Composition exercises

Composition exercises in abstract painting that help develop the perception of form, balance, rhythm, and color for beginners.

1. Black and white compositions (value studies)

Task:

• Paint only with 2–3 shades (e.g. black, gray, white)
• Without lines, just light/dark areas

What is being trained:

• Hierarchy of main and secondary forms
• Focus point
• Rhythm and balance

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2. One motif – several compositions

Task:

• To paint a single motif (e.g., still life) 3–6 in different compositions
• Change:
  • format (vertical, horizontal, square)
  • point of view
  • location of the main object

What is being trained:

• A conscious choice of composition
• Negative space
• Image dynamics

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3. Simplification of forms (abstraction)

Task:

• Convert a real object in flat shapes squares
• Without details, just:
  • large shapes
  • medium-sized
  • small shapes

What is being trained:

• Shape relationships
• Composition "skeleton"„
• Balance between fields

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4. Composition with a limited number of squares

Task:

• Create a painting with no more than 5–7 squares
• Each area has a clear form and function

What is being trained:

• Clarity
• Visual economy
• Readability of the composition

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5. Diagonal and movement problems

Task:

• Base the composition on:
  • diagonals
  • S-line
  • spiral

What is being trained:

• Dynamics
• Gaze direction in a painting
• Tension and movement

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6. Color area compositions

Task:

• Use 2–3 colors + white
• Without a real plot

What is being trained:

• Color relationships
• Color scales in composition
• Mood

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7. Analysis of works of masters (copying)

Task:

• To repaint a famous work, keeping only the composition
• Change colors or theme

What is being trained:

• Compositional logic
• Understanding historical solutions
• Structure recognition

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8. Thumbnail sketches

Task:

• 5–10 cm sketches
• 10–20 minutes each

What is being trained:

• Quick decision making
• Compositional intuition
• Main highlight

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🟦 3-week composition training plan

(for beginners in abstract painting)

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🔹 Week 1 – Form and Balance

Task 1: Composition of 5 shapes

Materials: acrylic or gouache, 2 colors + white
Format: A4

Rules:

• No more than 5 shapes
• No details, no lines
• Shapes in different sizes

Objective of the task:

• Balance between fields
• Awareness of empty space

👉 Self-analysis:
Is any shape “falling out”? Is the center of the gaze clear?

Task 2: Center of Gravity

Rules:

• Create a composition where visual weight is at the bottom
• The other one – where up
• Third – diagonally

Purpose:
Understand how shape and position affect stability.

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🔹 Week 2 – Rhythm and movement

Task 3: Rhythm without a plot

Rules:

• Repetition of the same shape
• Only the size and distance change.

Purpose:
Learn to create movement without a story.

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Task 4: Diagonal

Rules:

• At least 70% shape based on the diagonal
• Without symmetry

Purpose:
Dynamics and tension.

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🔹 Week 3 – Color and tension

Task 5: Limited Palette

Colors:

• 1 warm
• 1 cold
• white

Rules:

• Color = shape
• Without contours

Purpose:
Colors as a compositional tool.

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Task 6: Tension and silence

Rules:

• 80% canvas – calm
• 20% – active (contrast, color, shape)

Purpose:
Deliberate use of contrast.

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🔹 Additional task (highly recommended)

Miniatures (daily)

• 5–10 cm sketches
• 3–5 minutes each
• 3–6 sketches per day

🎯 Purpose:
Develop compositional intuition without fear of making mistakes.

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❗ Golden rules for beginners

• Better simple + clear, than complicated
• If everything is “interesting” – nothing is important
• Stop early, not too late

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