Developing An Eye For Landscape Composition

Learn to successfully see a landscape when painting in oil, watercolor, or acrylic or in photographic compositions.

What you'll learn

Break down the landscape into manageable broad planes.

Understand what differentiates landscape from other subject matter.

Identify the focal point in a landscape scene.

Determine the lines in a landscape and how they lead the eye.

Recognize composition design tools used by painting Masters.

Learn the common Dos and Don'ts of landscape composition design.

Be able to see or design a landscape composition that has the best chance of success.

Conduct a successful photoshoot to gather reference material.

Reconstruct a troubled composition to increase success.

Understand how to create and the benefits of creating a value sketch.

Use a Notan design to double-check composition designs.

Requirements

No prior knowledge is required.

A digital camera (or Smart Phone) and printer (or access to one) are highly recommended.

Students will need a pencil, 2 colored writing instruments, a black marker or pen, and several sheets of blank white paper.

Some kind of computer photo editing tool that you're familiar with is also helpful, but not necessary.

Description

"This has to be the best information I ever got on landscape composition. It is explained in an easy to follow format well supported with great quality video and photos." Diane F."I have been looking for a course like this for years. It was excellent and covered every aspect of the subject matter. The teacher was engaging and provided both photographic references and videos and gave material to download for future reference. I wish I had known about this course years ago and HIGHLY recommend it!!!" - Lois KA landscape composition design can mean the success or failure of a piece of art whether you paint in oils, watercolor, or acrylics; draw; or work in photography. In this course, professional landscape painter, Jill Poyerd, goes beyond teaching the rules - she teaches students how to "see" a landscape and then translate what they see into a successful design. Using her approachable, easy-to-understand teaching method and an easy pace, students of any experience level learn by watching visually appealing video instruction and working through over 22 student activities and quizzes. Topics discussed include what makes landscapes unique, the planes theory, focal points, compositional lines, design tools of the Masters, choosing a subject, conducting a photoshoot, reconstructing images, and then using value and notan sketches to check your designs. 

Overview

Section 1: Get to Know the UDemy Site

Lecture 1 How to Use the Course Tools (Optional)

Section 2: Introduction

Lecture 2 Introduction

Section 3: Breaking Down the Landscape

Lecture 3 What Makes Landscapes Unique?

Lecture 4 What Makes Landscapes Unique - QUIZ

Lecture 5 An Understanding of Values

Lecture 6 The Planes Theory

Lecture 7 The Planes Theory II

Lecture 8 The Planes Theory - QUIZ

Lecture 9 Exceptions to the Planes Theory

Lecture 10 Exceptions to the Planes Theory - QUIZ

Lecture 11 Determining a Focal Point

Lecture 12 Determining a Focal Point - QUIZ

Lecture 13 How a Composition Leads the Eye

Lecture 14 How a Composition Leads the Eye - QUIZ

Lecture 15 Dos and Don'ts of Landscape Composition Design

Lecture 16 Dos and Don'ts of Landscape Composition Design - QUIZ

Section 4: Landscape Composition Design Tools

Lecture 17 Rule of Thirds

Lecture 18 Extreme Horizon Line

Lecture 19 L-Shape

Lecture 20 S or Z-Shape

Lecture 21 Strong Diagonal

Lecture 22 Large Center Object

Lecture 23 Symmetrical Balance

Lecture 24 Asymmetrical Balance

Lecture 25 Triangulation

Lecture 26 Composition Design Tools - QUIZ

Lecture 27 When to Use The Tools

Section 5: Putting it into Practice

Lecture 28 Quick Recap

Lecture 29 Choosing a Subject

Lecture 30 Planning a Photoshoot

Lecture 31 Photoshoot I - Spring Meadow

Lecture 32 Photoshoot II - Water Scene

Lecture 33 Photoshoot III - Colorado Meadow

Lecture 34 Image Orientation

Lecture 35 Image Orientation - Masterpiece QUIZ

Lecture 36 Reconstruction I - Initial Image Review

Lecture 37 Reconstruction II - Narrowing Your Selection

Lecture 38 Reconstruction III - Final Review

Lecture 39 Checking Your Design - Value Sketch

Lecture 40 Checking Your Design - Notan

Lecture 41 Conclusion

Any visual artist of any experience level interested in landscape painting or drawing,Landscape Photographers