Memorable artwork attracts attention. A goal of artists should be to create memorable artwork.
It does seem that artists are having to work harder to capture the audience attention and create a lasting impression in today’s world. With media seeming to ratchet up the visual noise and competition for our interest, where does it stop?
Compositional use of value, contrasts, colors, and shapes can be used to create eye-candy to grab attention. However, once you have the viewer’s notice, you must make sure you work to keep it from wandering to the next artist. Composition helps here as well. Up close, the eye follows paths through the artwork. You don’t want to provide easy paths that direct attention away from your creation.
However, even if the artwork is a masterful work of composition, is it interesting? Is it new, fresh and exciting work? I was at a recent event and one person commented on an artist’s work “that’s the same painting they’ve painted the past 10 years.” Meaning, the artist has been using the same compositional elements, subject and general approach to the painting and not evolved over the years. From the collector’s perspective, they have become stuck. An artist needs to be able to offer collectors choices in composition, subjects, values and colors for their selection.
An excellent book on composition for beginning to experienced artists and on of my most used artist reference books is Mastering Composition by Ian Roberts. A 40-minute DVD is included with the book that illustrates the concepts. It is available at Amazon.com and most major book stores.
I’m not suggesting you throw out a successful approach and technique that you love. However, I would encourage you to continue to open yourself up to an evolution of expression through your artwork. If you’re beginning to find your artwork boring, so will your audience and collectors. Do you have to drag yourself to your easel instead of drag yourself away? Then explore what part of the artistic and creative process brings you the most pleasure and satisfaction. Focus on bringing more of these expressive elements to your art and explode you passion into your art.
Richard F. Farrell
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