1.4 Marks

Typically, the marks of the picture will be smaller and busier at the centre of the picture where the focal point is most likely to be

As things move away from this focal point the marks will get bigger and looser

The further away from the centre and the focal point, the less energy the marks will have

Imagine a calm and still pond

Imagine then throwing in a large stone, there is a splash

As the stone sinks the energy is expressed on the surface of the pond with a ring that moves outwards

As the ring goes wider it becomes gentler and loses its strength as it becomes larger

VIDEO: 3 brushes - small, medium and large

Remember to apply a scheme of mark making to the whole picture - use big, medium, and small marks as described on this page

Don't just try to use marks to describe one element, use them as part of the overall texture of the image

Don't apply marks as details to your favourite element - work them through the picture to make sense across the whole image

Like tones and colours, marks have a value in relation to other elements in the picture, not just in themselves