The Complete Book of Drawing Techniques

38

Part One – THE PENCIL

Malevich

POSITIVE COMPOSITION
Shape as an underlying compositional device is
extremely important. In this example, after
Malevich, shape is used to bring a sense of
order, balance, rhythm, harmony, movement
and space to the picture plane. We see the
bones of the composition that any great
picture has as its structure. We can compare
this drawing to Gericault’s Raft of the Medusa.

Both have an underlying triangle that appears

to pull the eye upwards to the top edge of the

picture plane. This triangle is the base on

which the rest of the picture hangs and the

device that holds it together. All activity in the

picture revolves around this basic structure

and helps to move our eye through the picture

plane from bottom to top, and back and forth.

Line creates a

shape.

Playing with composition:

Shape overlapping

shape creates space. Tone emphasises space.