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. thumbnail Rule of Thirds in Photography When 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.examples of the Rule of Thirds in Photography Rule of Thirds in Design The 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.art composition 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 ( 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

Low horizon line

Higher Level Compositional Effects The rule of thirds The Golden Ratio High horizon line Low horizon line Circular Cruciform Squares Strata

Grid Separate into squares

Circular Robert 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 Colors 4.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