Using Grids

A grid is an easy way to place important parts of your image. Some digital cameras even have an onscreen grid. There are two slightly different versions: "Rule of Thirds" and "Golden Means". The points where the lines cross are most important, but one can also use the lines itself to place e.g. the horizon.

Rule of Thirds

• The width and height of the canvas are divided in three equal pieces.
• Very easy, even with eyeballing

Golden Means

• is considered more elegant or "perfect" (also called "divine proportions")
• Harder to use, because you most likely need a calculator
• the lines are 1,618 : 1 from each border

A guide. Scale and rotate to measure the golden means relations. I made this as an ArtRage Stencil. but you can load it into any programm you want.

Extending the Grid

If you like to work with grids you can even use them to construct your whole composition: draw diagonals from each corner and add more lines that connect some of the intersections. If you use symmetry the result is called a "formal division" and has a very static, solid, "heroic" feel. The advantage of using grids is a clear composition where all lines have a certain direction and relate to each other and no element disrupts the composition or looks misplaced. For an experienced artist or somebody with good eyeballing it will be unessesary to construct an image that way. For example if you are drawing an human figure, you will most likely begin with the action lines and basic shapes, so all your lines will follow strong directions anyway...