Tammara,
How are you enjoying your long weekend?
ANNOUNCEMENT!
This weekend Feb 21-22, 2026 I will be a vendor at Virtuous Con 2026!
Stop by and say hello!
Every now and then somebody says something that permanently changes how you see. Like when my wife first called Every Breath You Take by The Police the "Stalker Song." You can never hear it the same again.
That happened today during my drawing focus day– three sessions of sketching (I know, intense!). This was the first time I did that. But the reward was "shape composition vision." The ability to see how shapes are arranged in visual storytelling and to convey certain emotions.
I won't get into a detailed breakdown, but basically you take the three basic shapes: squares, circles, triangles and put them together in interesting ways to convey narrative.
In general, squares represent strength, stability; circles symbolize unity, friendliness; triangles turn into danger (think of a sharp knife).
When you combine these basic ideas you get emotional resonance from the viewer.
I even did an analysis of the book cover for my second novel Gates of Okinawa.
Looks like I unconsciously understood something about "shape composition" when I designed it.
Hope you found this interesting!
Until next time
-Keith
Session 1: Drawing (1.5 hrs)
Proko - Drawing Basics Course
- Shape Composition
- Rhythms
Session 2: Drawing (30 mins)
- Rhythms
Session 3: Drawing (15 mins)
- Rhythms
