Balance

If the focal point and major subject is the lobster boat, finding ways to balance the other objects and the background is paramount to create a pleasing composition.  First, I balanced the right side of the painting with another lobster boat.  The dark building on the left side helps to frame the subject and prevent the eye from going off the page.    The boat on the left far side and the house to the right on the far shore break up the water shape and the tree shapes. 

The dock and boat with their textures and warm colors keep your eye in the foreground.  Gradation in the water leads the eye back to the reflections in the water. 

All of these things take some fore thought and planning.  A good composition is created with balance in mind.