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