Once you have created a concept and a design strategy for your painting, you need to focus the elements in the painting towards that concept. For example, you can emphasize key elements in your composition to bring out your concept and better communicate what you want to say about your subject. The most effective way to do this without exaggeration is to use contrast. For example, use light against dark, warm against cool, saturated against less saturated, rectangular versus diagonal, and straight versus curved.

In this course unit

In this course unit you will learn various techniques for emphasizing and exaggerating your concept. You will learn:

• 10 techniques for using contrast to visually emphasize your concept, including the use of contrast of saturation, light and dark, warm and cool, line, brushwork, texture, and size
• when to use exaggeration to enhance your painting, and why it is sometimes necessary to not paint what you see
• how to add energy to your paintings
• how to use value changes, edges, and foregrounds to create a misty mood
• how to dramatize skies and ocean scenes
• how to handle moonlight effects

Total number of assignments: 5

Total number of pages: 24