Foundations of Art
and Design
Chapter 10: Emphasis and Focal Point
Terms
Emphasis - when an artist or designer
uses a technique to make the viewer
look at a particular part of their piece.
Focal Point - A specific part or area of a
piece that seizes and maintains the
attention of the viewer.
Relationships between
Emphasis and Focal Point
Fig. 10.1 Lucas by Chuck Close
In Fig. 10.1 Lucas by Chuck Close the center of
attention resides at the center of the composition. Is
this point the point of:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Emphasis
Focal Point
Both of these
Neither of these
Fig. 10.1 Lucas by Chuck Close
25%
1
25%
2
25%
3
25%
4
Relationships between Emphasis
and Focal Point
Fig. 10.2 The Outbreak
by Kathe Kollwitz
In Fig. 10.2 The Outbreak by Kathe Kollwitz
where is the focal point of the composition?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Its center
The upper left
The lower left
The lower right
The upper right
Fig. 10.2 The Outbreak by Kathe Kollwitz
20%
1
20%
20%
2
3
20%
4
20%
5
Fig. 10.3 Marilyn Diptych by Andy Warhol
In Fig. 10.3 Marilyn Diptych by Andy
Warhol where is the focal point?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
In the center
In the upper right
In the upper left
In the lower right
In the lower left
There is none
17%
1
Fig. 10.3 Marilyn Diptych by Andy Warhol
17%
17%
17%
2
3
4
17%
5
17%
6
Fig. 10.4 My Marilyn by Richard Hamilton
In Fig. 10.4 My Marilyn by Richard Hamilton
the artist uses what technique to create a
focal point?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Isolation
Directional lines
Contrast
Content
Placement
Fig. 10.4 My Marilyn by Richard Hamilton
20%
1
20%
20%
2
3
20%
4
20%
5
Emphasis by Directional Lines
Fig. 10.5 Bauhaus Stairway
by Oskar Schlemmer
In Fig. 10.5 Bauhaus Stairway Oskar
Schlemmer creates a point of focus in the
composition using:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Isolation
Directional lines
Contrast
Content
Placement
20%
1
Fig. 10.5 Bauhaus Stairway by Oskar Schlemmer
20%
20%
2
3
20%
4
20%
5
Emphasis by Contrast
Fig. 10.7 Untitled by Layla Ali
Contrast can be used to create emphasis. In
Layla ali’s image Untitled Fig. 10.7, what
character is emphasized by contrast?
1.
2.
3.
The character in the far
upper right of the top frame
The characters in the lower
left frame
The characters in the lower
right frame
Fig. 10.7 Untitled by Layla Ali
33%
1
33%
2
33%
3
Emphasis by Placement
Fig. 10.9 Welcome the World Famous Brand Name by The Luo Brothers
In Fig. 10.9 Welcome the World Famous Brand Name by The
Luo Brothers the artist uses many different components to
create a focal point. What historical compositional structure
also uses this type of layout to create a central focal point?
1.
2.
3.
4.
Religious icons
Pop icons
Modern art
Impressionism
25%
1
Fig. 10.9 Welcome the World Famous Brand Name by The Luo Brothers
25%
2
25%
3
25%
4
Fig. 10.11 Lunch II from the Missing Persons series by Ger Van Elk
In Fig. 10.11 Lunch II from the Missing Persons series
by Ger Van Elk what technique does the artist most use
to create emphasis?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Isolation
Directional lines
Contrast
Content
Placement
20%
1
20%
20%
2
3
Fig. 10.11 Lunch II from the Missing Persons series by Ger Van Elk
20%
4
20%
5
Fig. 10.12 Great Criticism:Coca-Cola by Wang Guangyi
In Fig. 10.12 Great Criticism:Coca-Cola, Wang
Guangyi uses what main technique to create
emphasis?
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Isolation
Directional lines
Contrast
Content
Placement
20%
1
Fig. 10.12 Great Criticism:Coca-Cola by Wang Guangyi
20%
20%
2
3
20%
4
20%
5
Multiple Focal Points
Fig. 10.13 Barbacoa para Cumpleaños by Carmen Lomas Garza
In Fig. 10.13 Barbacoa para Cumpleaños by Carmen
Lomas Garza the image has multiple focal points. An
artist may chose to do this for a variety of reasons. In
this case the artist has chosen to depict multiple focal
points for what reasons?
33%
33%
33%
1. Iconographic Reasons
2. As Accents
3. No reason
1
Fig. 10.13 Barbacoa para Cumpleaños by Carmen Lomas Garza
2
3
Degree of Emphasis
Fig. 10.15
Noise, Pencil, Broken Pencil, Cheap Western
by Edward Ruscha
In Fig. 10.15 Noise, Pencil, Broken Pencil,
Cheap Western, Edward Ruscha creates what
by the use of leading lines and negative space?
1.
2.
3.
4.
Emphasis
Accents
Focal Point
None of these
25%
1
25%
2
Fig. 10.15 Noise, Pencil, Broken Pencil, Cheap Western by Edward Ruscha
25%
3
25%
4
Absence of Focal Point
Fig. 10.17 Untitled, Sara Sze
In Fig. 10.17 Untitled, Sara Sze
demonstrates the concept of:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Emphasis
Accents
Focal Point
Absence of Focal
Point
Fig. 10.17 Untitled, Sara Sze
25%
1
25%
2
25%
3
25%
4