Hey everyone, I'm trying something new, a different type of visual arts learning challenge that I hope you'll consider joining.

I'm calling it:

Compvember

This is a challenge open to all visual artists (not just limited to drawing, but also photography, 3D art, ect.) to learn and practice the principles of Visual composition.

There will be a selected composition principle with an explainer or composition type selected everyday, although you don't have to do them in order. It's just to roll them out day to day. Try and do one everyday.

Example of Principle: Day one Rule of thirds

From Wikipedia:

The rule of thirds is a rule of thumb for composing visual art such as designs, films, paintings, and photographs.[3] The guideline proposes that an image should be imagined as divided into nine equal parts by two equally spaced horizontal lines and two equally spaced vertical lines, and that important compositional elements should be placed along these lines or their intersections.[4] Aligning a subject with these points creates more tension, energy and interest in the composition than simply centering the subject.

Some examples of practicing this:

here is a stick figure drawing from a better article about the Rule of thirds

In the same article here the author shows how this could be accomplished through ipad photography (which apparently had a rule of thirds grid toggle-able setting), you could also chop up two stock-photos or take some in game, or some 3D models like I did in clip studio

This is primarily a learning challenge, not for necessarily showing off. As long as you practice, it works, you are not required to stick to one medium or produce finished work, you can even take stock photos or older art and remix them, or draw stick figures, or take video game screenshots. Whatever gets you to practice that is accessible to you!

there's a screenshot from my carrie and Mr.Big Playthrough of BG3 that I put over the rule of thirds too.

Composition Type example: V-Type composition

Source

The main goals are: Consistency and practice, not showing off.

Feel free to ask questions to each other or see how others did theirs, you can join my server too if you want [Linked].

Some recommendations to keep you consistent:

  • Set a small, very achievable goal of 5-10 minutes to work on the challenge daily. If you don't feel like you can continue anymore, stop. You don't wanna make it something you hate.

  • Incorporating the challenge into work you're already doing, like fanwork, paid work, whatever, that's great! Snap a photo on the shitter, idc!

  • Share your work! Doesn't have to be in public, could be on the discord, DMs, whatever.

Excelsior! Onto the first challenge: Rule of thirds.

I'll be updating this as the month goes by with a small post with some resources/links but here's the full list in case you wanna skip around.

Full list of prompts:

  • Rule of Thirds

  • Repetition

  • Negative space

  • Symmetry

  • Golden Spiral

  • V-Composition

  • Circular

  • X-Composition

  • Framing

  • Triangles + Diagonals

  • Rule of odds

  • Line for itself

  • Opposing Colors

  • L-Composition

  • Tunnel

  • Golden Section

  • Golden Triangle

  • Cross

  • Balanced Scales

  • S-Compositions

  • Y-Composition

  • H-Composition

  • Radial

  • Spiral Section

  • Focal Mass

  • Z-Composition

  • T-Composition

  • Diagonal Composition

  • Free space! (try something new or combining 2 or more comps or rules)