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VIEWING FRAME is a straightforward tool used to help with composition. Simply put, it is a square or rectangular window cut out of a piece of paper or other suitable material. There are two factors used to determine the dimensions of the viewing frame:
1- The proportions of the canvas or drawing paper you wish to use for your composition. Make the window proportional to this desired size. An example: your drawing paper is 18" x 24"; the window could be 3" x 4" (1/6 size), or 4.5" x 6" (1/4 size).
2- How big the viewing area is from your point of view. If you are looking at a tree from up close, you need a large viewing window. Conversely, if you are looking at a person from across the room, you will need a small viewing window.
You look through the viewing frame with one eye, with the window level and plum to the earth (or more accurately, exactly perpendicular to your view), taking note of how the desired image fits within the borders of the window:
1- How close to the edge should something be?
2- What should be included/left out?
3- When should an object cut through the edge of the window and out of the composition?
4- Use the window edge to help determine diagonals and their pitch.
5- Also use the window edge to gauge the proportions of objects to each other and the overall composition.
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Above are some example views as seen through a viewing frame. Notice how different the compositions are! The white spaces around and between the subject are very important to the overall aesthetic. This space (negative space), along with the main subject work together to create a dynamic composition. Which one is your favorite? How about least favorite? WHY??
DEFINITION:
Composition: the spatial property resulting from the arrangement of parts in relation to each other and to the whole; "harmonious composition is essential in a serious work of art".
Negative Space: the unoccupied areas or empty space surrounding the objects or figures in a composition.
Download this document without the images (Word Document) here: Viewing Frame.doc
