BURGATE ART CLASS - PAINTING PROJECT
COMPOSITION - The Rule of Thirds
- see bottom of page for Painting Project!
The rule of thirds is an ancient technique for composition and has been used by artists for centuries. Today it is also considered a useful tool in photography - or any art form that creates a two dimensional image.
It is really a guideline rather than a rule - it is a good thing to be aware of but should not be slavishly followed. Examples below show how artists from many periods have used, or bent, this rule to make their own original compositions. For beginners it is a useful topic to be aware of and to keep in mind whenever you are composing a picture.
The Rule states that if an image is divided into nine equal areas using two vertical and two horizontal lines that are equally spaced, then the main points of interest of the image should be either on one of the lines, or on one of the "sweet spots" where they intersect. This will result in a much more appealing and pleasing painting. Some artists use the boxes as mini frames to encircle a feature as well.
Sometimes there are several points of interest, sometimes only one; and sometimes a main point and several subsidiary points. When browsing through a book of paintings, it is fascinating to mentally divide the pictures up in this way and see if the artist has used the Rule. You can also do this browsing paintings on the web such as the National Gallery website where you can search for artists or topics:
https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/search-the-collection
Or you can simply Google various artists and select "Images" - try Sorolla; Monet; Alma Tadema; Hockney; Turner; Winslow Homer. If necessary put "artist" in the search after the name.
Here are some examples with the lines drawn in. Click on the images for a full view and the caption giving the artist and title:
It is really a guideline rather than a rule - it is a good thing to be aware of but should not be slavishly followed. Examples below show how artists from many periods have used, or bent, this rule to make their own original compositions. For beginners it is a useful topic to be aware of and to keep in mind whenever you are composing a picture.
The Rule states that if an image is divided into nine equal areas using two vertical and two horizontal lines that are equally spaced, then the main points of interest of the image should be either on one of the lines, or on one of the "sweet spots" where they intersect. This will result in a much more appealing and pleasing painting. Some artists use the boxes as mini frames to encircle a feature as well.
Sometimes there are several points of interest, sometimes only one; and sometimes a main point and several subsidiary points. When browsing through a book of paintings, it is fascinating to mentally divide the pictures up in this way and see if the artist has used the Rule. You can also do this browsing paintings on the web such as the National Gallery website where you can search for artists or topics:
https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/search-the-collection
Or you can simply Google various artists and select "Images" - try Sorolla; Monet; Alma Tadema; Hockney; Turner; Winslow Homer. If necessary put "artist" in the search after the name.
Here are some examples with the lines drawn in. Click on the images for a full view and the caption giving the artist and title:
Most of these paintings use the "sweet spots" where the lines intersect - or else focal points of the painting are positioned on the lines such as the faces of the girls in "Apple Picking" and the little boy in "Bubbles". The Lake landscape has the clump of trees on a sweet spot and the horizon and top of the fell are aligned on the horizontals.
Try doing this with other pictures to get a feel for it. It is important to divide the picture equally - do not try to pull the lines about to match features in the painting. Then you can assess how close the artist has followed the rule - or not!
Try doing this with other pictures to get a feel for it. It is important to divide the picture equally - do not try to pull the lines about to match features in the painting. Then you can assess how close the artist has followed the rule - or not!
Painting Project for April 2020
Paint a picture with a topic of your choice and use the Rule of Thirds to position key features in the painting. The rule applies to all genres - landscape, flower painting, still life, figures etc. You can use watercolour, oils or pastels etc as you wish.
When you have finished, take a photo of your painting and email it to me for a friendly assessment of your efforts. And do please send any comments on the paintings above - where you found the most successful use of the rule. Are there any where it has been ignored completely?
When you have finished, take a photo of your painting and email it to me for a friendly assessment of your efforts. And do please send any comments on the paintings above - where you found the most successful use of the rule. Are there any where it has been ignored completely?