The Power of White Shapes

White is an eye-grabber.  Planning where and why to leave the white of the paper is essential in directing the viewer to the important part of your painting.

The size and shape of the white area should be planned out before you begin painting.  In this painting of Hendrick's Head lighthouse, the white area is small and interlocks with the midtone and dark areas.  The white of the lighthouse and the keeper's house leaks into the white area of the bay behind it to help form an interesting, uninterrupted white shape.  

The beach foreground is a midtone which is dark enough to contrast with the white shape.  The dark rocks in the foreground also help in the transition from dark to midtone to light.  

Scattered whites, dragged sparkles and isolated small whites are not shapes.  Be careful not to fall in love with these saved whites.  Too many of these popcorn whites only serve to confuse the viewer's eye and detract from the more important areas of more defined white shapes.

Value sketches will help resolve the question of where to place the whites in your composition.  They will also help you avoid popcorn whites.