Author: Johannes_Vloothuis, Contributing Editor

33. Don’t abruptly end a portion as it runs into another area.

Fig. 53. Left Incorrect. The highlighted grass suddenly stops when it reaches the foliage. Besides, the picture plane is divided in half in this area. Right. Fig. 54. Better

34. Vary your forms. If you have round summer trees don’t have round clouds in the sky. On another note, the peaks of a mountain or pine trees will look nice when surrounded by round clouds.

35. Balance is another key factor. There shouldn’t be that much difference of mass on any of the four sides of the painting; either right, left, top, or bottom. This will make it feel like it's leaning. The painting will appear it is hanging lopsided.

Left. Fig. 55. Incorrect. The heavy mass on the right tends to make the painting want to lean towards that direction like a see-saw. Right.Fig. 56 Better. This composition is more balanced now that some weight has been added to the opposite side.