The textbook consists of four books, which in an interesting and accessible form talk about the basics of artistic representation and provide information about the history of Russian and foreign fine arts from ancient times to the present day. The book “Fundamentals of Composition” introduces the basic principles of composition, its rules, techniques and means. Based on numerous examples from the history of painting, various compositional schemes and types of composition are considered. Students are offered practical and creative tasks of varying levels of difficulty. At the end of the textbook there are answers to difficult questions, “secrets and mysteries” of masters of fine art and recommended literature. Here are recommendations for teachers on how to use all parts of the textbook in the educational process. The textbook contains a special system of visual signs that will help the child better navigate the textbook material, and a large number of illustrations. For students of secondary schools.