Highlights on Fine Art Paintings

Highlights are in the middle of the light plane. Highlights are the shape of the light source. If the light source is a light bulb then the highlight will mirror the shape of the bulb. Try to place the highlight perpendicular to the other brushstrokes. This brushstroke contrasts with the direction of other strokes. Highlights also mark a change of plane, i.e. at top when the cheekbones move down toward the jaw.

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Fine Art Paintings-Art Principles of Dominance and Variety

Paintings should have dominant elements. The element, colour, should have a dominant value in a painting, i.e. light value. Diagonal lines could be dominant in a painting. A painting also needs variety. A painting should also include lesser amounts of mid and dark values. Other lines would also be in the painting, i.e. curving lines. I have only referred to 2 art elements and principles, there are more.

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Movement of the Eye Through the Painting

An artist moves viewers’ eyes through the painting; to the focal point and then viewers’ eyes continue through the painting. Paintings have an overall structure based on light and dark shapes (value shapes). There are different structures an artist might use, i.e. triangular, L shape. Diagonal lines and shapes can lead viewers into the painting. Cross contour lines or shapes which are interrupted by another shape and then continue, lead viewers. Similar art elements such as colour, lines, can lead viewers through a painting. After the viewer reaches the focal point, they continue to move and examine the painting. It is important to ensure the viewers’ eyes do not move out of the picture. There are a number of methods to achieve this goal.

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