This language is not what I think it is, but is it art? October 11, 2012 3:20 AM Subscribe What is a good resource for understanding art theory - book recommendations, websites, things of that nature. I keep finding myself realizing that there's uses of language in art that doesn't match up with what I think it should be. As an example, I am hoping to get into a graphic design program at one of the local community colleges. I'm fairly facile with the tools - Photoshop, InDesign, working on Illustrator - but some of the requirements use words I know in ways I don't quite get. I am assuming they don't want you do draw two squares, two circles and two triangles in a pleasing manner, but with some kind of arrangement of things. They want an interesting composition. A generic art theory book isn't going to do a very good job of teaching composition, it's already got enough on its plate. For books on composition, I recommend Jack Hamm - Drawing Scenery, and Trinka Margua Simon - The Art of Composition. Until you've picked up those books, just do the exercise anyway. Don't try to do one good drawing, committing immediately to your first idea. Do lots of little thumbnail studies, churning through your own ideas for abstracts and realistic pieces. Try working in 3 or 4 values*, using a few sharp and blunt soft pencils**. You should probably pick up "Graphic Design - the new basics", and