Composition for Noobs | Beginner Guide

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Learn the basics of composition so you can take your photos, artwork, video and digital art to the next level!
Colour Theory for Noobs: • Color Theory for Noobs...
Photography for Noobs: • Photography Basics for...
Instagram : / julianball
Twitter : / julianjball
My Website : julianball.com
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Julian Ball / Flow Graphics

[@haxjason5790]

I've learned more in less than 20 minutes than an entire school year of art.

[@yyg4632]

What school did u go to? I learned this all freshman yr

[@TTGLphantron]

bad teachers here too : l i was a headless chicken my entire first year of architecture because that, thank you for this video dude

[@Patch.of.clover]

My art teacher cared more about art history than fundamentals, which, for those of us who actually wanted to learn how to make art, it left us in the dust. Needless to say, I empathize. Nevertheless, I like to think my art still progressed despite bad teachers.

[@lpsfankanr1]

@@jimbow25 There is a lot of people who have the knowledge, but have no idea how to pass it on or just don't want to try and suddenly they become teachers. Note: they become BAD teachers. And it's more common than you think. It's sad to see people like you trying to make others feel inferior and like "an idiot" for no reason. You must have awful self-confidence and self-love issues if you like insulting others and think that's okay/funny. Hope you'll stop doing this and get better.

[@angelp2092]

I hate that people here are trying to make others feel bad for having a bad education, which isn't their fault. I only know some of this because I did my own research online and I literally did art based programs my whole childhood They just weren't good. You realize as you are becoming an adult who wants to presue art how far behind you are while applying to colleges that people who had better education are also applying to. Art is terribly underfunded and it hurts potential future artists. It doesn't mean you are stupid or have less passion, other peoples base knowledge is just a privlage you don't have. We have to try harder, and shouldn't be called idiots for seeking knowledge and trying to grow as artists.

[@allanvargastomas3493]

story: getting out of my house once quarantine is finished

[@ThBlueSalamander]

unrealistic

[@neo6118]

* laughs in well that's never gonna happen *

[@fatfurry]

Correct

[@reybalderstone]

I learn more from you than my art class art school! They just give us paint and tell us to make stuff, and we don’t actually learn about any of this stuff.

[@prettymoon433]

Hannah Balderstone that’s so disappointing :( I’m sorry

[@hananyu]

Ye they do that here too! Exept we've been doing origami and cutting paper for 2 years now. Making cubes, piramyds, but barely even drawing with a pencil 🙄

[@doeverything2615]

Same. I'm in my last year of college and I'm frustrated cause I chose Art Projects instead of Art Painting which was incredibly different than what I did in Art painting through years of it. So I've been asking her a lot of questions and now shes ignoring me and picking on me for asking for help. She doesn't even do anything in class as were seniors so we don't really need help. Except I do need help as I'm struggling, but she would rather laze around than actually work.

[@leenordgomez4275]

My art club teachers do this to us so for 1 hour every Friday weekly I barely didn't learn anything. glad am a self learner

[@garry9009]

Ur teacher might be scared that u get better than him and steal his job ahahaha

[@av3stube480]

Damn, the part about flow feels like black magic. I just... Look at the small drawing in a natural way, and then you perfectly described how I looked at it... I just went 'what'

[@boxed_in4357]

Amazing ain’t it?

[@AlcheonArt]

1. Looks like a complementary color group 2. Storywise: makes me think of a guy leaving his apartment preparing to venture out into the sea 3. Rule: Fibonacci spiral

[@rift7573]

Why has nobody replied to this

[@Superbuchi]

@@rift7573 Oh wow, you're right

[@hsenpai4843]

I still don't understand. I'm trying my best to learn tho I'm a slow learner😓

[@MG-fr3tn]

Top left to person line for eye movement. Colors positive,poignant moment as a whole. About to jump or slip viewing the figure. Layout some Greek maths I think.

[@arnoygayen1984]

Depressed in life, about to suicidé.

