On my online workbook this week: There once was a bat called Tequila, a Halloween story

Dear

This week's inspiration is a traditional trick that still work a treat.

My tip for you this week is about subtle focal points. How to make it all about the bat without looking like you are making it all about the bat.

I wanted my design to whisper... not shout. Everything is designed to make you notice the bat even though I toned the elements way down.

Let me point out three things to get us started:

Line: The design details point to the bat creating a visual path for your eyes to follow. See the willow stem that curve from front to the back?

Colour: The armature is made from green willow but the bat is a brown that matches the warmer colour you see in the leaves, again making you notice the bat hanging close to the branches. The difference is slight, but enough to get noticed.

Contrast: The delicate tendrils glued to the branches and the very fine roots at the bottom of the levitating trees creates an eerie haze around the entire design to add to the light overall levitating/floating feel. But then I used sturdier tendrils and vine twigs to craft the bat with so that you immediately notice it, and move in closer to see what is going on.

Nothing competes with the focal point for attention yet it is still minimal.

Did you notice some focal point tricks?

Enjoy!

Every good wish,

Christine

ps: Happy Halloween, everyone!