English for Art and Design: Focal Point / Emphasis (1996 / 2012)
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2D: Focal point / emphasis in Thomas Eakins’s The Concert Singer.

Thomas Eakins. The Concert Singer, (1890-92). Oil on canvas, 75 1/8 x 54 1/4 inches (190.8 x 137.8 cm). Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Most important part: __________________________
Which method helps create the focal point in this work? Put an X next to your answer. Explain with some details.
Methods to create emphasis / the focal point |
|||
Direction of lines | |||
Gestures by depicted objects / persons | |||
Position in composition (Where is it?) | |||
Uses the lightest / darkest color / value in the work | |||
Manipulation of light | |||
Isolation | |||
By contrast. (This can mean light against dark, big against small, textured against smooth, or color against gray). | |||
Use of subject matter / content. (In general, shocking scenes, human figures. For the human figure, it is usually the face. |
Now look at the painting again. Do you see three more points of emphasis? How did Thomas Eakins make these?
2E: Focal point / emphasis in Caravaggio’s Calling of St. Matthew.

Caravaggio. Calling of St. Matthew, (1599-1602). Oil of canvas, 322 cm × 340 cm (127 in × 130 in). San Luigi dei Francesi, Rome.
Most important part: __________________________
Which methods help create the focal point in Caravaggio’s work? Put an X next to your answer. Explain with some details.
Methods to create emphasis / the focal point |
|||
Direction of lines | |||
Gestures by depicted objects / persons | |||
Position in composition (Where is it?) | |||
Uses the lightest / darkest color / value in the work | |||
Manipulation of light | |||
Isolation | |||
By contrast. (This can mean light against dark, big against small, textured against smooth, or color against gray). | |||
Use of subject matter / content. (In general, shocking scenes, human figures. For the human figure, it is usually the face. |
Now look at the painting again. Do you see two more points of emphasis? How did Caravaggio make these?
Exercise 3: Focus on Writing
Select one picture from Exercise 2. Write a paragraph describing the focal point(s) in the work.
Exercise 4: Speaking exercise

Andy Warhol. 100 Soup Cans, (1962). Oil on canvas, 72 x 52 inches (182.9 x 132.1 cm). Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo.
You are now Andy Warhol’s art teacher. Poor Andy, he did the assignment incorrectly. You wanted him to create a strong focal point. Instead, he created no focal point and no emphasis.
A. Give Andy instructions on how to create one strong focal point using 100 soup cans in a painting. Make a list of four or more methods and give details.
B. Give Andy instructions on how to create three strong focal points using 100 soup cans in a painting. Make a list of four or more methods and give details.