Every painting needs a center of interest, or focal point. Consider what you want the painting to communicate to the viewer: the subject or concept that will engage the viewer's mind. Subjects in landscape paintings that tend to engage viewers include:
Next, consider how you can attract the viewer's attention toward the subject you want to emphasize. These characteristics will help you create a center of interest to draw the viewer's eye:
- Stark contrast, especially very dark against very light
- Bright, saturated color
- Hard edges
- Straight lines or regular forms
- Repeating patterns
Be sure that your focal point supports the main idea you want to convey so your composition remains in harmonious balance. For example, buildings in a landscape can attract the viewer's eye if they are the focal point. This is a good place to use stronger color and contrast. However, if the building are there only to support the idea, for instance to show scale, they need to be less commanding in contrast and in color.
Avoid creating a busy pattern or sharp value contrast in a part of your painting that is not the center of attention. All elements should work together in harmony to focus the viewer's eye and mind.
From "Oil Painter's Solution Book Landscapes" by Elizabeth Tolley
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