Our eyes naturally scan as we look. In fact, it is difficult to hold our eyes in one position. They immediately tire (it’s called retina fatigue) and return to scanning. Another reason that the eyes continuously scan is that they search for fields of recognition. Upon recognition, the eyes continue to scan looking for more of the same. This is the perceptual basis for the compositional strategy we call repetition. It is important to note that repetition isn’t simply pleasing. It sets the eye in motion from one familiar focal point to the next.
Notice what your eyes are doing as they take in the Rembrandt painting below. What do you notice first? Where do your eyes take you next? And then where?
Notice what your eyes are doing as they take in the Rembrandt painting below. What do you notice first? Where do your eyes take you next? And then where?
After scanning the image from left to right, hovering over the light angular shapes of the collars, my eyes then land on the gentleman who is third from the left. Is this how the composition operates for you, too?
I'll write about why this is so in Part 2 of this blog. Suffice it to say for now, however subconsciously it occurs, our eyes begin looking at this painting with a lateral scan from left to right, guided largely by the perceptual tendency to follow the path of repeated conspicuous shapes--repetition. For those of you who are still unfamiliar with this compositional principle, simply equate it with visually "connecting the dots."
To be continued.
I'll write about why this is so in Part 2 of this blog. Suffice it to say for now, however subconsciously it occurs, our eyes begin looking at this painting with a lateral scan from left to right, guided largely by the perceptual tendency to follow the path of repeated conspicuous shapes--repetition. For those of you who are still unfamiliar with this compositional principle, simply equate it with visually "connecting the dots."
To be continued.
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