TWO DISTINCT TYPES OF FEATURES CAN BE FOUND IN LANDSCAPE BASED PAINTINGS

LINEAR FEATURES

Linear features guide the eye into around and out of the painting. They also lead the eye to the center of interest. Any continuous unbroken line or shape can be considered a linear feature

Roads, tracks etc..
Fences
Creeks, rivers
Groups of buildings, trees, animals etc.
Horizon lines
Edges of hills, clouds, shadows etc.

SPOT FEATURES

Spot features act as punctuation marks throughout the painting. They create the center of interest and are used to provide a balance for it. Spot features can be used to stop the eye running out of the painting.

Buildings
Trees, bushes
People
Animals
Rocks

In this example the road, mountain edge and fence line in the foreground are linear features and control the movement of the eye around the painting. The building, trees and random abstract shapes make up the spot features. They establish the center of interest and provide a balance for it ( consider the importance of the two white marks to the right of the building ).

© JOHN LOVETT 1997

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