From the Artist: This was a real challenge. I almost ruined the paper trying to get the angles right.
From the Painting Guide: You might have found it a challenge, but you certainly rose to the occasion! You've created a composition that's visually very strong and intriguing, leading a viewer's eye around the painting.
Things to Consider When Looking at This Painting:
Composition: How many triangles do you see in this composition, leading your eye around? I see six main ones (see photo), plus various smaller ones. The triangle of roof jutting in on the left pushes my eye down towards the red foliage. This in turn pushes it back up towards the top of the church's steeple, something reinforced by colors of the foliage and top being the brightest.
The basic shapes -- circle, rectangle/square, cylinder -- are the fundamental elements. So if ever something in a painting's composition just isn't working but you can't figure out what, reduce it to the basic shapes (or put a piece of tracing paper over it and outline them) and then consider how these fit together and lead your eye around. Working with one dominant shape, as in this painting, is a strong foundation for an effective composition.
Direction of Brushmarks: Look at the direction of the brushmarks in the sky. They're going across in parallel with the top edge of the painting, rather than behind the church's steeple (for which they'd need to be at an angle too). I like this, as it adds to the unexpected angles, and I think makes for a far strong composition. We're accustomed to skies and buildings being painted horizontal, but in this one we're pushed out of that comfort zone.
Dubious? Then take a look at this manipulated photo where I've 'turned' the sky. The result is, to me, far more like a photo, far less painterly.
From the Painting Guide: You might have found it a challenge, but you certainly rose to the occasion! You've created a composition that's visually very strong and intriguing, leading a viewer's eye around the painting.
Things to Consider When Looking at This Painting:
Composition: How many triangles do you see in this composition, leading your eye around? I see six main ones (see photo), plus various smaller ones. The triangle of roof jutting in on the left pushes my eye down towards the red foliage. This in turn pushes it back up towards the top of the church's steeple, something reinforced by colors of the foliage and top being the brightest.
The basic shapes -- circle, rectangle/square, cylinder -- are the fundamental elements. So if ever something in a painting's composition just isn't working but you can't figure out what, reduce it to the basic shapes (or put a piece of tracing paper over it and outline them) and then consider how these fit together and lead your eye around. Working with one dominant shape, as in this painting, is a strong foundation for an effective composition.
Direction of Brushmarks: Look at the direction of the brushmarks in the sky. They're going across in parallel with the top edge of the painting, rather than behind the church's steeple (for which they'd need to be at an angle too). I like this, as it adds to the unexpected angles, and I think makes for a far strong composition. We're accustomed to skies and buildings being painted horizontal, but in this one we're pushed out of that comfort zone.
Dubious? Then take a look at this manipulated photo where I've 'turned' the sky. The result is, to me, far more like a photo, far less painterly.
