painting artists use The rule of thirds to create easy compositions

Start creating easy compositions in your paintings with the rule of thirds. This time-honored technique has been used by artists and photographers for centuries.

You'll be able to create dynamic, balanced, and engaging paintings that draw the viewer's eye and hold their attention.

On this page, we'll look into the history of the rule of thirds, explore its various applications and provide practical tips for incorporating it into your own paintings.

Engage the viewers with dynamic compositions!

A Centuries-Old Secret to Captivating Artwork

The rule of thirds is a time-honored technique, used by artists and photographers. It was written about in the 1700s.

The first writings were about how to use light and dark values in a painting. The recommendation was to have unequal parts of light and dark.

Then the suggestion was to paint everything in a 2:1 proportion. Such as, two thirds light and one third dark, one third land with two thirds sky or vice versa, etc.

This easy technique created balanced and engaging paintings that draw the viewer's eye and hold their attention.

Today's artists use the rule to place the painting's focal point at a two-thirds position.

the rule of thirds makes composition easy

The rule of thirds is our shortcut to good composition.

It involves dividing your painting surface into nine equal parts and placing the main subject along these lines or at the intersections of the lines.

This strategic placement creates a sense of harmony and tension that makes our paintings more interesting and visually appealing.

This is especially useful for the beginning artist. They can concentrate on the painting process because a good composition is a done deal.

how do we use the rule of thirds?

Try this for super easy composition.

1 - 2 Place two lines vertically up and down at one third and two thirds of the format.

3 - 4 Then place two lines horizontally across the canvas at the one third and two thirds' divisions of the canvas.

This divides the canvas into nine parts.

Place the subject of the painting at any of the four intersections of the lines.

Any intersection will work, but the top ones are best. People tend to look at things from the top down, so they will take time to look at the rest of the painting.

The subject does not have to be exactly dead-center on the intersections.

They may also, be placed anywhere on the third lines, up or down or across. Any position will create a visually appealing composition.

the Rule of Thirds creates a balanced composition

Think of a teeter totter. A heavy person sits on the short end of the teeter totter.

In order to balance, the lighter person sits way out on the longer side of the teeter totter.

Place the subject at the fulcrum of the teeter totter.

In a painting we place our subject, (the focal point) one third of the way into the painting.

The rest of the painting takes up the remaining two thirds of the space.

This makes a balanced painting, just like on a balanced teeter totter.

A painting with unequal parts is more interesting and attractive to the viewers.

The focal point draws the people in. Then their eyes have space to move around in the other parts of the painting.

Get tips on creating a focal point.

what's wrong with Centering the Subject

The viewer's eye is drawn to a centered subject, then they don't look around the rest of the painting. Why?

Place the subject at a three-quarters view.

A centered subject divides the painting in two.

Then viewer doesn't know whether to look left of right. Indecision causes them to lose interest in the painting.

There are always exceptions to any rule.

One time we may place the focal point in the middle could be in a portrait.

In a portrait it's best to place the subject at a three quarters view, not looking directly at the viewer.

That changes the painting from being completely symmetrical and creates more interest.

You can paint the lion portrait with the tutorial.

Variations of the rule of thirds

In our culture most of us read from left to right. So, an intersection on the right side is considered the ideal place for the focal point.

landscape and portrait orientation

Use the vertical lines for tall subjects.

The subject in tall or long paintings may be placed along the third lines.

This works for either horizontal or vertical subjects.

Vertical subjects such as a tall waterfall, a tree, a tall building, or even a lighthouse may be placed on or near one of the vertical lines.

The remaining two thirds of the painting balances the tall object.

Long buildings would be placed on one of the horizontal lines.

Additionally, the lines of land or water may be placed at or near one of the horizontal third lines.

This would give us the 2:1 ratio of land to sky or land to water.

That's what the artists were talking about in their writings back in the 1700s.

create a secondary focal point

A second focal point creates more dynamics.

A second focal point gives the viewers more to look at and keeps them interested in the painting.

Place the second subject at another intersection of the third lines.

In this painting the hummingbird and the flower are each placed at an intersection.

They are placed diagonally across from each other.

Diagonal lines create a dynamic tension and indicate action in a painting.

Plus, the hummingbird is looking at the flower. That guides the viewer's gaze to the flower.

Do artists always follow this rule?

Of course not, but the rule of thirds is an excellent tool for the artist's tool belt.

Using the rule creates dynamic and balanced compositions.

We can confidently count on a good composition and turn our attention to color and other painting skills.

As you continue to grow and develop as an artist, be sure to check out more articles and tutorials on ArtbyCarolMay.com.