Illustration Composition Tips: Struggling With Layout? Start With Lines

When you’re drawing illustrations,
have you ever thought…

“Something about the mood just doesn’t feel right…”
“I can’t decide on a composition—ever…”

If that sounds familiar, there’s a simple trick that can solve the problem surprisingly fast:
think about your lines.

In this post, I’ll explain what lines are and introduce three types of lines that strongly affect the impression of an illustration—

🌿 Horizontal lines
🌲 Vertical lines
💥 Radial lines

—in a way that even beginners can start using right away.

■ Lines Create the “Atmosphere” of an Illustration 🎨

Every drawing has a dominant flow of lines, even if you’re not consciously aware of it.
No matter what you draw, those lines will appear on the canvas.

And that’s the key point—
once you start designing those lines intentionally, you gain control over your image.

Before adding details, simply checking the direction of your lines can instantly make your composition feel more convincing and polished.

■ ① Horizontal Lines → Stability, Calm, Peace 🌅

Horizontal lines give the impression of:

• Stability and balance
• A calm, quiet mood
• A relaxed feeling as the viewer’s eye moves left to right

The horizon, the ocean line, a person lying down—
we naturally associate horizontal = stability in everyday life.

💡 Want a relaxed or peaceful illustration?
Just adding more horizontal lines can do the trick.

■ ② Vertical Lines → Tension, Strength, Energy ⚡

In the second example, the background is filled with vertical lines.

Vertical lines create:

• A sense of tension
• A powerful, energetic feeling
• Stronger presence for the character
• Visual “upward force” in the composition

Skyscrapers, trees, standing poses, weapon handles—
vertical lines pull the viewer’s eye up and down, adding strength and momentum to the image.

💡 Perfect for compositions that need tension or power.

■ ③ Radial Lines → Motion, Speed, Focus 💥

The third example uses radial lines (also called speed or focus lines).

This is probably the most familiar one—commonly used in manga.
Radial lines create:

• A strong sense of movement
• Focus toward the center of the image
• Speed and impact

💡 The ultimate choice when you want a dynamic composition.

■ Just Changing Your Lines Changes the “Expression” of the Image ✨

By being conscious of line direction, you can control the overall impression of your illustration.
Even with the same subject, you’ll be able to create completely different moods.

• Calm and peaceful → Horizontal lines
• Strong and powerful → Vertical lines
• Dynamic and intense → Radial lines

Understanding these three elements helps you feel like you’re truly designing the image—and your illustrations will instantly become more impactful.

■ Summary: Lines Are the “Skeleton” of an Illustration 🦴

That’s why they’re worth thinking about first.

• Horizontal → Stability & calm
• Vertical → Strength & tension
• Radial → Motion, focus & impact

If your drawing just doesn’t feel right,
try stepping back and looking at the direction of the lines running through your image.

A small adjustment can dramatically increase the overall quality of your illustration 📈✨