Emphasis Emphasis is a principle of art which occurs any time an element of a piece is given dominance by the artist. In other words, the artist makes part of the work stand out, in order to draw the viewer's eye there first.

focal point — a specific area where you want your viewer to focus the majority of their attention when looking at your drawing.

Always place your focal point off-center in your composition Always place your focal point off-center in your composition. Stay away from the bull's eye. A focal point placed in the very center of your drawing space is a big NO unless you have a specific expressive or artistic reason to do so. Any object that you place dead center commands the viewer's full attention. All the other important elements of your drawing may be ignored, and the drawing loses its impact.

Focal point In Figure 1, the main member of the Headde family appears right of center. Your eye may go to this figure intuitively at first, but you still register the other members of the family off to the left.

Make good use of secondary focal points Make good use of secondary focal points. Drawing less interesting objects close to the primary focal point helps direct the viewer's eye toward your center of interest. In Figure 1, the small cluster of family members off to the left draws your eye, but then the eyes on these figures direct you straight back to the main figure on the right.

In Figure 1, the small cluster of family members off to the left draws your eye, but then the eyes on these figures direct you straight back to the main figure on the right.

Use objects within your drawing space to point to your focal point Use objects within your drawing space to point to your focal point. The lines of the two steps on the platform in Figure 1 lead the view's eye to the focal point.

Define the focal point with more detail and a stronger contrast in values (lighter or darker) than other aspects of your drawing. The shading of the hair, eyes, and nose is more detailed in the focal point. Also, a very dark value is used to shade the pupils of his eyes and for the shadows under him. A very dark point and very white points in your pencil or ink drawings become natural focal points, (dark areas more so) A good black and white photo or picture must have a very dark area of exposure. This creates focal points.

Emphasis Emphasis is a principle of art which occurs any time an element of a piece is given dominance by the artist. In other words, the artist makes part of the work stand out, in order to draw the viewer's eye there first. Web Design for Instruction. Nov. 1 2012. .http://www.usask.ca/education/coursework/skaalid/theory/cgdt/emphasis.htm

Focal Point: Emphasis by Contrast Frequently, emphasis is achieved by means of contrast. Obvious contrasting elements create focal points, meaning: places to which one's attention cannot help but be drawn. Web Design for Instruction. Nov. 1 2012. .http://www.usask.ca/education/coursework/skaalid/theory/cgdt/emphasis.htm

Size and Placement: In realistic art the focal point is usually quite easy to spot. Larger figures, usually found in the foreground, provide a focal point. Even in non-realistic art, it is usually easy to spot the focal point. If most of the figures are horizontal, a vertical element will stand out as a focal point. Web Design for Instruction. Nov. 1 2012. .http://www.usask.ca/education/coursework/skaalid/theory/cgdt/emphasis.htm

If the rest of the elements are irregular, a geometric shape will stand out. Web Design for Instruction. Nov. 1 2012. .http://www.usask.ca/education/coursework/skaalid/theory/cgdt/emphasis.htm

If the rest of the elements are irregular, a geometric shape will stand out. Web Design for Instruction. Nov. 1 2012. .http://www.usask.ca/education/coursework/skaalid/theory/cgdt/emphasis.htm

If most of the elements are dark or similar, a splash of light color will catch the eye. Alicia J Poole. Blogspot http://aliciajpoole.blogspot.ca/2011/04/emphasis-and-focal-point.html

Contrasting colour will catch your eye as a emphasis or focal point as well. An Art World Cataclysm: 1910-1918, Nov.1 2012. http://www.luxist.com/2011/02/12/an-art-world-cataclysm-1910-1918/print/

Emphasis by Isolation If most of the elements in a work of art are grouped closely together, an object by itself stands out as a focal point. Web Design for Instruction. Nov. 1 2012. .http://www.usask.ca/education/coursework/skaalid/theory/cgdt/emphasis.htm

Emphasis by Placement An object placed in the center will often be perceived as a focal point. If all eyes in the painting look at one object, or if an object is placed at the center of the lines of perspective, that object will be perceived as the focus of the work.

This painting by John Trumbull, entitled The Surrender of Lord Cornwallis, shows how a focal point can be emphasized both by placement, line and shape.

Implied Line of sight

Geometric Lines create focal pt.

Emphasis

Blue Lights and Rockets JMW Turner Swirling atmosphere, strong lines, contrasts, and reflections, all draw attention to the bright focal point. Emphasis is used to call attention to a specific area in an image. Emphasis is sometimes also referred to as the focal point or center of interest. Emphasis implies both dominant and subordinate areas. Emphasis can be achieved by: increased size, strong colour, greater detail, sharp contrast, distorted shape, placement in the composition, movement of the image leading the eye to a focal point.