rarely the same size and evenly spaced. Other techniques There should be a center of interest or focus in the work, to prevent it becoming a pattern in itself The direction followed by the viewer's eye should lead the viewer's gaze around all elements in the work before leading out of the picture The subject should not be facing out of the image Exact bisections of the picture space should be avoided Small, high contrast, elements have as much impact as larger, duller elements The prominent subject should be off-centre, unless a symmetrical or formal composition is desired, and can be balanced by smaller satellite elements The horizon line should not divide the art work in two equal parts but be positioned to emphasize either the sky or ground; showing more sky if painting is of clouds, sun rise/set, and more ground if a landscape Use of detailed areas and 'rest' areas can help to aid the eye in where to look. Creating a contrast between detail and lack of detail is important These principles can be means of a good composition yet they cannot be applied separately but should act together to form a good composition. Also in an artwork, it is suggested that no spaces between the objects should be the same to create a more interesting image. Example These paintings all show the same subject, the Raising of Lazarus, and essentially the same figures, but have very different compositions: See also Miksang (contemplative photography) New Epoch Notation Painting (a notation system for painting) Page layout (graphic design) CLACL (a computer language for composition) List of photographic composition techniques References Further reading External links Percy Principles of Art and Composition, Goshen College Art Department Using Detail and why it is important Artistic techniques Photographic techniques