A first, quick glance at your painting is important. Some questions to ask yourself may be: What is your eye immediately drawn to? Was this your intention? Does it make sense? How can you more effectively define your intended focal point? You might ask a friend for a second opinion. Sometimes someone else might see something different than you do.
The study of composition is ongoing, limited only by your imagination. Good composition is the foundation of a good painting. With a good, strong composition your painting reads well from a distance. The brushwork and details are what add interest to a painting at a close viewing distance. A well thought out composition creates unity. One feature should dominate above all others.
Focal points can be an area, not necessarily an object. It can be as simple as a brushstroke. First you must start with an idea and establish your area of interest. Then to support that area, group values to create large simple masses of unequal sizes. These are the foundation of your composition. You will use these masses to design your painting.
Creating value studies, using markers, pencils or mixed gray acrylic paints in four different neutrals, can help you in the process of making a cohesive composition. The color and brushstrokes will strengthen your design. After the value studies, try different brushstrokes on a blank canvas to get the feel of different strokes and edges. Each artist uses their brushstrokes differently making their paintings individual, like a fingerprint. As you move through your painting into the center of interest, you will slowly create more contrast and color intensity until reaching the focal point. At your center of interest you will have more contrast and color intensity than anywhere else in the painting. Sharp edges also attract attention. Soft and disappearing edges can lead a viewer to the focal point. Directional lines, like brushstrokes or shapes of objects can also lead the viewer to the center of interest. Another suggestion would be to create passive areas and active areas. One of these areas may act as your focal point.
In a well thought out composition, you are leading the viewer, creating a melody to unify all the notes. Don't forget that you are the conductor. These are ideas to consider when composing a painting, whether the painting is an abstract, still life or landscape. Now you need to paint and paint and paint again.
Becky Joy is a nationally recognized artist specializing in sunsets, landscapes and still life oil paintings. Becky shares art tips, painting demonstrations and art business tips on her blog. http://beckyjoy.com/
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