What Is the Center of Interest in Art?

The center of interest in art is the main focus of a drawing, painting or photograph, also known as focal point. The center of interest does not have to be the center of an art piece; however, it is the key element that defines it, and its interest is not diminished through other competing elements within the same artwork.

Center of interest can be achieved through various means, including contrast, color, composition, placement of an interesting subject or complementing a creation with objects or other areas that draw the viewer’s attention to the focal point. For example, if an artist wanted to emphasize the center of interest in a painting, choosing to highlight the area with a bright color can achieve this effect.