[@headecas]

I NEED A FOR NOOBS PLAYLIST STAT

[@justagoofyahhusername]

Then make one

[@bakdimakk4062]

Tf nigga

[@kitosanimations]

@@bakdimakk4062 language

[@bakdimakk4062]

@@kitosanimations sorry

[@nox3557]

When in a conversation people call me NOOB ----> :( When I find a video for NOOBS ----> :)

[@sky_maggot2865]

I like how he adds a challenge at the end of the video - it really makes you think and insures that you know what was going on in the video. in summary: this video really helps a lot 😂

[@xamboyo]

"i'm really bad at drawing cars... so be nice!" *turns out to be a very car-looking car* meanwhile my cars looks like the sausage i ate for lunch

[@MisokoFukumoto]

start having cars for lunch then, to start drawing cars jk jk same, except my hotdog car looked burnt

[@zeydalynn8634]

@@MisokoFukumoto so in order to get better at drawing people.... 0_0

[@MisokoFukumoto]

@@zeydalynn8634 cannibals have been misunderstood. They just want to draw people better :(

[@ejl8412]

😂y'all in these replies are crackheads

[@minecraftmadison462]

What the frick is wrong with this relply section

[@MrScreamingSilence]

Color group: looks like two complementaries to me. Yellow and purple and blue and orange. Maybe there's a specific name for that, like quadruple color scheme? Story: guy watches a dusk or dawn from the roof of an old house that is on top of a hill, overlooking the city. Since there are ships, maybe he wants to be a sailor, or is a sailor and has to leave soon? Maybe he awaits someone or something. Rule: first impression was Fibonacci spiral, because of the curved beach, the tree branches continuing the line to the man on the roof, but looking at it again there also seem to be "action" lines or rather leading lines that lead to the upper left corner of the picture. The roof and left edge of the picture come from the foreground and lead to the reflected sunlight which again leads to the sun off-screen

[@Camm604]

I just watched a video on it...I think they called that a double complimentary color scheme

[@demifox1031]

Hey just watched this actually but am curious don't you think you might over thought it out. Like if you put the grids in the guy sits at the bottom right and it stretches out to the see. And for the color he used the purple for it's silent and and the blue is loud but the orange and light grey pull the eyes for the story I loved them all

[@dreamsprayanimation]

the simple stick drawings he creates at 7:28 look extremely good and pleasing to the eye even tho they are just doodles. Really shows the power of composition and color theory.

[@Jay_Hendrix]

Dude I subconsciously followed the rule of thirds in photography without even knowing about it 0_0

[@zeydalynn8634]

ikr? I took a photography class and I was following the rule of thirds before I ever heard the term! I had looked up pictures that good photographers took and tried to replicate their technique, and I think while doing so I subconsciously picked up the rule of thirds.

[@frida507]

@@zeydalynn8634 I think you may intuitively gravitate towards it. A sense of balance but more interesting than a completely centered subject.

[@kambedaisuke853]

color group: the whole background is in cool colours and the part you wanted to emphasize is done in warm colours .it makes a contrast between the them. story: a guy enjoying sunset view on the top of his house on roof (or he depressed and is trying to suicide) rule: golden spiral

[@firstnamelastname28491]

me: i can draw okay... also me: watches a video titled "composition for noobs" for 18 minutes straight (the video was helpful tho so its okay lmao)

[@mintyfresh2357]

andra same

[@yeetlord6956]

Same :P

[@citrus4419]

there’s nothing wrong with that:)

[@tibfox]

I take this lesson for my videography and photography so at least it was helpful for me :D

[@miguelpina2006]

Imagine thinking you can draw so well that you dont need help or advice...

[@pennybob64]

Rule of thirds, negative space, complementary colors (blue & orange). Story: A young boy or man, looks out to sea wondering about his destiny or desire for adventure!

[@duuplo]

Really good video, you actually covered a lot of stuff and explained it visually very well!

[@MLeoM]

He was born an artist AND an excellent explainer. He's so efficient with it.

