1. Decide on a focal point:
2. Place your focal point off center:
• The rule of thirds:
• The golden section / ratio:
3. Create depth:
• Color and value-
• Overlapping-
• Size and definition-
• Perspective
• No kissing-
4. Use repetition:
• Shape-
• Color
5. Use variety
• Variety with unity-
6. Use an odd number of elements:
7. Vary your edges:
• Lost edge-
• Soft edge-
• Hard edges
8. Create movement:
• Geometry-
• Line and shape-
9. Make effective use of negative space.
10. Make thumbnails:
• Begin with a rough thumbnail-
• Establish placement and values-
•When necessary develop a color scheme before you paint/draw the final
piece-
11. Notes on cropping