Original Watercolor Painting

Here is a finished watercolor painting I completed on a piece of 140 lbs cold press watercolor paper.  I really tried to keep this composition very simple.  A bit of action in the sky and a bit of action in the water then everything else calm and peaceful.  In painting, and art in general, contrast is a very important part of making a finished work aesthetically pleasing or not.  Contrast, however, does not include a specific element.  Contrast comes in many forms.  Dark to light, rough to soft, busy to calm and more.  When you include contrast in your work, it gives the viewer something interesting to look at.  It breaks up the scene and helps to move the viewers eyes through the piece.  Once you get the hang of contrast, you will look for ways to utilize it all of the time.  Sometimes, you can even exaggerate the contrast and have a pleasing effect.  Contrast is one of many tools artists use to help create interesting and fulfilling art.  Try it in your own work.