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Rule of Thirds• What is the Rule of Thirds?
Quite simply, divide a canvas in thirds both horizontally and vertically, and place the focus of the painting either one third across or one third up or down the picture, or where the lines intersect (the red circles on the diagram).
• What Difference Does the Rule of Thirds Make?Take a look at these two photos of a lion. On the one on the left, your eye is drawn straight into the centre of the image and you tend to ignore the rest of the picture. On the one on the right, where the lion's face is on one of the Rule of Thirds 'hotspots', your eye is drawn the the lion's face, then around the painting following the curve of the body.
• How Do I Use the Rule of Thirds in a Painting?Until you're confident mentally visualising the lines, draw them in lightly on your canvas or piece of paper with a pencil so you can easily check that the placement of the elements in your painting adheres to the Rule of Thirds. If you do thumbnail sketches first, draw the thirds grid on top to check the composition.
• Rule of Thirds in PhotographyWhen you're taking reference photos, remember the Rule of Thirds also applies to photography. See these examples of the Rule of Thirds in Photography from About.com's Photography Guide.
• Rule of Thirds in DesignThe Rule of Thirds also works well for creating balance in a design.
Which is the best composition?
Objective: You will analyze artworks in order to use better compositional strategies.
DRILL:Get your sketchbook.Draw at least 4 ideas for your
composition as you watch.List at least 8 methods for
composition.
Dividing things up
Middle? No.
A little better
The keeper
The Rule of Thirds• Art composition rules provide a starting point for
deciding on a composition for a painting, for deciding where to put things.
• The Rule of Thirds is the easiest art composition rule to follow in a painting.
• It's a basic rule popular among photographers, but equally applicable to the composition of paintings.
• Applying the rule of thirds to a painting means you'll never have a painting that's split in half, either vertically or horizontally, nor one with the main focus right in the centre like a bull's-eye.
• So you can easily check that the placement of the elements in your painting.
The golden ratio
Fibbinacci Sequence
The Golden Ratio in nature.
61.8%• Using the left side of the painting as a
side, create a square on the left of the painting by inserting a vertical line. Notice that you have created a square and a rectangle. The rectangle turns out to be a Golden Rectangle, of course. Also, draw in a horizontal line that is 61.8% of the way down the painting (.618 - the inverse of the Golden Ratio). Draw another line that is 61.8% of the way up the painting. Try again with vertical lines that are 61.8% of the way across both from left to right and from right to left. You should now have four lines drawn across the painting. Notice that these lines intersect important parts of the painting, such as the angel, the woman, etc. Coincidence? I think not!
High horizon line
High horizon line
Low horizon line
Higher Level Compositional Effects
• The rule of thirds• The Golden Ratio• High horizon line• Low horizon line• Circular• Cruciform• Squares• Strata
GridSeparate into
squares
CircularRobert Delaunay
Cruciform
Compositional Strategies
They are: vertical, circular,overlapping
squares,horizontal, cantilever and cruciform.
Questions to ask yourself about your composition:
1. Where's the Focal Point?2. Did You Use a Viewfinder?3. Are the Values Varied? 4. How Many Elements are There?5. How Are the Elements Spaced?6. Are Any Elements Kissing?7. Do Warm or Cool Colors
Dominate?8. Is There Unity?9. Is the Underlying Composition
Obvious?10. Is There Variety?
5 ways to ruin your painting:
1. Fried Egg Composition
2. Lack of Tonal Difference
3. Too Many Colors4. Only One
Reference Photo, Copied Slavishly
5. Not Knowing When to Stop
Draw at least 4 thumbnail sketches of composition ideas.
Principles of Design
• Balance• Asymmetry• Symmetry• Focal Point• Center of Interest• Emphasis• Repetition• Contrast
• Radial Design• Movement• Transition• Pattern• Variety• Rhythm• Harmony• Unity
Higher Level Compositional Effects
• The rule of thirds• The Golden Ratio• High horizon line• Low horizon line• Circular• Cruciform• Squares• Strata
