Principles of 2D Design

I agree with Ashley that this chapter is chock full of information. Thankfully, though, many elements that Stewart explores are already things we know intuitively. I think she gives a concise breakdown on all of the essential parts of what makes a composition effective (or not). I have to say that I knew most of these things already, just because I've needed to learn this kind of vocabulary in order to defend my opinions in critiques. Also, it's necessary to understand these elements in order to make work that is visually affecting in the way the artist intended it to be. Gericault's Raft of the Medusa has been used as an example to me a billion times, but I think that it's because it is such a visually dynamic piece that it never hurts to look at it again, as the prime example of how to effectively use movement to direct the eye to a focal point and maintain somewhat of an organized chaos. I think the explanation of weight and gravity is also an important part of this chapter because it's something that's often not achieved correctly. It requires practice and the ability to kind of step outside of yourself to realize whether or not the decisions you're making will hurt or help to create the right visual weight.