A simple change in composition can make a huge different in how dynamic a painting is. Take a look at the painting above, then the second version. You'll see that only one element has changed -- the line of the hill.
In the first version of the painting, the hill runs just below the edge of the sun, with the two elements just touching, or kissing. When I stepped back and viewed the painting from a distance, the result just wasn't pleasing. Then a little voice in my head reminded me of a friend who'd once commented on some of my work saying: "Kids always put elements touching each other, rather than overlapping; do you know you keep doing that?"
So what were my options? I could create a gap between the sun and the hill. I could paint some trees in on the hill in front of the sun, with the thought that they would link the two elements. Or I could change the line of the hill, which is what I did (see here).
