Putting Eye Candy into your Painting - Painting & Drawing Tips

I know 'candy' in any form is suppose to be bad for your health.  And as such I shouldn't be encouraging it. BUT Eye Candy is Calorie FREE!!

That's right.  No Calories.  Available any time of day. And Free. 

A DISTINGUISHED CANADIAN - Graphite, 13 x 19 Matted, Unframed $500

Eye Candy in Art - The What?

Eye Candy is by definition something pleasing to see but intellectually undemanding.  However, in Art you can make it so much more.  Eye Candy can be something that captures the eye, moves it around and entertains it for sometime.  And Yes, it can be interesting but also it can be intellectually demanding as well.  

Why is it important?

Eye Candy can control the viewer.  It demands their attention.  It tells them where to look. It entertains them.  It stimulates their mind.  But more importantly it keeps them looking at your painting.  And the longer they look, the more interested they are in buying it. (Definitely a great byproduct for us) 

Eye Candy in Art - The How?

Eye Candy is something pleasing to see.  The eye loves to look at curvy lines and following them.  The eye loves to see things that are different; That sudden break in the pattern.  The eye also likes to rest;  But only for a moment. 

As Artists we can put Eye Candy into our Art and CAPTURE the Eye. . . .

I know, you are saying but yes, I know all about focal points, colour, unfinished edges.  Yes, they do capture the eye and provide interest. But there is way more.  

As I worked on my pencil drawing of this Canadian Goose, I realized how many more ways there are to grab the eye and entertain it, WITHOUT Colour. 

Get the Eye to Dance. . . .

Animals and people, if there is a face our eye immediate goes to it.  That is the starting point.  Of course if you have no eyes in your piece,  the starting point will be your focal point - the strongest dark light contrast point.  But now What? 

With Wildlife and People the eye will go to the Face First

That is my favourite part. Sure the eye rushes into the picture to that focal point but getting it to dance around your picture is the real challenge.  Where should it go from there?  

Every painting has lines in it.  They can be the straight lines like a telephone pole but often they are more subtle.  In my Goose it can be the edge of the wing, the feathers, the markings on his chest, the movement in the water. Even the row of light on the forward wing tips.  

So where does the eye DANCE when looking at my Canadian Goose?

Look away/close your eyes then look at my Goose.  Where does your eye travel?

Your eye is grabbed by the head.  It is a strong contrast of light and dark and it has the face.  The curve around the head is interesting and eye has two choices follow the neck down the body or jump to the wings.  The Dark/Light contrast of the wing line pulls the eye over. (I thing our nature tendency to go across rather than down also comes into play here.)

Whether the eye follows the back wing (lighter one) or front wing (darker one) it moves along. There are lots of interesting shapes to interest the eye.  As well a bit of mystery. "What do the shapes form? What makes the back wing? What makes the front? I didn't realize it was so intricate."  These are some of the thoughts it inspires.  

  

 No, the wing edge does not take the eye across and out of the picture.  Notice the wings get lighter as you move to the tip.  This slows the eye movement and causes it to look around.  Suddenly there are 2 choices again.  The strong line of the wing takes the eye down or the dark mass in the water grabs the eye's attention.  (Note the dark mass is darker on the bird side and lighter on the picture edge side,  this is a stopper to prevent the eye from leaving the picture. The signature also acts as a stopper, sending the eye towards the bird. )

The Wing line and the water mass demand the eye choice a path and move on. 

As the eye travels down the wing it reaches the tail feathers, the sharp contrast of light and dark pull the eye and speed up the movement.  

Once at the tail there are lots of little interesting things to look at.  Little mysteries for the eye:  What is that dark mass? Oh, is that the shadow in the water? Look at the legs, they are thick and powerful.  

But once again the eye is pulled away.  The sharp contrast and dark edge of the belly demands attention.  Again, there are 2 choices for movement.  Each taking the eye back to the face.  

Leaving the unsolved mysteries around his feet the eye is pulled back to the face.  

The eye has made a complete circle. But there is a sense of incompleteness.  The little mysteries along the way require a second look.  The eye begins to dance some more as it moves around to solve the mysteries.  The Dance continues.  

Look for the movement in your painting.  Is there a few mysteries along the path?  Choices? Resting spots?  

In choosing your view/pose do you consider the movement?  Often you do but it is in an intuitive way.  Eye movement or views pleasing to the eye is just one more tool you use in designing your painting.  

OUTDOOR SKETCHING SEASON  is HERE!!

 Wednesday, May 12: 10am - 12:30pm 2 Spots Left

Twice a week, Wednesday and Saturday mornings, I will take small groups out for Outdoor Sketching.  Get Tips and Techniques for Sketching in Nature.  Beginners to Advanced Welcome. Max. 3 per class. (Other times available upon request) 

Mediums supported: pencil, pen, watercolour, watercolour pencils and coloured pencils 

Location: Parks in North Surrey and Langley

Cost: $50 per session

Supplies: Bring your own supplies, don't hesitate to contact me about your supplies

Rainy Days: Not fun to plein air in the rain.  You can defer to another available day or join me in my studio and work with me. (when Covid rules allow small inside gatherings) 

Contact Wendy to Book Your Spot!! 

Looking to Move your work to NEW LEVELS?  

  Online Coaching/Teaching  (3 sessions 30 minutes each $75)

Are You and Your Inner Critic looking to expand your discussions.  Here's how it works: Send me a few pictures of your paintings.  I will prepare material to facilitate a discussion based on your goals.  I am a sounding board, coach and teacher,  with suggestions, techniques and tips to help you meet your goals and move your art forward.  More info here.   Looking forward to Zooming with you.  

  
Many find this post helpful: Turn your Inner Critic into your BFF

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Have a great Artful Day,

Wendy