Understanding the Power of Contrast.

The human mind/eye/attention is attracted to all forms of contrast. The higher the contrast, the higher the attention. Knowing this, artists can use one or more contrast techniques to strengthen or weaken the relationships between their shapes and thereby attract/distract viewers’ attention in select areas of their paintings. Whether we realize it or not, when we paint, we are laying down, in one form or another, contrasting relationships between our shapes. By understanding the power contrast has in directing attention, we’ll have better control over our designs.

Success breeds success. Understanding how contrast works, and incorporating many of these techniques into your well-composed art, will make your art more compelling. Knowing and using combinations of these techniques will give you more control over your art, increasing your art’s intent and, ultimately, your enjoyment to create more art – making you a better artist.

Now that you understand this, also know that areas of weak contrast influence attention as well. Low contrast areas will lessen attention. The relationship between low and high contrasts is what gives your art the voice you intended it to have. For example, if every shape is treated with high contrast against its neighboring shape, the end results would be like a poster effect – think of a Peter Max pop art painting. Likewise, if every shape has low contrast with its neighboring shape, the result would be almost a whisper – think a foggy Whistler painting. Most Plein Air paintings have an overall equal balance between high and low contrast areas. Now, I challenge you to try various levels of contrasts to experience the power this Design Principle has on your art.

Here’s a worksheet I give to my students in my workshops. It contains 12 examples of contrasting techniques. In each space, shade-in an example of the corresponding contrast technique. Incorporating one or more of these principles in your painting helps your center of interest be the hero of your painting. Below, you’ll find my example of these 12 techniques.