[@irondeficiency5136]

thanks for this vid, it really helped! my take on the picture at 17:32 is: - color/colour group: mostly warm colors (oranges, yellows, warm greens) contradicting the cool colors (purplish stuff, blue) - story (my fave part :) :this scene is the beginning of an adventure where the main character (human) is running away from home to follow his dreams of being a ship captain/sailor. his parents never approved, but this one day he got super fed up and ran away. he dreams of sailing all seven seas one day like his great uncle, Mr. Sailor-Dude, who all of his relatives despised (sailing was frowned apon in their heritage). i guess it's kinda a mash of coco and moana lol - rule/lines: i first looked at the dude, then the tree, which is curved towards the ocean which i then look at, and then the lines of the ocean go back to the character. hope you like my interpretation :)

[@RenderingUser]

your story sounded like it came out of a one piece backstory nice

[@danicagracesalgo6968]

@@RenderingUser 😂😂

[@PureCurebyFaith]

@@RenderingUser I'm all for marine characters in One Piece. I'd say I wish there were more fleshed-out marine characters, but I don't have the heart to see more likeable characters being squashed by Luffy again

[@RenderingUser]

@@PureCurebyFaith again?

[@clairestark5419]

Color group: orange and blue Story: a man, looking down from a rooftop, at a crystalized landscape and a beautiful sunset, contemplating reality and his existence Rule: rule of thirds

[@TwoAwesomeGamers]

Great vid man :)

[@vg4025]

Homework: 1. Complementary colors, the stuff u wanted to emphasize was more saturated 2. He is chilling on top of a house and starting at sunset while waiting for bad guys to make a move so he can stop em 3. the rule of thirds (the character and the sunset are both placed on focal points

[@mxlkiiway902]

This feels like I’m attending art school on KZbin for free! Thank you :)

[@SomeSimpleGaming]

A man used to race sailboats. It's evening time and he comes out to look at once was his life for so many years. Due to his work injury. He is no longer to able to endure the rough waves, the rocking of the sailboats on his fragile spine. One slip could hinder himself paralyzed. He is standing there leaning towards the sea. Excited to see the beautiful sight, and to reminisce the good ol days. (This is my story, just slightly different scenario). I felt that and brought a tear to my eye. I have a sever spinal injury. I went from riding 4 wheeler ATVs to doing art and games.

[@FlowStudio]

I made the challenge a little hard.. if you want the answers, scroll down on this comment to see if you were correct! . . . . . . . . . 1. Complimentary colour scheme, using orange/yellow to pop against a blue background. I'll also accept the use of bright/saturated colours (sunlight) to pop against the darker desaturated background (blue). 2. (Any answer is correct!) This is just my take: A sailor lost his son at sea and swears never to sail again. He's looking out into the ocean in fear and intrigue thinking about the best and worst days of his life out on the water. He bought a house at the top of the hill overlooking the bay so he can always be close to his son and the ocean, yet still far enough away that he's safe from his own demons. Wow that was deep.. 3. Fibonacci spiral! Starts in the bottom left and spirals up into the top right corner ending on the person.

[@henfinzim]

I thought of the city as a barrier between the person and the sea, but in my case I imagined a boy that wanted to go to the sea but couldn't.

[@guilhermems]

I got 1 and 3 right. But the story in my mind was completely different. To me he's just admiring the sunset after a long day of work in the city.

[@FaithOriginalisme]

it's actually the blue of the city and the orange of the roof top drawing your eyes to the dude standing on the roof.. but holy wow, what a beautiful story you built out of that!!!

[@marcestinville4118]

You should pin this to the top

[@JakeSmith-mq5dc]

What's the rule of Fibonacci spiral? How is it applied here. (Looks like I got all 3 wrong)

[@naovyne]

Me: doesn’t know what composition means Me: watches cuz imma noob at a lotta stuff

[@strabeex-alt940]

haha... same :,)

[@vivekgogate3068]

Same 😸😸😸😸😺😺😺

[@KuyaB69]

This was really cool. I've known about most of the things you talked about for many years now, but to see the side by side comparisons of the same image is eye opening. It really shows how important it is to take the rules of composition seriously. Thanks for this video!

