Focal Points

What is the most important thing in your painting? The sailboat, the person, the farmhouse. When you are composing your painting it is important to establish a focal point before you start. The focal point is where your eye goes first. It is where there is the most contrast of light and dark, hard edges, strong color and whites.

The best place to position your focal points or areas? Draw a rectangle, divide it evenly into 9 sections horizontally and vertically. The intersections are where you position your focal point.