Today I Learned: Composition rules!

"Tree Line #13 - Pines", $100, 10"x8", acrylic on canvas panel, c)2010 valerie@berkelydesign.com

First, an underpainting in cobalt blue, because I like building warmer greens on top of cool blue.  The composition initially had the trees evenly lined up like soldiers.  Boring.  And egads, there was a tree smack dab in the center of the picture plane.  Thank goodness for acrylics, because it is easy to correct mistakes.

So composition lessons: vary the heights and placement of the trees.  Keep the idea of 1/3 vs 2/3 composition rule.  Don't have a big subject in the center.  Vary the horizon line; it can slant, it does not have to be dead-on straight.  Make sure far away trees on the horizon are paler and greyer.  Lavender is very good at greying down greens.

I'm crazy busy finishing final paintings for my upcoming exhibit "Where We Live" which opens on September 24 and runs through November 7 at the Center for the Visual Arts in downtown Wausau.  Stay tuned...