[@ur.left.buttcheek]

7:35 But I like the left side better... it feels more interesting Thanks Bubble dragon, you're right that was most likely the point

[@sizzlybubbledragon5854]

I think the point isn't that the colors are bad, but that the overlapping colors make an image harder to read and feel more amateurish

[@Rainime]

there's no right or wrong in art

[@ur.left.buttcheek]

@@Rainime This reply is wrong: Who are you now? Picasso? "There is no right or wrong in art" Well no shit Sherlock, but what does that have to do with this comment or reply? Anyway, something can look more 'right' sometimes, although it is mostly subjective

[@Rainime]

@@ur.left.buttcheek god you are so freaking sensitive. I was just saying that the VIDEO wasn't saying there's a better version. NOT YOU. You seemed to have got from the video that they were saying one version was better than the other, and I was saying either one can be preferred depending on the person. I was AGREEING with you but you just had to get defensive. 🙄

[@ur.left.buttcheek]

@@Rainime Oh, I see now, woops sorry, it was late and uhh I was tired, you're right I was just being sensitive and defensive and I didn't see your intention then judged you wrongly

[@MnzsT]

I've been looking for a video like that for ages! Thank you. Outstanding explanation.

[@artkat7722]

1: The colour group is quite complementary because it made the guy,house and a tree stand out from the scene. 2: This made me think of the story where the guy standing at the roof of the house is looking far into the sea. 3: Not only did you use rule of thirds(i assume), you use leading lines with yellow highlights to create the direction where the guy is looking. pretty helpful thanks

[@asjw5533]

thank you so much for making this! My art class has me learning nothing but, this has me learning everything that I need to know!

[@seune.o4814]

You explained this so well. I never really understood how composition worked before but this was really cool and helpful

[@gamasierra]

Brilliant. I know all this stuff since I've been a photographer and designer for more than a decade but this is still one of the best explanations out there. And I still watched it! Love it.

[@user-ot8wl7oh9s]

thank you! My eyes trained enough already by self taught to know this kind of stuff and my art class never taught anything about this. This video really gave me more insight of what i was doing!

[@Kata_Rin]

wow. this is so helpful. i watched another video on composition but it totally didn’t make sense to me when the person explained it even though it said the video was beginner friendly!! this is really something i can finally understand. i’m not an art major but a biochemistry major who does art as a hobby so i’m not really good with technical things haha, so i appreciate this video!!!

[@shrinidhikulkarni4062]

I've seen this and your colour theory, and they are sooo much the basics I really need thank you for this

[@varshachatterpaul4233]

saw your color theory n then saw this n I was mind blown I love the way you explain things

[@francisleoni2448]

I love how you explain it! So simple and easy to understand.. just like friend talking to a friend 😂💕 love your channel, keep growing! ❤️

[@elizabethdoesWM]

This is all great for self learning artists. Please make Playlist with all those videos and keep doing those cool short lessons. Really helped!

[@jim6363]

some concepts here ive been trying to grasp for a time now and you just made it easier and now everything makes sense. Whenever I talk about composition they just give me a set of rules ans never tells me why. Thank so much. omg.

[@_yojanaregmi]

That fibonacci sequence rule improved my art instantly. Looking back, i always blocked the flow. Now with the same strokes/style, drawings look much much better. Thank u so much. ❤❤❤❤

[@lawrencebrooks5996]

You are a delightful teacher! I wish I had you when I was in college at Cal State Northridge. What we needed there was a good teacher in composition (we had none). Sigh. It was always assumed we already knew composition in art..... we had a poor admin group coming up with the courses there unfortunately. I'm learning new things through you I should have been taught over 40 years ago - THANKS.

[@benjidike6749]

This video and your other one about colour are incredibly helpful. Thank you! Please make more.

[@Illustrioustaco]

I find these videos to be very helpful thank you. I like doing drawings and comics for fun (I'm the noob :3) and I loved the color composition video a while ago but didn't check out your other content. I'm regretting that because this video was very helpful too and I know I'll be thinking about it the next time i play around with art. Thank you for making this.

[@ryanmiguelsantiago]

thank you for sharing the rules on composition. been finding it difficult how to place elements on drawings, and how some drawings look good while others meh - rule of thirds and placement, avoid overlapping lines, thanks!

[@MeTube-sg1tx]

Shadow/sunset, someone climbed up a mountain through a city and now hes looking at what he accomplished and you balanced the negative space? Enjoyed watching 👍

[@Nusrich_06]

This video has tought me more about composition that 5 years of art lessons ever have

[@mandywhite8802]

So enlightening - thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience so generously

[@J1bbArellano]

This is really good man, keep it up!

