Wake up as an artist; be an artist each day. Do
what is before you to do. Be still, open, and willing. -Aliye Cullu
It is now
time to start sketching your composition. Experiment, if you wish, with what
object(s) should be the point(s) of focus. Lightly sketch your rule of thirds
lines on you sketchpad. Visualize the lines of your painting and your points of
focus and their relation to the rule of thirds. Remember, the rule of thirds is
not meant to be a restrictive rule, but an aid. Use it, but don't
necessarily be ruled by it. Ask yourself, are your eyes drawn into the picture
and to the intended point of focus? If not, how may I accomplish this? Should I
vary the lighting, use color or should there be natural lines or pathways for
the eye to follow? Perhaps I should use all of these methods. Are the eyes
drawn from the left edge of the painting to the point of focus? Again, this is
a guideline. Use it if it helps. Do the eyes travel out of the picture on the
right (this could be distracting) or are they drawn back in? You may now want
to make some notes about the colors you will be using and how you are going to
use them. Pay particular attention to the light source. Is it from the right,
left, front, back or above? Perhaps it is diffuse, such as on an overcast or
foggy day. With light and color you can exercise control over the mood of the
painting.