BACK TO BASICS

Today I am just going to say a few words about the UNDERLYING basic design principles that every artist can use.  Last week I talked about the fact that all too often, the subject rules.    Well, there are lots of "design tools" that you can use as an artist, to strengthen the visual power of your images beyond just the interest or power of the subject-matter, and I offer a few REALLY BASIC ONES here.

It might be helpful  to think about the fact that many design ideas are rooted in the way that we humans react to our environment.

1. For example, we feel safe when lying down....so flat surfaces and horizontal lines feel steady, secure and safe.
2. Vertical lines represent right-angles to the ground beneath our feet...strong elements like trees are vertical;  telegraph poles are vertical, we stand vertically.  Vertical lines are uplifting and steady too.
3. Diagonal lines take our eyes off in different directions, and add variety and interest.
4. Sharp points and angles can feel uncomfortable - they can trigger anxiety in a subconscious way, as the human brain might relate these elements to sharp points such as knives, or broken shards of glass...things which can physically cause damage.
5. Rolling, gentle curves are calming, reminiscent of gently moving water, the softness of a cushion perhaps,  or certainly the female human form and the comfort of a mother.

I know this is all very basic stuff.......but when we get caught up in the fascination of the SUBJECT, without taking these elements into account,  we are losing an opportunity to create a stronger, more emotionally powerful image.

So, the next time you create a painting, having been firmly seduced by your subject matter.......the red barn, the child playing at the water's edge, the misty mountains.......whatever........take another look at it using your "design" eyes.   What feeling do you want to convey?  If you want to convey tranquility, for example, you would do well to ensure that your image is not made up of sharp point and angles and loads of diagonals all over the place.  If you want to convey excitement, then make sure that you DO have marks which add to the feeling of tension.
Take a look at these images, and see what kind of feeling you get from them, and see if they conform to any of these very basic principles:

The poppy picture is full of diagonal lines, and strong contrasts, both in tone and colour.  As such, it has some of the drama and tension I wanted to achieve.

The Venice image is dominated by vertical and horizontal elements.Its colours and tones are soft with few strong contrasts.  It has a feeling of calm and tranquillity by comparison with the flower image.

Finally - off topic -  I have some concerns that whatever I write may well be hijacked and rewritten somehow.  This is exactly what is happening to my posts on WetCanvas........words I write disappear, and other words I have never written appear in their place.  I am not sure how this happens but this cannot be a random incidence of jumbled posts.  And what I do know is that there are some very mean-minded people out there with the ability to do these things, and it is rather disturbing.

Someone clearly feels that I "lecture" to my readers and cause offence.  My answer to that is that it is pretty hard to be a teacher without being a lecturer.  They kinda go hand in hand.  But the bottom line is that nobody is forced to read what I write, everyone has free will to go elsewhere on the internet, or to burn my books!

I hope that what I write is of use to some.