Golden Ratio

The Golden Ratio (also known as the Golden Section, Golden Mean, Divine Proportion) is a mathematical ratio and recurring shape in nature that is utilized in design. Compositions created using the Golden Ratio are aesthetically pleasing, giving an organic and balanced feel that the human eye is extremely drawn to. This can be achieved by placing key elements, like line, shape, and color, along the intersections of the proportions, or the spiral, of the Golden Ratio. Golden Ratio as a Formula: a +b / a = a/b. The greek letter Phi is used to represent the Golden Ratio in mathematics. The Golden Ratio has been studied throughout history and can be found in many places: The Golden Ratio can be found in the proportions of the Great Pyramid of Giza, in Leonardo Da Vinci’s Virtivian Man, and the Fibonacci Sequence is extremely close to the Golden Ratio. The Golden Ratio’s proportions can even be found in the growth patterns of plants!

Let’s create our own Golden Ratio!

You will need: Pencil, and a Ruler or a Protractor. Use the space below to create a square. Mark a dot halfway along the bottom edge, and make a line from that dot to the upper right corner. Using the length of the new diagonal line, extend the bottom from the halfway dot. Then extend the square to become the golden ratio!

1 1

1 5 2

1/2 1/2 1/2 5 2

The Rule of Thirds is a simplification of the Golden Ratio that uses similar proportions. The intersections of the lines can be used to identify areas of interest, and place elements there to enhance the composition and guide the viewer’s eye. Both the Golden Ratio and the Rule of Thirds help enhance movement in a composition, leading and guiding the eye around the piece.

Can you see the Rule of Thirds at work here in Ashley Miller’s piece here? Can you observe movement and areas of interest?

Check out Ashley’s work “Into The Forest” during ArtPrize at The Atrium at Uccello’s Downtown!

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