An Artist’s Guide to Composition: Using the Elements of Design for Better Landscapes

“Painting the landscape is not about duplicating every detail or copying the specific features of a location exactly,” says watercolor artist Shuang Li. As artists, our job is to interpret a scene, using the visual language of our craft — the elements of design: line, shape, color, value, and texture. By carefully observing nature, we can train our eyes to see these visual elements at work and find the clearest way to express our creative vision in a painting.

Elements of Design for Watercolor Artists:

Line: Manipulating the movement of visual elements within a scene can lead the viewer’s eye to specific areas and create a better visual flow than what is actually present.

• Curved lines suggest comfort and ease
• Horizontal lines suggest distance and calm
• Vertical lines suggest height and strength
• Jagged lines suggest turmoil and anxiety

Shape: Adjusting the relative width and height of objects can affect proportions, changing how we relate to them. Shapes can be used to control your feelings in the composition of an artwork.

• Squares and rectangles can portray strength and stability
• Circles and Ellipses can represent continuous movement
• Triangles can lead the eye in an upward movement
• Inverted Triangles can create a sense of imbalance and tension

Color: Altering the color scheme, or using primarily a warm or cool color palette, can establish a particular mood or atmosphere. We can also use color to create:

• harmony and balance
• light
• pattern
• form
• symbols
• movement
• contrast

Value: Varying the placement of lights and darks within the composition can alter the character of the scene. Value can be used to create:

• contrast
• the illusion of form
• a dramatic or tranquil atmosphere
• a sense of depth and distance
• a rhythm or pattern within a composition

Texture: Accentuating the perception of texture can create rhythm and emphasis. Texture can be created with:

• expressive brushstrokes
• spattering
• blossoms
• applying salt
• drybrush techniques

Born, raised, and classically trained in China, California-based watercolor artist Shuang Li moved to the United States 30 years ago. Shuang paints watercolor both on location and in her studio, portraying the extraordinary variety of life with her unique perspective. With masterful classic and contemporary techniques, she recreates nature’s beauty in her paintings by capturing moods and moments of light with her singular poetic expression. Shuang is a signature member of National Watercolor Society, San Diego Watercolor Society, Watercolor West and elected Artist Member of California Art Club.

Shuang Li shares her process for painting compelling waterscapes in the DVD, “FEARLESS WATERSCAPES WITH SHUANG LI.”