58: Creating Areas of Focus and New Drawings
An early advance copy of my new book arrived, and a few class and workshop updates.
Last week, I opened a very early advance copy of my book, Draw Your Adventures. Seeing it in real life—fully bound, no longer just a file on my screen—felt completely surreal. I’m so happy with how it turned out, and I can’t wait for you to hold your own copy in July!
I’ll be sharing more about the book in the coming months, but in the meantime, I want to say how much I appreciate all the comments, texts, and emails letting me know you’ve already pre-ordered. Pre-orders make such a difference for authors, and your support means the world to me.
If you’d like to order a signed or personalized copy, Books Are Magic in Brooklyn is handling all signed pre-orders. You can click here to reserve yours!
Creating Areas of Focus—When You Don’t Want to Draw Everything
In a recent paid-tier meetup, we explored “creating areas of focus” in artwork—how to simplify complex scenes and highlight key elements in our artwork. It was an insightful exercise for everyone, myself included! Using my iPad and layers in Procreate, I demonstrated how to break down reference photos, making composition choices that bring more intention to a scene.
Below, I’ll share some of the visuals from our session, illustrating techniques for simplifying intricate compositions. Through selective focus and detail, we found ways to bring clarity and confidence to our work—without the stress. (If any of the grouped images are cropped, you can click on them to see the full image.)
Example 1: Framing an Iconic Scene
Take a look at the reference image above, on the left. It might feel overwhelming at first—there’s so much happening. Between the perspective, the crowd of people, and the Manhattan Bridge in the distance, you might wonder, Where do I even begin?
A great starting point is to ask yourself: What’s the most important thing here? What do I want to remember? Once you identify your focus, you can let everything else fade into the background. But even as you simplify, it’s helpful to keep your focal point grounded within its setting and environment. Even just a few lines can give a subject more context.
In this case, the Manhattan Bridge in DUMBO is so iconic that you don’t need to capture every window and brick detail in the surrounding buildings. A few well-placed lines are enough to frame the bridge and give it context. By highlighting just a couple of figures walking toward or away from the bridge, you create a dynamic, expressive composition that tells the story without overwhelming yourself in the process of creating, or the viewer.
Example 2: Shifting Focus in a Museum Scene
In the first reference image, we see one of Degas’ famous dancers. This sculpture is so instantly recognizable that I decided I didn’t need to focus on the intricate details that make it beautiful. Instead, I shifted my attention to the people walking by her in the museum.
To enhance the sense of depth and visual interest, I added a figure in the distance, looking at a large abstract painting. (I invented this painting to demonstrate how a simple pop of color can naturally draw the eye.) This subtle interplay between focus and blur creates a balanced composition that emphasizes the figures without losing the context of the museum setting.
Example 3: Capturing a Personal Memory
The third reference image is a photograph I took of my husband and younger son walking through Brooklyn Heights toward Joralemon Street. This scene holds a special memory for me, so we talked about how I could capture the moment by focusing on them, rather than the details of the street.
By keeping the background loose and sketchy, I allow the two figures to take center stage. Their detailed silhouettes bring the memory to life, while the blurred buildings and exaggerated street sign (which I intentionally emphasized) subtly anchor the scene, showing exactly where we were that day.
Example 4: Emphasizing Depth and Focus
In the final image, you’ll see a finished piece of mine that demonstrates how simplifying background details can enhance your subject. Here, the woman seated in a forest stands out clearly, while the surrounding trees and flowers fade softly into the background.
Think of it like a photograph with an exaggerated depth of field—the woman and a few foreground flowers are in sharp focus, while the rest of the scene is blurred, giving the viewer a sense of atmosphere without overwhelming them with unnecessary detail.
By simplifying complex scenes and directing your viewer’s attention, you can create artwork that feels dynamic, intentional, and uniquely yours. I hope these examples inspire you to experiment with focus in your own work. I certainly came away from this meetup feeling inspired myself!
(The session was for paid tier subscribers. If you are interested in joining us, I’d love to have you!)
New Daily Drawings
Workshops and Events:
I’m thrilled to announce that my brand-new Skillshare class is live! This 35-minute class dives into the playful, versatile world of continuous line drawing, and I can’t wait for you to check it out.
We’ll explore a range of fun techniques—from handwriting and title lettering to creating layouts in your journal and even drawing fine art portraits. This is a class you can follow along with step by step, but it’s also packed with ideas to spark your own creative projects. Whether you’re doodling in a sketchbook or working on something more ambitious, there’s plenty here to inspire you.
This time, I took a more casual, relaxed approach to filming. My goal was to make it feel approachable and accessible—like we’re sketching together! If this format works, I’m planning to share even more classes like it.
Draw and Paint Brooklyn - Updated!
Sometimes plans shift—and that opens the door to something new! While Ohn Mar Win won’t be able to join us in NYC this May, I’m excited to announce that I’ll be hosting and teaching the majority of the day solo with special guest
who will be joining us to contribute her own hour long lesson!In planning these sessions, I’m working on ways to bring in not only my own techniques and perspective but also the spontaneity and charm that make Ohn Mar’s work so special. Expect fresh lessons, exciting prompts, and plenty of time to draw together in one of the most inspiring areas of Brooklyn—right where the Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges meet.
Two spots left on Thursday, May 8th
One spot left on Friday, May 9th
Creatively Wild Art Studios 98 Water Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201
DUMBO Open Studios
My studio will be open to visitors from 1–6 PM on April 26th and 27th, alongside over 160 other Brooklyn artists. My son, Theo, who shares part of my space, will also be there, selling some of his handmade clothing and more. Click here for more info
Ambassador and Affiliate Codes
If you’d like to try out Blackwing pencils or just order some new items, please shop using this unique link: blackwing602.com/sdionbaker. When you purchase using my link, there’s no additional cost to you, and I earn a small commission. I appreciate your support!
Most of my Skillshare classes feature my favorite Caran d’Ache art supplies. My relationship with the US distributor, Creative Art Materials, started back when I wrote Draw Your Day in 2018, and they saw how heavily I featured their art tools—many that I have been using since I was in grade school. Click here to find some my favorites on the Orange Art website.
All products from Art Toolkit are 10% off with my discount code: SDIONBAKER10
All Canvas lights and accessories are 10% off with my discount code: SDB10.
It was soooo fun seeing a sneak peek of Draw Your Adventures. I can’t wait to have my own copy and try the prompts in my new home! 😬
That's a smile!