Term: Dominance

As a principle of design, dominance means that one thing stands out in relation to the rest of the painting. Dominance can be applied to one or more of the elements to give emphasis and guide the viewer. Dominance gives a painting interest, and keeps the composition from being monotonous or confusing.

Emphasis is frequently achieved by means of subject choices, contrast and isolation. For example, strongly contrasting elements create focal points, or places to which the viewer's attention is naturally drawn. Careful use of dominance allows an artist to control where the viewer looks first, and where his or her attention goes from there.