Principles of Design: Introduction

Every artist puts a great deal of thought into how she will arrange a composition. For example, painters consider where they will position themselves to paint a landscape, sculptors are concerned with the position of their models, and architects evaluate the surrounding area prior to designing a structure. Even photographers carefully consider the picture they will capture. There are instances in which artists will modify their original plans because they aren't satisfied with the arrangement. Evidence can be derived from X-rays of paintings to see underdrawings and other paintings below the surface.