Piotr as two figures in a composition •3

The challenge of combining the figures can vary according to the viewpoint. Rod’s viewpoint (below) made it easy to position the figures straightforwardly side by side.

However this does make the composition a bit static. I suggest perhaps the connection between the figures can be strengthened by a background shape. Ror instance:

Kathy (below) created a strong interaction with contrasting scale, helped by facial expression.

Again, a bit of background can integrate the figures and anchor them:

Roger (below) found one of his figures was on a slant, which felt unnatural…

…but straightening it up (below) disconnected the two figures. The overlap of the shoe was gone, as well as the dynamism that comes with a diagonal.

Perhaps the connecting could be better managed by sticking with the slant but making sure the figures have eye contact.

So, lessons from this session include:

Two figures increase the possibility of drama in a picture

Anticipate. Try to imagine the complete picture, not just the figure you are first drawing

Be ready to redraw figures in order to reposition and resize them if it will improve the composition

Overlap your figures to integrate the composition and enhance depth

Cropping can intensify relationships between figures

A background, however simple, can help bring figures together and add depth