[@JuanManuelTastzian]

Thanks for the video, Julian! It was really helpful and thorough, yet simple to follow. Keep it up! I nailed the colour group and the rule, but thought that the Fibonacci rule was starting in the upper left corner, down the sun reflection, then up the house/tree and then down again on the character. I guess I didn't really care for the little houses down the hill haha.

[@annecollier8741]

The spiral can start at either corner

[@adamsal9969]

Yo thanks! your quick sketches of cars in the city are better than my best drawings. So awesome to learn so much. Thank you again!

[@lunar_haze]

Amazing video! It helped me to comprehend a lot of theory that I was struggling with, thanks!

[@lauragrace5622]

The line of action (and visual loop) draw my attention to our character, who's outfit stands out against that blue/purple colour. I then look to the tree, which hints how high up the character is. I then look back to the sea, where I see tons of sailboats (what if they're coming to attack? Lol, "Revenge of the Sailboats") then the beam of light across the water draws me to the contrasty yellow highlights and back to the character. No looking off the image with this loop. Colour scheme also makes me look at certain things (highlights, which imply time of day, and the orange-ish roof, which then makes me look at the character). Thank you for this video; I feel much more educated about composition. OH! And it follows the rule of thirds.

[@4ngeek]

I was impressed how good your doodles are looking

[@dancu9271]

A lot of thanks for making and sharing your video!!

[@salmonn_gz7987]

so i'm playing M83 on spotify in the background while watching this, it feels magnificently cozy learning. it's like subconsciously i could absord more eventhough i've had too much as now

[@sweethomes674]

Excellent explanations and techniques 😊

[@nestormairena_0331]

GREAT EXPLANATION ON WHAT IS AN HOW IMPORTANT IS COMPOSITION IN THE ART WORLD

[@thomasfieschi-rose3705]

Quick tip for Julian, Move your cursor out of sight of the OBS every time you change something so that you can pause the prerecording while editing to make it easier to follow along.

[@Ar-jn3nt]

Hey hey , i'm new here so i just feel like you actually make me feel like : okay i want to do that or i want to listen to you cuz you are really drawing my attention to your stuff and i feel like i really want to learn this and I'm so happy that i found you and good luck with what you are doing..✨💛✨ + Please i know i'm bad at English so DO NOT BULLY ME :(

[@grinch56]

I really don't know why but my brain confused the word decomposition with composition so i was like hmm how does a body rot do tell

[@stylejam]

Such a great video! Thank you!

[@sunny99179]

thank you so much! i really loved your style of art, simple and very effective,i wish i learn to do more simple,i always am trying to make my art style more simple

[@Ilikemyroom]

First 2 minutes of the video I realized: “ I should be taking notes.... *pulls out journal*”

[@AndrzejGieraltCreative]

Fascinating!

[@kgstarz]

I love how this can be used for photography as well

[@Grace-iq7mp]

I think that the composition of the last drawing is the golden ratio. I am not sure what color scheme it is. The drawing does make me think about the movie Rio from Bluesky. It reminds me of the shot from the movie where the boy who kidnapped the blue macaws is sitting on top of a roof reflecting on the wrong deed he did. It is night time in the shot making the emotional element of the scene feel, I guess, stronger in that it is sad. The drawing in this video, on the other hand, has light from the sun shining on all the buildings and trees and even on the person, making the scene feel happier, or more hopeful, or more encouraging than the Rio movie scene I mentioned. I also wanted to say that I really loved this video, and I learned a lot from it. I really appreciate the effort that this person made in planning the video and even demonstrating the techniques that he was teaching. Blessings to you and everyone reading this comment in Christ Jesus.

[@RoseaNebulaLaeta]

This is wonderful. I'm trying to build my story boarding skills ❤️

[@KevinDSaputra]

1. Warm colors. By the way you shaded it, it feels like a dusk setting. The man may be there but his shirt blended into the color of the roof. 2. The man on the roof cast his gaze upon the city and the golden line on the horizon. But no matter how long he stands, he still can't shake the feeling of loss in his heart. "This place was a lot warmer when you were here, Susan". 3. Converging Line rules. In the picture, there are abstract lines that lead the eyes towards the sea.

