6×8 oil on canvas panel I think one of the pitfalls of our daily painting exercise is the tendency to just bang out another object. Granted, that alone will provide the exercise to improve accuracy and paint handling, but it leaves untouched some of the more important aspects of painting.

And after drawing comes composition. A well-composed painting is half done. (Pierre Bonnard)

Composition begins with the imagination, and is formed by an act of personal will. Beyond making a faithful description of the object we have the opportunity to add the rhyme, rhythm, and romance that can intrigue and hold the viewer. One of the most helpful considerations for me is to decide at the outset where the focal center will be. Everything else must play a subordinate, supporting role to this. Here is where we place the greatest contrasts of value, color, detail, texture, and so on. A focal center gives orientation and meaning to the rest of the compositional decisions. Can you identify the focal center in this piece?