As an affiliate of Amazon and Blick Art Materials I earn from purchases. There is no additional cost to you. Learn More

what is the rule of thirds?

The rule of thirds is the easiest and simplest way to compose pleasing paintings.

how do we use the rule of thirds?

Divide your painting surface into thirds, both horizontally and vertically. Draw two lines up and down and across your painting surface.

This gives you nine equal spaces. This works when your painting is oriented either horizontal or vertical.

Place your focal point, the center of interest at one of the intersections.

You may use any intersection, left, right, top or bottom.

See the example of my Scrub Jay painting at the right. He is located on the intersection of the third lines.

The viewer's eye is drawn into the painting and can freely move out around the rest of the painting.

Using the Rule of Thirds

why do we use the rule of thirds?

The focal point is never in the center of the painting.

If the focal point is dead center in the middle of the painting, it is like diving into a deep hole. It is hard for the viewer's eye to move to other areas in the painting.

placing people or animals

• Position people or animals facing into the painting.
  

Don't have them looking out the side of the painting. Their line-of-sight will carry the viewer's eye right out of the painting.

Give them plenty of space in front of their face to look into the painting.

The Scrub Jay in the painting above is looking into the painting. His view directs the viewer's gaze into the painting. 

The viewer's eye goes down to the central flower, around to the other flowers and back up the bird's tail. The eye is kept inside of the painting.

The flowers by the edges of the painting are softer with less contrast, so they don't pull the viewer out of the painting.

This is easy composition.

the rule of center lines

The Rule of Center Lines is a second method of easy composition.

Don't put the main subject of your painting on the center lines either horizontally or vertically.

The RED lines mean danger.

Place any main objects to the left or right of the vertical center line and above or below the horizontal line. Place the horizon either above or below the center line. 

If you put a main object or the horizon on the center line, it cuts the painting right in half.

The Rule of Center Lines

watch out for these mistakes

The Oyster Catcher in the painting at the right is dead-centered in the middle of the painting.

Also, the centered horizon cuts the painting in half.

Then the viewer sees two paintings instead of one cohesive painting. They feel uncomfortable and don't know where to look.

These two mistakes make a very poor composition.

Easy composition in landscapes or seascapes means always place the horizon either above or below the center line.

Poor Composition

more composition tips

After you position the main subjects of your painting, you are well on your way to an exciting painting.

Keep a few other things in mind.

variety is very important

• Vary the Sizes, Shapes and Colors. This is a very important item for easy composition.

Don't repeat sizes and shapes thru-out the painting. Have large, small and medium items in the painting, never all the same size.

The same goes for color. Don't have equal amounts of warm and cool colors.

Use your dominant, focus color in a smaller amount. There will be larger amounts of the other colors.

In this painting the focus color is orange. Blue and yellow are the supporting colors.

Variety Is the Spice of Life

watch your lines

• Don't line up anything line up parallel with the edges of the painting.

• A line going directly out the side of the painting, especially out of the corners, will lead the viewer's eye right out of the painting.

What about the horizon? Break the horizon line somehow, like with a bird, a tree, a mountain to keep the eye in the painting.

In this painting the lighthouse tilts slightly to the center of the painting. The top of the lighthouse is subdued, so it doesn't lead the viewer's eye out of the painting.

Lines Are an Important Part of Composition

Neither the lighthouse nor the horizon are on the center lines of the painting. The horizon on the right side of the canvas has less value contrast and softened edges to keep the viewer's eye in the painting.

avoid geometric shapes

• Shy away from using definite geometric shapes like a square, circle or triangle. They are too static and non-artistic.

But what if you have a building that is rectangular, a mountain that is shaped like a triangle or a lake that is a circle?

• Use your artistic license and change them.

Move the view of the building to change its shape. Or camouflage it with foliage or shadows, etc. Put whoop-Dee-dos in the mountain to change its shape. Make a meandering shoreline that is not a perfect circle and etc.

use odd numbers

• Numbers such as three, five or seven are more pleasing to the eye.

For some reason even numbers such as two, four or six are more stagnant and unexciting to the eye.

So no matter if its trees, rocks or apples, easy composition is to use odd numbers.

group items

• Things look better in groups or near other items.

Single items are great for the focal area. But in other areas of the painting, group items together. Then they are more comfortable for the viewer.

avoid tangents

• If items are touching each other, overlap them. Don't have them just barely touching, that's a tangent.
  

Artists call that kissing. Avoid objects kissing each other or kissing the side of the canvas.

Overlap them somewhat. Then they won't feel disconcerting.

above all trust yourself

You are the artist! Trust yourself. Use your artistic license.

With these easy composition guidelines you can change and move things around.

If it looks and feel right to you, it will please the viewer. And that's what it's all about.

happy painting

more painting pages

Values Make
Strong Paintings

Butterfly Paintings
in Oils or WC

How to Paint
Fantastic Paintings

Creating
A Focal Point

1. Home
>
2. Learn Painting
›
3. Easy Composition