Artist Tips
For practical tips and techniques to improve your artwork click on the following tips:
- How can I introduce textures into my watercolors?
- How do you paint hair?
- Painting a Self Portrait?
- Planning your Art for Visual Impact
- The Power of Color
- Ice Crystal Painting
Visual Impact
Planning your Art for Visual Impact
Have you every painted a piece that was technically well done but lacked impact? One of the reasons for this end result could be you have ignored one of the most important fundamental rules of design. The principle of dominance. Artwork that does not express dominance of shape, movement, color, space division and technique lacks a clear "voice". It fails to make an impression.
In the non-objective painting example shown, notice that the space division clearly has one shape larger than the others. The cool colors (blues) clearly are given more expression than the warm (yellows and reds). The work has a strong diagonal movement. Curvilinear shapes are seen throughout. The difference in texture is obvious and the "sandy" portion occupies less space.
Before starting your next piece ask yourself "what elements are going to dominate my work?"
Happy painting - Lee Baughman