How to Learn the Composition of Landscape Painting

Author: Lü Yunsu
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-01-01
Features: Composition, also known as arrangement or layout, is a crucial aspect of landscape painting creation. It is the prerequisite that determines whether a landscape painting is good or not. Just like a building, if its structure is unreasonable, no matter how luxurious or elaborate the exterior decoration and renovation are, it will not be sturdy or practical. Additionally, composition must be combined with the artistic conception of the painting, meaning the composition should harmonize with the content of the artwork. Landscape painting composition should utilize the law of unity and struggle, reflected in forms such as the relationship between the dominant and subordinate, response, distance and closeness, void and solid, sparse and dense, concentration and dispersion, opening and closing, concealment and revelation, balance, black and white, and size. Opposition is change, and unity is balance. We should unify and balance these opposing relationships within the artwork to complete a good composition. Composition requires us to find order, trace the context, and distinguish the primary and secondary among the complex and ever-changing phenomena in nature and life. This makes the theme of the artwork clear, the content prominent, and imbues it with a rhythmic and harmonious natural beauty. Therefore, we should face nature and life, "search for all extraordinary peaks to draft," where "searching for" means extensive collection, and "drafting" means careful selection. Through refinement and selection, we can create good and new compositions.