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PLANTS AND GARDENS56

Cropping and Composition

M A N Y STUDENTS WILL START a d r a w i n g in t h e m i d d l e o f t h e that its skin nearly touches the boundary. The meaning of the
same drawing changes simply by its relationship to the space
paper. Focused on the shape and detail of their subject, they it occupies. The size of any subject, its placement on the
remain happily unaware that there is, or should be, any page, the size of the page, and its overall proportion are all
relationship between what they are drawing and the surface discrete and essential aspects of successful picture-making.
they are drawing it on. The paper is only paper, and the
troublesome subject floats somewhere in the expanse of it. Before you begin to draw, think carefully about where to
place your subject. Are you are happy with your paper? If not,
However, a single fig drawn in the middle of a large, change it; add more, take some away, or turn it around. Do
empty square of paper gives quite a different impression not just accept what you are given, adapt it to what you need.
from the same fig drawn on such an intimately small square

CHOOSING A VIEW

A Single Fig

"The size, shape, and orientation of the paper are so integral to the
composition that they determine the impact and meaning of the drawing."