2D Compositions - Drew Struzan

This week we are focusing on the art of visual compositions. The structure of an image that allows a natural direction for the viewer eye to a target area, or make them feel like they are actually in your image. Drew Struzan utilized composition like a science during his career making movie posters. For this assignment, I will be taking one of his posters and recreating the image, ensuring the key elements of composition are carried over in the end product.

For this assignment I will be using his poster "Star Wars Darth Maul #2" that was used as the final key cover art for the marvel paperback comic.

In this image, I can identify at least 3 different compositional structures that are used by Drew to direct the viewers eye:

Radial

Cross

Circular

Using these structures, Drew can direct how a viewer's gaze tracks across his work, and with that, ensure the elements of his work that he deems most important are viewed first.

To start, I began with the basic background and Darth Mauls Facial patterns.

With my base down, I added some of the compositional elements down; with the ship and reflective light adding the cross/radial scenes to the work.

I then went in and cleaned up the two subjects of my image and added some comic-style shading to add an element of depth.

To add the final circular composition, and polish up the rest of the image, I added additional back lighting, bloom, and circular strobe patterns to the ship.