The Leading Part (And the Everything Sale!)
Ronna Sarvas Weltman‘s Talisman necklace leads us on a simple but effective journey, starting with the large white bead that sweeps our eyes across the width of the piece, then down the vertical bead set that is unlike the others strung below it, dropping us into the dense collection of side view beads and right back up to take another circuit around it.
As mentioned last week, choosing a composition has as much to do with your intention as any other choice you make. However, there is another consideration that, although it is still steered by intention, is usually about holding onto your viewer’s attention so you have time to communicate your ideas, stories, and/or aesthetics.
What I am talking about is commonly referred to as “leading the eye”. This is the path that the viewer’s eye will take around your work. A visual journey around your piece, especially if it allows the viewer to take in all the elements you’ve created, adds to a sense of cohesiveness and intention in that it helps all the elements feel purposeful as well as showing your mastery and control of your design
As mentioned, two weeks ago, you can use a hierarchy of focal points and interest to lead a viewer around the different areas of your piece. A viewer will usually take things in from what is perceived as the most important element to the least, giving you a controllable path to lead them through. You can also use lines and shapes to make more literal paths as we like to follow lines and edges of shapes to see where they go.
Knowing this, you can determine where the viewer will first look (your focal point) and then create a path they will take from there. Not only does this allow you to ensure that they take in all of your hard work but it can also help fulfill your intention.
For instance, you can lead them smoothly from one point to another on a curve, communicating calm and ease. You could, alternately, have them energetically hopping around from one section to another to build on the idea of enthusiasm, fun, joy, etc. Or you can quickly shoot them from one side to the other on a straight line which can convey determination, strength, and/or force.
I will be feeding these ideas into your eager little minds as we delve through the upcoming lessons on Principles of Design. The principles will not only help you communicate your intention but they can be manipulated to assist you in leading a viewer’s eye through your piece.
Pretty cool, right?
Also … HUGE (nearly) EVERYTHING Sale!
[For those who ran into problems ordering digital yesterday, the glitch is fixed. Technology is such a grinch!]
I’ve never jumped in on the Black Friday/Cyber Monday thing but this year, I think we all need to get our shopping done early, destress, just spend some good quality time in our studio spaces! So, I figured this sale could help with both gifts and encouraging studio time, depending on who you buy for!
All Packages on Sale 30%-50% OFF
- The Polymer Arts magazine – 23 issues: $119 ($230 value)
- The Polymer Studio magazine – 3 issues: $15.95 ($24 value)
- All Christi Friesen publications- 8 books: $84.95 ($122 value)
- Christi Friesen Project booklets – 5 pack: $39 ($58 value)
- Polymer Journeys 2016+2019: $32 ($47 value)
- The Polymer Arts – ALL 29 issues: $99 ($173 value)
- The Polymer Studio – 3 issues: $12.50 ($18 value)
- Polymer Journeys 2016+2019: $20.95 ($32 value)
PLUS 20% OFF
ALL non-sale Publications and Design tools in your Cart*
Single issue magazines, any books (print or digital), CMY Color Wheel, Grayscale, Composition Grid tool … all at a discount!
Use promo code 202020
*20% off not good on sale packages or club memberships. Discounts ends December 5th, 2020.