[@noirlavender6409]

Thanks dood, never been happier of being a noob

[@playboy_creates]

This was extremely helpful!!! Currently making compositions with simple shapes and can already see it come together by using this method. Heavily appreaciated >:)

[@ShirleiBarnes]

Rules of thirds it flows nicely, cool colours and story line. Thank you for the tips. I enjoyed it 😊

[@badis6717]

you explain so well :)

[@tomasblazek6687]

I am in awe of quality of this video. You crammed so much information on composition into twenty minute video, it's insane. Btw for the challenge, i think it was triatic color scheme. The character was looking out onto the sea, wanting to leave the big city. And you used Fibonacci spiral This video actually got me excited to learn more, something school failed to do. 😂

[@mulyanovaln]

Your explanation is so good and clear. I feel like you were telling stories to me instead of teaching. Anyway here's my thought on the challenge: - Color Group: Complementary (orange/blue) and Analogous (blue/green, yellow/brown) - Story: A guy on top of the building and he is about to conquer the world - Composition: Rule of three

[@DeianLightbringer]

Great Video! Very helpful!

[@treasuretroves5497]

Thank u so much! Awesome video.

[@misteriousgamr41]

If only teachers are like this. I learn more when things are very relaxed

[@chichi5985]

Color group: serene colors for the background, warm/bright colors for the person to symbolize hope maybe ? The yellow lighting definitely gives off a sense of hope/adventure Story: a newcomer who’s only been living in their new city for about a year but is still enamored with it and its endless possibilities every single day Rule: golden ratio

[@eric_the_egggremlin]

I'm trying to pick up knowledge so I can start drawing backgrounds/scenes/environments for commissions (anatomy is too hard, I'd rather draw a misty forest) and this was a lovely video to start of with. Thank you for this!

[@Explorerpark]

Your art is so good😩

[@Annieknows]

Challenge: Your using the orange and the blue as contrasting colours and the sunset gives a specific ambiance to the image. Story: someone wanted to see the sunset from an amazing viewpoint so he went up to his roof to enjoy it. Rule: i think you used the rule of thirds here. Awesome video! Can't wait to start drawing myself !

[@keithou4389]

you're a wizard. Artists are wizards! I just wanted a crash course but the magic I've only barely touched upon is being laid bare!

[@rianantony]

The silly little drawings with beautiful compositions is both hilarious and astounding to me

[@mikelezhnin8601]

1) for color groups, you separated the picture clearly by warm and cold colors 3) for the rules, you got some action lines (?) that lead to that sunset top-left, as well as some negative space between the man and the sea 2) as for the story, I think it's about the guy willing to go sailing, but also not really, since it's so nice and warm at home, where he is idk

[@mdashrafulalamabir7380]

Life time best videos on color...

[@scottcarney699]

Fabulous as always with your instruction. Color: warm and cools with complimentary colors. Story: individual taking in the views of the beginning or end of said day. Rule: Golden spiral leading to said individual.

[@rosewilliams6328]

I clicked on this because I thought it was about *music* composition. But I watched the whole thing because it was amazing! 😄

[@babygale8558]

This is awwwwesome! Thanks a lot!

[@thebeehutt]

Thank you ❤

[@kylaestoya]

I was so tense on learning, but then you started doodling the car. haha thank you for this video!!

[@PMXTube]

Explaination level + 10000 🔥

[@x_paintfx]

wow, lovely video, the best video on compositions I have ever watched

[@evanikolaieva]

thank you for the tutorial Julian!🙃

[@whenwillitbecold]

wow, this is really helpful

[@eveinthenight9854]

1. Complementary colors and contrasting tones with the warm oranges and greens against the background. 2. The figure just finished their “I want” song where they proclaimed their love of the ocean (urban Moana vibes) 3. Rule of thirds and a circular flow with the shore line and the tree’s contour. Thanks for a great video!

[@BananaDope]

sounds really useful, though I am not at this stage yet, I am practicing basic movements, shapes, and form

[@catswellthecat7855]

Great video, I learned a lot!

[@NetanelColish]

Thank you!

[@xbsidesx]

Amazing content, just mind blown

[@kyriesong1505]

Thank you so much for making this video