Page 6 Lines, Framing and Rule of Thirds

Fig. 32

Framing and compositional elements draw the viewer's attention to the details that the artist has chosen to include inside the 'frame.' The viewers may ask why this arrangement was chosen.

Usually, compositional details are arranged in a particular order or pattern.

An image has three parts:

• foreground
• mid-ground
• background

In image 32, the girl's arm is in the foreground.

The lady's face and the fence are in mid-ground; the background is something indistinct and blurred.

The fence frames the subjects' faces, keeping the eye from wandering away from the focal point (girl and woman).

Objects or lines that appear to overlap or sit in front of other objects, create the illusion of closeness to the viewer.

In Figure 33, why has the visual artist chosen to include only the boy's eye? What elements of the background has the artist omitted?

Fig. 33

Fig. 34

Open space occurs when the viewer knows the picture extends beyond the frame edges. This gives the impression of distance.

Fig. 35

Often, an artist will choose to frame a composition based on symmetry or a balanced pattern, to give a sense of order and peace, as in Figure 35.

Uneven shapes or lopsided patterns produce tense feelings.

Fig. 36

Lines draw the viewer's eyes to or through key parts of the image, as well as create mood.

• Vertical lines give the impression of strength or power.

Fig. 37

• Horizontal lines give the impression of calm, stability or rest.

Fig. 38

• Diagonal lines suggest movement and add energy or interest. Jagged lines indicate disorder or upset.

The diagonal lines in Figure 38 indicate depth by leading the eye into the image towards the focal point, the lady's face.

Often diagonal lines lead to a vanishing point on the horizon. However, in this image, the lines lead to a tall rectangular building.

Fig. 38

Fig. 39

Artists use the rule of thirds, to control focus and balance in an image. They:

• divide their image (camera lens, canvas, etc.) into three equal parts, vertically and horizontally

• ensure that at least 2 or 3 of their main points of interest (Note the red circles) fall onto at least two intersecting points (on the blue lines), so their images appear more balanced