FREDRIX PRODUCTS UPDATE

Thinking Three By Don Foster

Whenever you have an opportunity, use this exercise to train your eyes and mind to evaluate an object (anything, anywhere) in much the same step-by-step way you'd have to make decisions about its portrayal on canvas.

• Is it above, below, or at your eye level?
  
• Is it close by, mid-distance, or far away?
  
• When you look at it, is it dead center, to the right, or to the left of your line of vision?
  
• Is it predominantly horizontal, vertical, or diagonal?
  
• Are there obvious surfaces that recede (turn away) from your line of vision?
  
• Is the object large, of medium size, or small?
  
• Is it squared, rounded, or triangular?
  
• Is it light, dark, or a middle value?
  
• Does it fade into nearby objects or does it seem totally disconnected?
  
• Does it have sharply defined edges, soft edges, or both?
  
• Does there appear to be space between it and other objects seen?
  
• Is it showing predominantly warm or cool color?
  
• Is its color brilliant, subdued, or dull?
  
• Does the dominant surface appear to be smooth, textured, or rough?
  
• What will be the main interest in your composition, of secondary importance, or merely serve a supportive role?
  
• What are you going to show, what are you going to whisper about, and what are you going to shout about?
  
• What are you going to use to stir curiosity and the imagination, hold interest, or lead attention back to your focal point area?
  
• What do you want viewers to see, first and foremost? What do you want them to think?
  
• What do you want them to remember?