'DIRECTING THE EYE'
Robert Moore, 2015

IN THE GARDEN
oil on canvas
40 x 30 in
(101.6h x 76.2w cm)
$9,000

"Composition is directing and maintaining the gaze of the viewer. It is like putting down several visual magnets within an area, drawing the eye here, countering that shape, repelling the eye there, allowing passage, or arresting the viewer's gaze. It is controlling how your viewer's eye moves through your painting. The eye will go to where there are contrasts. There are many qualities in which there can be contrasts e.g. light vs. dark, intense vs. dull, hard vs. soft, straight vs. curved, organic vs. geometric, etc.

Every mark you put on the canvas, every space, every shape that you are creating is going to effect the viewer's gaze. If there is high contrast in an area then you want to make sure the information is both clear and interesting. It is like someone who yells in a library, if they are communicating that there is a fire you are fine with the audible contrast but if they are talking about what they are having for lunch it is not desirable."