Design 1

I believe that a great painting isn’t framed by what is wrapped around the outside, it's framed by a great design on the inside!

To get the most out of your subject matter, it is very important to create a good design. If you have something to say, focus on what you are saying (the focal point). The area around the focal point will be the accompaniment.

If a pianist is the central figure in a concert, the piano music is the focal point. All of the other instruments play beautiful music, supporting the pianist, not competing for attention!

I am a big believer in making thumbnail sketches before starting a painting. They are quick, easy, and cause the artist to think through what they're about to do. They are the equivalent to an outline in writing a story. I usually make several thumbnail sketches to see which one I like the best.

Value Applications

General Art Theory

On the left is a grey scale of ten values. On the right is an Ingres

painting with the color removed. Without the color, you can see the values that the artist used.

The following statements are a guide used by the Old Masters:

Mid-Tones should occupy 70% of your painting. Light-Tones should occupy 20% of your painting. Dark-Tones should occupy 10% of your painting. The painting on the right is a good example of this.