The topic of this practical exercise is the origin of legends and myths, their role in primitive human thinking and worldview, and their importance in creating a compositional solution in the visual arts. The text analyzes the myths of the ancient world, primitive religious ideas - such forms of belief as totemism, animism, magic and fetishism. Also, the formation of hunting rituals, cave paintings and mythological views in the life of primitive society is explained in connection with the first manifestations of art. The topic serves to develop artistic thinking in students based on mythological images and to form the skills of creating compositional images based on mythological plots.