Question My paintings seem to lack focus and feel flat – what can I do? Xin Qian Ko, Canada

Answer Dave replies

Sometimes we have a great idea, a solid composition, and nice line work and rendering – yet the image still ends up feeling bland and unfocused. The quickest solution is to utilise dramatic lighting effects. These don’t have to be complicated or clever: simple, yet thoughtful lighting setups can make your whole image come alive. They’re also a great way to direct the viewer’s gaze.

I’ve been told by more than one art director that they’re always on the lookout for great lighting and great composition, so working on these are a sure way to increase the attention you get! Begin by making many lighting variations of a single scene, and observe closely how each solution affects the impact and focus of your image. You can do this at the thumbnail stage, but working digitally means that it’s also easy to work on this with a finished line drawing or sketch – so let’s try it!

The finished lighting setup helps put the main focus on our foreground character, with a secondary focus point on the warrior in the distance. Here’s my inked line drawing. The composition works and we understand the scene easily enough, but it reads a...