Pick a goodsubject. - Something that is visually interesting. Make sure there's a good light source to give the subject highlights and shadows. Colour, texture, angles, will all increase interest. Take your own reference photos or combine copyright-free photos to create something original. Also note that the eye is drawn to an uneven number of elements - The Rule of Odds. If you want something to stand out, put it between 2 other objects.
The Rule of Thirds - the human eye is interested in images that are divided into thirds, with the subject falling along one of the dividing eyes. Your camera may have this grid or you can use your imagination.
Image size. - Scale can change the feeling and the way the view interacts with your work. Keep it life-size or go large. You can also Crop your work - as an artist you can choose what to include, what's important and what can be left out. You can extend your image to be wider or taller than the paper or canvas or enlarge it and have it spilling off the edges.
Placement. - Centering an image - horizontally or vertically - make give it stability but also seem boring. Use a viewfinder and crop your work or extend it off the page. Avoid objects that sit along the border of your work - they can look awkward and guide the eye outside of your canvas. You can also use: If you do use a horizontal line for Symmetry - something that is the same on one side as the other - this might be appropriate for reflections or when you do what balance. Depth of Field - the blur effect of a background vs the detail or focus of the main subject. Framing - use natural or man-made structures to create a frame, eg. doors or a tree. Viewpoint - are you looking at something from up high, below or level?
Leading Lines: Use lines to guide the viewer's eye. Let lines or borders of objects flow around the work. Avoid having them lead the viewer off the canvas. Also, avoid any lines that cut your canvas in half, such as a horizon line, or a tree that divides the page into half, as these can be distracting. These can be man-made or natural.
Consider negative space. The space surrounding an object conveys a mood or provides an interesting backdrop. It also gives the eye needs places to rest, to keep your work feeling balanced, especially if there is a lot going on in your work. The reverse is having too much blank space and having the work seem boring or unfinished. if the background or negative space is too busy your eye can be distracted and take away from the focus of your work. Stand back and take a look at the overall positive and negative balance.
Contrast and Focal Point A range of values will add interest and a sense of dimension. Make your subject the focal point by using contrast, colour, focus or leading lines such as arrows or lines to draw attention. Just be careful not to add too much contrast to the corner or edge of a painting or drawing, especially if it draws the eye away from what is meant to be the main focus.
Use colour for depth and contrast. Remember that objects in the distance tend to look more washed out and cool colours give the effect of receding in the distance. Warm colours attract attention and look closer in space. Also remember that colours are affected by each other, so choose carefully when placing colours side-by-side.
Patterns - can repeat in man-made objects or in nature.
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