called the 'Guide of Thirds' because it is not a rule that
everyone has to obey all the time. It is only a helpful guide,
and it is useful to know how it works.
The rule of thirds - our 'guide of thirds - helps us to make
things asymmetrical to add interest to our picture.
To be able to use it, you should be able to divide numbers by
three. That's really not so very hard. We do not have to be exact
and, with a little practice, you will be able to guess close enough.
If you are using a measure, though, and not guessing;
If something is 12 centimetres long it divides into three pieces,
each 4 centimetres wide.
If something is 30 inches long, it divides into three pieces, each 10
inches wide.
If something is 15 gigglehumps, snarfs or nostril-widths long, it
divides into three pieces, each 5 gigglehumps, snarfs, or nostril
widths wide.
Numbers work the same, whatever the measurements.
Teacher!!
It is probably best to try this first using a ruler and a piece of paper
whose sides are a number of inches, centimetres or whatever
where each is equally divisible by three.
everyone has to obey all the time. It is only a helpful guide,
and it is useful to know how it works.
The rule of thirds - our 'guide of thirds - helps us to make
things asymmetrical to add interest to our picture.
To be able to use it, you should be able to divide numbers by
three. That's really not so very hard. We do not have to be exact
and, with a little practice, you will be able to guess close enough.
If you are using a measure, though, and not guessing;
If something is 12 centimetres long it divides into three pieces,
each 4 centimetres wide.
If something is 30 inches long, it divides into three pieces, each 10
inches wide.
If something is 15 gigglehumps, snarfs or nostril-widths long, it
divides into three pieces, each 5 gigglehumps, snarfs, or nostril
widths wide.
Numbers work the same, whatever the measurements.
Teacher!!
It is probably best to try this first using a ruler and a piece of paper
whose sides are a number of inches, centimetres or whatever
where each is equally divisible by three.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
1. Portrait format. Two top to bottom (vertical) lines divide the page into three equal
parts.
(If this page is 9 inches wide, for example, you would rule across the top and bottom,
making marks at 3 inches and 6 inches, then join top to bottom with your ruler.
If this page is 24 centimetres wide, you would rule across the bottom and the top, make
marks at 8 centimetres and 16 centimetres, then join them top to bottom, and so on)
2. Portrait format. Two side to side (horizontal lines divide the page into three equal
parts.
3. Portrait format. Together the vertical and horizontal lines divide the page into nine
equal parts.
4, 5 & 6. Landscape format, showing the same divisions of the page.
Why isn't it called the rule of Ninths? I don't know.
parts.
(If this page is 9 inches wide, for example, you would rule across the top and bottom,
making marks at 3 inches and 6 inches, then join top to bottom with your ruler.
If this page is 24 centimetres wide, you would rule across the bottom and the top, make
marks at 8 centimetres and 16 centimetres, then join them top to bottom, and so on)
2. Portrait format. Two side to side (horizontal lines divide the page into three equal
parts.
3. Portrait format. Together the vertical and horizontal lines divide the page into nine
equal parts.
4, 5 & 6. Landscape format, showing the same divisions of the page.
Why isn't it called the rule of Ninths? I don't know.
With our page lightly marked into nine divisions, each exactly or
just nearly the same size, what do we do next?
just nearly the same size, what do we do next?
I am going to call the lines from top to bottom the vertical
thirds. First is first from the left. Second is second from
the left.
Let's call the lines across the horizontal thirds. The first
horizontal is the first from the bottom. The second is the
second from the bottom.
I have drawn blue circles on what are called the
intersections, the points where lines cross each other.
These can be useful too.
thirds. First is first from the left. Second is second from
the left.
Let's call the lines across the horizontal thirds. The first
horizontal is the first from the bottom. The second is the
second from the bottom.
I have drawn blue circles on what are called the
intersections, the points where lines cross each other.
These can be useful too.
2nd
1st
Here I have used the dividing line of the first vertical
'third' across as the place to put my tree.
Even without the trees in the background the picture
would be quite strong.
Notice that it is asymmetrical.
The background trees are also placed on a third, this
time the first horizontal third up from the bottom.
The road, drawn in simple perspective, curls to the
intersection or joining point of the first horizontal and
first vertical thirds.
'third' across as the place to put my tree.
Even without the trees in the background the picture
would be quite strong.
Notice that it is asymmetrical.
The background trees are also placed on a third, this
time the first horizontal third up from the bottom.
The road, drawn in simple perspective, curls to the
intersection or joining point of the first horizontal and
first vertical thirds.
Here I have used the first vertical third as the place to
put the tower of the silhouetted mosque. I think I should
have made it a little taller and taken it into the top third.
It is not an accident that the mosque dome pushes up
just over the first horizontal third, whilst the palm tree
finishes just beneath it in the third section or part across.
put the tower of the silhouetted mosque. I think I should
have made it a little taller and taken it into the top third.
It is not an accident that the mosque dome pushes up
just over the first horizontal third, whilst the palm tree
finishes just beneath it in the third section or part across.
More use of thirds here:
The tree sits on the second vertical across and about
the second up.
The high bank sits roughly on the second vertical across
too.
The distant building sits on the intersection or
joining/crossing point of the first vertical and horizontal.
The tree sits on the second vertical across and about
the second up.
The high bank sits roughly on the second vertical across
too.
The distant building sits on the intersection or
joining/crossing point of the first vertical and horizontal.
Give it a try and see what YOU think. The only way you can fail
in art is to not try.
in art is to not try.
| Composing your picture, the 'Rule of Thirds'. Left click to enlarge the image, further enlarge with the expansion button if necessary, then copy to an application, or save the file. Many of these files are too big to print without manipulation. |
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