Focus

Steven Sweeney · 05-06-2006, 10:03 PM

Thanks, folks, glad there's something here that's interesting.

Michele, yes, exactly -- you know, I had a few moments back in those years when I thought, boy, I hope "they" don't ever find out that this isn't as hard as it looks.

But so many of us continue to insist on making it harder than it is. I think we keep being sucked in by the pyrotechnics, which burn out in seconds.

Concept. Composition, Value design. Thumb-nail sketch. Focal areas. Commitment to the idea. Finally, color to bring it all into play.

We make it so hard. Fundamentals make it so much easier and enjoyable. With that "outline," you already know what you want to say. You can spend your energy on how to say it.

Michele Rushworth · 05-07-2006, 02:21 AM

But it's still hard (at least for me)!

Steven Sweeney · 05-09-2006, 09:01 AM

One quick addendum (came to me on the commute to work this morning). Jay mentioned this, and I forgot to.

It's not the case that only your focal area has the most interesting color, contrast, edges and detail, with all of that muted everywhere else. It should have some of that, different from the treatment elsewhere in the picture.

So it may well be that you'll have an entire piece that is brilliant in hue, or perhaps flat in value. In the latter case, say, you simply may not be able to "punch up" the focal area with a lot of value contrast (unless you invent it). That's fine -- just punch it up with more color than the other parts of the painting, or perhaps more detail.

In some way, distinguish the focal area from the rest of the picture, to catch the viewer's eye and say, "Here -- this is what I most wanted to show you."

John Reidy · 05-09-2006, 05:20 PM

Steven,

Thanks for the postings. I'd like to ask you to please keep your eye out for my next post. It is a piece I just finished today and my goal was to create depth and a focal point. I would appreciate your views.

I will allow about a week for it to dry and then I'll photograph it for my portfolio and a post.

Steven Sweeney · 05-09-2006, 05:42 PM

Glad to, John. An advisement, though, that I'm hitting the road for an extended period, through early June, so don't read anything into a nonresponse, or at least a very tardy one.

Steven Sweeney · 05-09-2006, 05:51 PM

By the way, since it's now available for viewing, Marvin's PSA prizewinner is a strong case-in-point for focus, and it calls into play the note in the "addendum" above. The piece is detailed and rich throughout, and so his focus is largely a matter of value. Squint at the image and all question about what the painting is "about" dissipates. The remainder of the painting supports that focal area.

Ngaire Winwood · 05-11-2006, 04:16 AM

Steven your article is very well written, once again. Thanks for the compositional clarity.

I always love reading your articles as you have a knack of portraying your ideals and knowledge that you want to focus on in a way that is very student friendly and not filled with ambiguous words.

You should be making your millions as a arts writer/teacher.

Hope your journeys are sure and safe.