Artist’s Note:

Focal Point: The doors, the stained glass.

Composition: The primary composition is “O” or “Circular” composition. From Edgar Payne’s Composition of Outdoor Painting, the Circular composition is, “…a roughly indicated rounded, rectangular or irregular opening. The sides of this opening may be formed by line, mass or edge…Usually the chief attraction is the main opening or some certain spot within it” (113).

The “O” is created by sunlight on the front of the church, encircling the doors and the stained glass (focal point). The roof eaves and the shadows to the right and left of the church front create the boundaries of the “O” shape.

Notice how the walkways lead into the focal point. Notice the shape of the trees and how the eye is drawn down from the treetops into the church front. The movement of the clouds also suggests to the viewer’s eye to move down to the focal point.

Look Closely: Highlights on the metal door frame and the top right metal eave emphasize the sun’s focus on the focal point. The sunglare glowing effect on the metal was created by softly dappling the area just above and below the metal with a white-violet hue (complementary to the yellow of the church’s stone wall) with an old, splayed bristle brush.