your painting's history, so don't allow it to cloud your
judgment. Through X-rays we now know that some of the
greatest paintings in history were reworked many times
by the artist.
Do the size and shape of your support suit your compo-
sition? If not, consider cropping. If this is not possible,
try the painting again on a new support, or turn it into a
diptychl
Don't rnake hasty judgments about the success or failure
of a painting. When you can't think of anything else to
do, put the piece away for a week or even longer. Seeing
it again with a fresh eye will help you to judge it more
objectively. I arn surprised how often I appreciate one of
my "unfinished" paintings months after I stopped work
on it.
Here are some quick tips for painting composition:
KEEP IT LIVELY
Vary the size and shape of your collage pieces.
Make bright colors "pop" by surrounding them
with neutrals.
Provide plenty of contrasting lights and darks.
Include diagonals.HOOK YOUR VIEWER
Obscure some areas, "veil" others, and emphasize
the most important.
Provide "pathways for the eye": Use curved or
straight lines to lead from one place to another;
repeat a color in different places so that the eye is
encouraged to skip from one area to the next.34 I CREATIVE PAI N T WORKSHOP
Combine photos with hand-drawn marks, even
creating your own graffiti.
Repetition is effective, but don't let it become
mindless. Break the rhythm every now and then.
Repeat an image, but alter it subtly in color, size,
or orientation.PLAYING IT SAFE
Don't place large distracting shapes at the edges.
Keep a balance between lights and darks (values).
Avoid too much detail that might compete with
your main image.
Keep color harmonious-cool or warm.
Take care that heavy textures don't create
distracting elements.
Keep "heavier" objects near the bottom of
the paper.7
~de" a pai: ing somewhere in your house
where you will come across it unexpectedly.
In the split second that you see it again, you
will be able to judge it more objectively.- ,
RIGHT: Prisoner of Time.
Ann Baldwin, 8 " x 5"
(20.3 x 12.7 emJ. acrylic.
collage, oil pastel on paper.This piece looks nothing like
my original plan. At the last
minute I added the images
of the book covers to hide
the muddle underneath. It
actually strengthens the
composition by balancing the
right side with the left.