I agree with everything that SamTherapy said. In the "Western" world. But that still doesn't explain aesthetics. Primitive tribes, ancient civilisations etc, must have had a very different set of aesthetic principles to the ones I (and probably you) are brought up to believe in. Not saying it's wrong, just saying that sometimes "thinking outside the box" is worth it. (Not often, but sometimes..) OTOH: If you want to appeal to a mass market, then (and this is NOT meant derogatively), then yes. Study the old masters. Learn the techniques, like the "Golden Mean", and "leading the eye". Nothing wrong in that at all. In fact I'm trying to do it myself (with minor success). OK. As an apology the above doesn't work too well, but (I think) my heart's in the right place..:-)) Cheers, Diolma