbers or letters'
Changing Styles
Remember when you were a teenager and you used
to practice your signature in a dozen different styles?
Chances are you were trying to find a way to express your
personality. A particular font or style of writing can suggest
a certain mood or character: Serious, frivolous, comic,
scary, crazy, formal, romantic.
The printed word is often more precise in appearance, more orga-
nized. Look for variety in found text. Handwritten characters, on the
other hand. can be free-flowing and may be quite decorative.Word Labels
A word or two can complement your pictures and add con-
tent to the "story" you are creating. The interpretation of a
photo of a small boy standing beside a dog can be altered
by the addition of a particular phrase like "time for a walk"
or "best of friends." However, it can sometimes be more
intriguing to use words that leave something up to the
imagination. How about "waiting" and "wishing"? With less
obvious labels like these, everyone will dream up slightly
different meanings, depending on their own experiences.The word "bravadon
copied and enlarged
from a dictionary adds
poignancy to the image,
perhaps suggesting
that the newly married
couple will soon have
to part as he goes off
to war.81