Focusing on a Single Subject

The subjects of your paintings don’t always have to be grand landscapes or carefully assembled still lifes. By zooming in on one object, you can often create an appealing composition that gives the viewer a sense of intimacy with the subject. And flowers are an ideal subject for a simple, close-up composition; their bright colors and delicate curves can fill your canvas with richness and interesting shapes. You can also heighten the drama by focusing on the foreground blossoms, contrasting their vibrant hues and crisp edges with a neutral, less detailed background, as I do in this painting of a simple iris bloom.

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