Art Tips from ArtSupply.Com The Golden Ratio (2024)

Proportion is an important element when artists are composing a new work, and many of the master artists through history have used a specific tool of proportion to create visually pleasing compositions. The Golden Ratio, based on the mathematical number Phi. In math, the ratio is 1:1.618, but let's not dwell on the numbers; let's look at how this mathematic relationship can improve and advance your art.

Beauty
Many artists, architects, and designers use the golden ratio in their work because it is considered to be the most aesthetically pleasing proportion. The golden ratio is most often expressed in shape form as a Golden Rectangle, where the ratio of the longer side to the shorter side is the golden ratio. Real-world applications of the golden rectangle include wide-screen television or movie screens, playing cards, and photographs. Filmmakers love the golden rectangle because it frames the human body in a more pleasing way than standard television proportions. Use the golden rectangle as a way to compose human faces for portraits, and your faces will take on a beauty that can be achieved only through a natural balance of elements.

Balance
The golden ratio and the golden rectangle are also excellent references for placing elements throughout a composition. The often used Rule of Thirds takes a similar approach to balancing a composition, but the golden ratio can be used for much more detailed purposes. Da Vinci's "Last Supper" is an excellent study in compositional balance and placement based on the golden ratio, and almost all of George Seurat's work is filled with the golden ratio. The balance of these artists' work is obvious; the elements let the eye move naturally and easily around the composition, and give the mind enough breathing room to absorb and give priority to each element.

Nature
The golden ratio is found all through patterns in nature: sunflower seeds on the pod, conch shells, and pinecones are all easily recognizable examples of how this ratio plays out over and over again in nature. Crystals and precious stones are formed in the same pattern, but the golden ratio, many writers, artists, and scientists have said, comes into its fullest realization in the human form.

Art Tips from ArtSupply.Com The Golden Ratio (1)
Art Tips from ArtSupply.Com The Golden Ratio (2)

Art Tips from ArtSupply.Com The Golden Ratio (2024)

FAQs

Art Tips from ArtSupply.Com The Golden Ratio? ›

The golden ratio is most often expressed in shape form as a Golden Rectangle

Golden Rectangle
In geometry, a golden rectangle is a rectangle whose side lengths are in the golden ratio, , which is (the Greek letter phi), where. is approximately 1.618. A golden rectangle with sides ab placed adjacent to a square with sides of length a produces a similar golden rectangle.
https://en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Golden_rectangle
, where the ratio of the longer side to the shorter side is the golden ratio. Real-world applications of the golden rectangle include wide-screen television or movie screens, playing cards, and photographs.

How to do the golden ratio in art? ›

The golden ratio originates from the Fibonacci Sequence. This numbered progression is when the next number is a total of itself and the previous number. You can create your own golden ratio image by dividing the width and height by 1.618. Artists throughout time used this technique.

What is the golden rule of art? ›

The golden ratio is a structural device based on the patterns of nature, that has been used by artists and designers for centuries. The golden ratio, also known as the divine proportion, is a mathematical ratio of 1:1.618, or Phi, with a decimal that stretches to infinity, closely linked to the Fibonacci sequence.

What is the golden ratio for beginners? ›

The Golden Ratio is a number that's (kind of) equal to 1.618, just like pi is approximately equal to 3.14, but not exactly. You take a line and divide it into two parts – a long part (a) and a short part (b). The entire length (a + b) divided by (a) is equal to (a) divided by (b). And both of those numbers equal 1.618.

What famous paintings use the golden ratio? ›

One of the most famous paintings in Western art history, "The Last Supper" by Leonardo da Vinci, is known to have utilized the golden ratio in its composition. The painting depicts the last meal of Jesus Christ with his disciples and is renowned for its intricate details, dramatic lighting, and spatial depth.

How do you apply golden ratio to canvas? ›

Dividing Rectangles

With any canvas, you can find the Golden Mean point between the edges by multiplying the length by . 61803. It's close to a third — more on that in a bit. You can place these lines on the canvas coming from all directions, then where the lines converge, place important elements there.

How to find the golden ratio in a picture? ›

a/b = (a+b)/a = φ

In photography, the golden ratio can be used to create balanced and aesthetically pleasing compositions. This is achieved by dividing the frame into thirds, both horizontally and vertically, and placing the subject or key elements of the image at the intersection points of the lines.

What are the 7 rules of art? ›

The principles of art and design are balance, contrast, emphasis, movement, pattern, rhythm, and unity or variety.

How does the Mona Lisa use the golden ratio? ›

It means that Lisa's eyes are positioned as part of the golden ratio in relation to other parts of the painting, more than once. The Horizontal distance from the left hand side of the painting to her left eye and then on to the right edge of the painting is 1:1.618.

What is the golden ratio in modern art? ›

The golden ratio in art: the promise of harmony

With a proportion equal to x²=x+1, the golden ratio in art creates a balanced relationship that the mind's eye loves. More precisely, it is about obtaining a precise ratio between the different parts of a work, an image, or an object.

How do I calculate my golden ratio? ›

The Golden Ratio can be calculated proportionally, using joined line segments AB and BC that obey the Golden Ratio with AB being the shorter segment. The Golden Ratio is given by the proportion AB/BC = BC/AC. The Golden Ratio may also be expressed in terms of itself, as the formula phi = 1 + 1/phi.

What is the most attractive golden ratio? ›

A visually balanced face is approximately 1.618 times longer than it is wide. The distance from the top of the nose to the center of the lips should be around 1.618 times the distance from the center of the lips to the chin.

What is the basic formula for the golden ratio? ›

Golden ratio is a special number and is approximately equal to 1.618. Golden ratio is represented using the symbol “ϕ”. Golden ratio formula is ϕ = 1 + (1/ϕ).

How to apply golden ratio in art? ›

The golden ratio has been used by artists to locate aesthetically pleasing areas to place our subjects and distribute weight in our paintings. Another option is to segment your painting into nine unequal sections using the golden ratio. The ratio of the columns is 1: 0.618: 1. Likewise for the rows.

What is the golden rule in painting? ›

The golden ratio (also known as the golden section, and golden mean) is the ratio 1:0.62. Use it to divide lines and rectangles in an aesthetically pleasing way. In the above square A is 0.62 of the rectangle. Square B is 0.62 of square A.

Did Picasso use the golden ratio? ›

Pablo Picasso & the Golden Ratio & Fibonacci Numbers: It has been said that the postmodern movement neglected classcial rules of composition, but as seen here, Picasso embraced the golden number PHI and the golden rectangle, PHI grid, and golden harmonies.

How to use the Fibonacci sequence in art? ›

How to Use the Fibonacci Sequence. One way artists can use the Fibonacci sequence is by creating compositions that follow this golden ratio, (which is a proportion of 1.618). This proportion is found in many natural objects, such as seashells, flowers, and even human faces.

How do you layout a golden ratio? ›

Layout:Set your dimensions with the Golden Ratio

One very simple way to apply the Golden Ratio is to set your dimensions to 1:1.618.> For example, take your typical 960-pixel width layout and divide it by 1.618. You'll get 594, which will be the height of the layout.

How do you draw a golden ratio shape? ›

How to draw a golden rectangle
  1. Draw an exact square.
  2. Find the middle point of the bottom of the square.
  3. Measure from the middle point to the top corner.
  4. Extend the bottom line out from the middle point by the same amount and make the square into a rectangle.

What is the rule of thirds golden ratio art? ›

The rule of thirds is quite a simple rule. Divide the image in nine equal parts, by drawing two horizontal and two vertical lines at thirds from the edges. Place your subject on one of the lines or at the intersection of the lines, and you're done.

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