60 min Contrast & Focus Challenge
Learn to use contrast effectively to create strong focal points and enhance clarity in your composition. Explore light, dark, and color contrast to guide the viewer’s attention.
Welcome to your new challange
This challenge is all about commitment, creativity, and momentum. We encourage you to go all in for the next 60 minutes—immerse yourself in the process, explore new ideas, engage with the community and most importantly, enjoy the journey. By the end of the challenge you’ll not only have created something meaningful, but you’ll also have strengthened your artistic mindset and techniques.
Things you need
To make the most of this challenge, prepare:
- → A tablet/sketchbook, brushes, pencils, colors. etc
- → A timer to keep track of exercise duration
- → A comfortable workspace with minimal distractions
Engage with the community
Art thrives in community, and this challenge is designed to bring artists together. If you haven’t already, join the Art Challenges Whatsapp Group and take a moment to introduce yourself by sharing:
🔹 A short introduction about you and your artistic background.
🔹 One artwork that represents your current style
🔹 What are your expectations from this community?
🔹 What personal challenge are you working on right now?
Engaging with other artists will enhance your experience, provide inspiration, and give you valuable insights. Don’t hesitate to support others, give feedback, and share your progress along the way.
Start Challange
Learn
Mastering flow requires understanding how to lead the viewer’s eye and maintain visual balance. Study the following article:
Exercise – Building Depth in Your Composition
Now that you understand the role of contrast, it’s time to apply these techniques. The goal is to train your eye to control contrast and focus, ensuring that the viewer’s attention lands where you want it.
Start by sketching three small and quick thumbnails (10 minutes each), try to keep your sketches simple—focus on structure and depth rather than details. Each thumbnail should incorporate at least two of the following depth techniques:
- Leading Lines
- Use pathways, architecture, gestures, or any directional elements to guide the viewer’s eye through the scene.
- Balance and Movement
- Experiment with diagonal compositions for dynamic energy or triangular arrangements for stability.
- Repetition
- Introduce repeated shapes, patterns, or colors to unify different elements and reinforce movement throughout the composition.
Self-Feedback
Now, analyze your sketches and reflect on how effectively you've created depth. Answer these questions honestly to refine your artistic approach:
- 1. Where does the eye enter and exit the composition?
- ________________
- 2. Does movement feel intentional and natural?
- ________________
- 3. Are there distracting elements breaking the flow?
- ________________
- 4. If flipped horizontally, does the composition still work?
- _______________
Take your time, evaluate your work, and choose the thumbnail that best represents strong visual flow and rhythm. You’re building something great—keep going!
Final Artwork
Now, it’s time to take your best thumbnail and transform it into a fully developed artwork!
→ Select your strongest thumbnail.
→ Refine your sketch keeping the depth techniques intact.
→ Apply your artistic style.
→ Enhance depth using lighting and color.
→ Finalize with details and polish.