Post 133: Composition 3. Leading Lines Create Depth

Composition: Leading Lines Create Depth

Part 3 of my series on Composition

Sort of like a flow chart, the lines directing your eyes through the page point where the creator wants you to follow to SEE the whole picture. A composition with leading lines can direct what you want to "point out" in your painting or your photo, your design.

What is a Leading Line?

Positioning objects just so in your design help to point out a feature. Much like you use your arm to point at something, someone can follow your arm to your hand, to your finger and the direction you are pointing to look at the object. In the design, the leading line can be a straight line, a curved line, an S-curve, or an 'implied' line. 

 

In the photo below, the lines on the sides of the river lead toward the city, the reflection lines in the water and the curve of the line above and in the water all frame and have you focus on the city in the background.

 

 

Photo by Hao Zhang on Unsplash  

A leading line can create a sense of depth for the viewer.

 

Photo by Oliver Plattner on Unsplash

Repetitive objects, which we know are the same size, gives you a sense of depth and the sidewalk lines, the column rows, the row of lamps all lead you to the final end point.

 

Photo by Chris Curry on Unsplash 

 Other elements that can be leading lines are a row of benches in a park, or a bridge leading to another spot across the water. The reflection in the water and the clouds stretching above the horizon can be leading lines as well.

 

Other examples are sidewalks, roads, paths, street lights - all leading to a subject.

Think about those ways to direct the focus in your next composition.

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This is part of a series of blog posts on the guidelines, or rules of composition. Look for all of them in the Search this Blog feature at the top right by searching for the word "composition". I hope you enjoy the posts!

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Local Art: Visit us at Clearbrook Center of the Arts at Tackett's Mill in Lake Ridge, VA on Saturdays and Sundays from 1 to 4 – it’s free to see the artwork! Want to join PWAS? Go to https://www.princewilliamartsociety.com/membership

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Author: Donna Liguria
An artist member of PWAS in Woodbridge, VA specializing in acrylic painting. She paints landscapes, seascapes, animals and many subjects. Visit her Website at https://DonnaLiguriaArt.com & her Blog at https://donnascavepainting.blogspot.com/.