Emphasis and Focal Point How can an artist

Emphasis and Focal Point

How can an artist attract a viewer’s attention?

One device an artist can employ is emphasis or focal point.

One device an artist can employ is emphasis or focal point. Paul Klee, The Goldfish An element that is emphasized can attract attention and lure the viewer.

Emphasis plays up. It is used to draw our attention to an area or focal point. Position, contrast, size and color intensity are strategies used to create emphasis.

Emphasis plays up. It is used to draw our attention to an area or focal point. Position, contrast, size and color intensity are strategies used to create emphasis. The counterpart to emphasis is subordination. Subordination plays down. It is areas of neutral or less interest that help to keep the attention on the area of emphasis.

The gold fish is the focal point. Paul Klee, The Goldfish

It is the brightest and it is directly in the center. The gold fish is the focal point. Paul Klee, The Goldfish

It is the brightest and it is directly in the center. The gold fish is the focal point. Paul Klee, The Goldfish Which is bordered in black.

It is the brightest and it is directly in the center. The gold fish is the focal point. Which is encircled in blue. Paul Klee, The Goldfish Which is bordered in black.

It is the brightest and it is directly in the center. The gold fish is the focal point. Which is bordered in black. Which is encircled in blue. Paul Klee, The Goldfish Even the fish tails are pointing toward the center.

It is the brightest and it is directly in the center. The gold fish is the focal point. Which is bordered in black. Which is encircled in blue. Paul Klee, The Goldfish This is the concept of focal point. Even the fish tails are pointing toward the center.

What are the different ways to achieve emphasis?

One method is emphasis by contrast.

One method is emphasis by contrast. Emphasis by Contrast- focal point becomes clear when one element is different from the others, providing contrast.

Contrast Andy Goldsworthy, Sycamore Leaf, 1980 -81

Contrast James Ensor, Old Lady with Masks, 1889

Contrast Walker Evans, Kitchen Corner in Floyd Burrough’s Home, 1936

Another way to achieve contrast is by isolation.

Another way to achieve contrast is by isolation. Emphasis by Isolation- this is a variation of emphasis by contrast, because by isolating an element you are simultaneously providing contrast.

Isolation Thomas Eakins, The Agnew Clinic (detail)

Isolation Rene Magritte

Sometimes the placement of an element will create emphasis.

Sometimes the placement of an element will create emphasis. Emphasis by Placement- this can be achieved by directional forces, which are paths for the eye to follow provided by implied or actual lines and determine the underlying energy and basic structure of a work, as well as placing the element directly in the center.

Placement Rembrant van Rijn, The Nightwatch, 1642

Placement Rembrant van Rijn, The Nightwatch, 1642

Placement Rembrant van Rijn, The Nightwatch, 1642

Placement Carrie Mae Weems, Untitled Outake from the Kitchen Table, 1990

Placement Carrie Mae Weems, Untitled Outake from the Kitchen Table, 1990

But does a design really need a focal point?

But does a design really need a focal point? NO

Sometimes there’s an absence. . . When artists choose to emphasize the entire surface of a composition rather than individual elements, there is absence of a definitive focal point.

Absence Jasper Johns, Grey Alphabet, 1956

Absence Lee Krasner

Absence Andy Warhol, 100 Soup Cans