#composition #tonic #dominant
In a painting, a photo, the dominant creates an atmosphere, it plunges you into a state of mind, it’s not a scoop. On the other hand, who among you knows the tonic?
The dominant, obviously covers most of the image. For example, in Monet’s painting “Rising Sun Impression”, the dominant is blue, a light blue, one would probably say blue-grey. Here we are, of course, on the water, in the humidity of the early morning. Note that we will refer here to the color range, not to the specific tone.
As for the tonic, it gives the image a boost. In small quantities, brighter and more saturated, it creates a focus in the image.
In “Rising Sun Impression”, the orange sun plays this role of tonic.
Similarly, in Félix Vallotton’s painting “The ball”, the yellow hat of the kid is more saturated than the background, and than the red of the ball, it is our tonic. The painter incites us to go from the little girl to the ball by occasionally taking a look at the adults, identified by spots in a green background with little saturation. Here’s a triangle that takes us walk around in the picture.
This dynamic concept tonic-dominant is neither a question of time nor of culture. While observing once, you will see it everywhere!
Tonic in still lives
This eye-catching process may already be found in old master paintings, and, among others, in still lives.
The Duch artist Jan Davidzoon de Heem made use of this principle in several paintings. In the still-life below, the red lobster is the tonic while the dominant is a low saturated yellow. Lemons are also depicted by a more intense color, however, they are in the same hue as the dominant color, so that the focus is not as important as for the reddish spot.
Closer to our time, Paul Cézanne exploits the same principle in the still-life below.
Tonic in Japanese prints
Hiroshige on the other hand distributes the tonic in several small spots of the prints. Again, the tonic incites our gaze to move around the print, eventually reaching the writing, on the top right.
Go ahead!
Practice finding paintings, advertising images, photos or even film scenes where you can identify the dominant and the tonic. Which emotion conveys the dominant one to you? What is the element highlighted by the tonic?
By the way, this principle also works in interior design or clothing. In a kitchen where the furniture is grey (not in my house!), a bouquet of tulips will be an eye-catcher. Similarly, in a “natural color” living room, for example with parquet flooring and wooden furniture, a vase, even without flowers, a small sculpture or a brightly colored lamp will add its tonic touch.
If your clothes are neutral and your trainers are grey or white, try fluorescent laces, brightly colored jewellery, or a saturated scarf depending on what you want to show off.