Free Guide: Understanding the Rule of Thirds

Learn the basic principles of this tried-and-tested technique to improve your compositions

Over the centuries, artists have strived to apply a "golden ratio" formula to their artworks and images. The calculations they used would create points of tension that, in illustrations, paintings, photographs, and visual compositions, attract our gaze and look more "pleasant" to us.

A compositional guideline, the rule of thirds simplifies this acclaimed yet complicated golden ratio, and works wonders when it's used properly—so how can you use it to improve your visual projects?

In this free beginner's guide, artist Gabriela Niko (@gabrielaniko) shares the basic tips on applying the rule of thirds to achieve a focal point in a composition.

A freelance illustrator based in Poland, Gabriela is currently a brand ambassador for Paper Concept, a Polish art store, and has completed several book illustrations, tattoos, and logo designs. She uses her social media platforms to share her work with over 246,000 followers on Instagram.

Gabriela believes that portraiture is a fascinating form of self-expression and has a natural power to attract the viewer's attention. To enhance her photographic compositions—and successfully share her work across her channels—she uses the rule of thirds to ensure the main character becomes the focal point.

To help you understand the rule of thirds, Gabriela's handout explains the basic principles behind it: how imaginary lines break down the images and how our gaze is directed to points of interest in a composition.

Gabriela also explains that the viewer’s eyes are automatically drawn to a focal point and this can also be done with the help of shapes, light, and color. And, as the rule of thirds isn't the only option for achieving an interesting composition, she gives some ideas for exploring experimentation too.

Free Guide: How to Use the Rule of Thirds in Your Photos

After clicking on the button below, you will find a file in .pdf format in the Downloads folder on your computer containing the Rule of Thirds Guide, by Gabriela Niko.

If you want to learn more, you can sign up for Gabriela Niko’s course, Portrait Sketchbooking: Explore the Human Face. In her course, you'll learn the fundamentals of portraiture by learning to draw facial features, track your progress in a sketchbook, and how to photograph your work to share it online.

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