This document discusses the elements of visual composition, including line and shape. It provides definitions of line as the visual path that guides the eye, and shape as the external boundary or outline of an object. The document then shares diagrams from landscape architect John Ormsbee Simonds and illustrator Andrew Loomis that analyze lines and shapes, assigning them descriptive meanings and associations. Simonds' diagram maps 48 different "mood lines" while Loomis describes compositions based on basic forms, letters, and symbols.

1. LINES & SHAPES
I N V I S U A L C O M P O S I T I O N

2. Composition is the placement or arrangement of visual elements or
ingredients in a work of art, as distinct from the subject of a work. It can also
be thought of as the organization of the elements of art according to the
principles of art.
WHAT’S COMPOSITION

3. ELEMENTS OF DESIGN
Line

4. ELEMENTS OF DESIGN
Line Shape

5. ELEMENTS OF DESIGN
Line Shape Colour

6. ELEMENTS OF DESIGN
Line Shape Colour Texture

7. ELEMENTS OF DESIGN
Line Shape Colour Texture
Tone (Value)

8. ELEMENTS OF DESIGN
Line Shape Colour Texture
Tone (Value) Form (3d)

9. ELEMENTS OF DESIGN
Line Shape Colour Texture
Tone (Value) Form (3d) Space

10. ELEMENTS OF DESIGN
Line Colour Texture
Space Depth
Shape
Tone (Value) Form (3d)

11. LINE AND SHAPE
Line — the visual path that enables the eye to move within the
piece. Literal lines do not exist in nature, but are the optical
phenomena created when objects curve away from the viewer.
Shape — the form of an object or its external boundary,
outline, or external surface, as opposed to other properties
such as color, texture, or material composition.

12. LINES

13. Visionary landscape architect, planner,
educator, and environmentalist. In his
book Landscape Architecture, Simonds
put together a diagram of 48 Mood
Lines.
Through repeated use, certain patterns
and lines have gained universally
recognized meaning.
JOHN ORMSBEE
SIMONDS

14. ACTIVE PASSIVE
STRUCTURAL
SOLID, STRONG
NONSTRUCTURAL
FLUID, SOFT
STABLE UNSTABLE STABLE UNSTABLE
POSITIVE
BOLD, FORCEFUL
TENUOUS
UNCERTAIN, WAVERING
THE VERTICAL,
NOBLE, DRAMATIC,
INSPIRATIONAL, ASPIRING
THE HORIZONTAL
EARTHLY, CALM,
MUNDANE, SATISFIED
PRIMITIVE
SIMPLE, BOLD EFFUSIVE FLAMBOYANT REFINED
JAGGED, BRUTAL
HARD, VIGOROUS
MASCULINE, PICTURESQUE
CURVILINEAR, TENDER
SOFT, PLEASANT
FEMININE, BEAUTIFUL
ROUGH, RASPING
GRATING
SMOOTH
SWELLING, SLIDING
DECREASING
CONTRACTING
INCREASING
EXPANDING DYNAMIC
STATIC
FOCAL, FIXED
IN MOTION
MEANDERING, CASUAL
RELAXED, INTERESTING
HUMAN
ERRATIC, BUMBLING
CHAOTIC, CONFUSED
LOGICAL
PLANNED, ORDERLY
FLOWING, ROLLING
FORMAL, PRIESTLY
IMPERIOUS, DOGMATIC
RISING, OPTIMISTIC
SUCCESSFUL, HAPPY
FALLING, PESSIMISTIC
DEFEATED, DEPRESSED
INDECISIVE, WEAK PROGRESSIVE DEGRESSIVE
RISE
ATTAINMENT
WITH EFFORT
IMPROVEMENT
FALL
SINKING
WITHOUT EFFORT
INDIRECT, PLODDING
CONCENTRATING,
ASSEMBLING DISPERSING, FLEEING
BROKEN
INTERRUPTED, SEVERED
DIRECT, SURE
FORCEFUL, WITH PURPOSE OPPOSING CONNECTING CROSSING
PARALLEL
OPPOSING WITH HARMONY
EXCITED, NERVOUS
JITTERY
OPPOSING
WITH FRICTION DIVERGING DIVIDING GROWING DEVELOPING
Diagram of 48 Mood Lines documented in Landscape Architecture, by John Ormsbee Simonds

15. THE VERTICAL,
NOBLE, DRAMATIC,
INSPIRATIONAL, ASPIRING

16. THE HORIZONTAL
EARTHLY, CALM,
MUNDANE, SATISFIED

17. FALLING, PESSIMISTIC
DEFEATED, DEPRESSED

18. RISING, OPTIMISTIC
SUCCESSFUL, HAPPY

19. STABLE

20. UNSTABLE

21. OPPOSING

22. ACTIVE

23. STATIC
FOCAL, FIXED

24. RISE
ATTAINMENT
WITH EFFORT
IMPROVEMENT
FALL
SINKING
WITHOUT EFFORT

25. SHAPES

26. ANDREW LOOMIS
Was an American illustrator, author, and
art instructor. His commercial work was
featured prominently in advertising and
magazines.
Best known as author of a series of
instructional art books printed throughout
the 20th century.
Describes compositions based on lines,
geometric shapes, symbols and letters.

27. SHAPES

28. SHAPES

29. LETTERS & SYMBOLS

30. LETTERS & SYMBOLS

35. “A well-composed painting is half done.”
—Pierre Bonnard

36. FIN