Composition Chalk Talk
Before I start a painting, I develop a good working sketch of the values of the painting.
If I’m outdoor painting, I use a pencil and paper to mark light, dark and middle values. I use this value sketch to help hold the composition together.
When I’m using a digital photo I compose using Adobe Photoshop. My goal is to simplify shapes, saturate colors, and emphasize the center of interest. I’ll use this work up for the first half of the painting to develop the main shapes and values and then work somewhat intuitively after that
The center of interest or focal point should have:
The most detail,
The most contrast,
The most saturated colors and
Other elements of the painting should support the center of interest.