Spokewheeling

Lines converging on the center of interest of a picture are like spokes around the hub of a wheel. Since this design device needs a name, let's call it “spokewheeling.”

For centuries, artists have used converging lines to attract attention to a face or an eye.

In this picture of a Triceratops pulling a turnip cart from Dinotopia: Journey to Chandara, the lines point to the eye of the dinosaur.

Here is Goldsworthy Marlinspike from Chandara. There are a lot of lines converging on his left eye. The lines come from the top of the window, the telescope, both of his arms, and the top of the map.

Spokewheeling turns up everywhere. Jean Leon Gerome used it to center our gaze on the face of the victim of the masked duel. Click to enlarge.

And here, sans arrows, is a painting by Dean Cornwell. Look at all the spokes converging on the the left eye of the seated figure. There's the doorway, his left shoulder, both lapels of his jacket, his red necktie, his right arm, the gunman's belt, the leg of the fallen man, and the blue line on the building. The chair leg and the man's own leg almost align.

By the way, this piece is a nice example of shape welding, too.

Tomorrow: The Mud Debate