Using Composition As A Tool

Custard Cascade

Will Cotton

2001

In this painting, everything in the picture is painted so well, it almost looks like a photograph.  I think that the way a lot of the "main" pieces in the picture are laid out is quite interesting.  I find it interesting that many of the large pieces (the cake, and both cupcakes) are not fully in the picture, and are cut off in some segments.  I think that this composition is interesting because the large items in the picture, do not take over, and overpower the smaller objects because of how they are placed.  I also think that because many of the objects are partially cut out of the picture, the eye focuses on color contrast, between the white cake and the vibrantly colored fruits.  I think that this painting is more about color contrast, and shading, that it becomes more then just a painting of everyday objects.  I think that this is a very interesting, and well thought out composition.