Golden Ratio for Art Beginners #ArtHistory

OursForAll
31 May 202008:39
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRAnastasia's video delves into the fascinating world of the Golden Ratio, a mathematical concept that has captivated artists and mathematicians alike for centuries. She explains that the ratio, approximately 1.618, is found in nature, art, and even in human anatomy, as famously illustrated by Leonardo da Vinci's 'Vitruvian Man.' The video outlines how artists can incorporate the Golden Ratio into their compositions for a more aesthetically pleasing result, using techniques like the Golden Rectangle and the Golden Spiral. Anastasia provides practical tips for artists, such as the Rule of Thirds and the Rule of 5/8, to enhance their work. She emphasizes that while the Golden Ratio is a powerful tool, it's not a strict rule but an option to be used creatively in one's artistic process.

Takeaways
  • 🎨 The golden ratio, approximately 1.618, has been a significant concept in art and architecture for centuries, believed to contribute to aesthetically pleasing compositions.
  • πŸ“ The Fibonacci sequence, starting with 1 and adding the preceding number, leads to numbers that approximate the golden ratio when divided by their preceding number.
  • 🌟 Leonardo da Vinci's illustration of the Vitruvian Man popularized the golden ratio, showing its presence in human proportions.
  • 🌿 The golden ratio can be observed in nature, including the arrangement of sunflower seeds and the spiral shapes found in plants.
  • 🎼 This mathematical ratio also appears in music, influencing the works of composers like Mozart and Bach.
  • 🧬 Even human DNA features a golden spiral, demonstrating the ratio's prevalence in various aspects of life.
  • πŸ“ Artists can use the golden rectangle, formed by dividing a rectangle into a square and another golden rectangle, as a basis for composition.
  • πŸŒ€ The golden spiral, derived from the golden rectangle, is a tool used in visual art to guide the viewer's eye and create focal points.
  • πŸ–ΌοΈ Famous paintings, such as Vermeer's 'Girl with a Pearl Earring' and Leonardo da Vinci's 'Mona Lisa', utilize the golden spiral to direct attention to key areas.
  • πŸ“ Beginners can use the rule of thirds, dividing the canvas into a tic-tac-toe grid, to create balanced compositions.
  • πŸ“ The rule of 5/8 is a more advanced composition technique, dividing the canvas based on Fibonacci numbers to create dynamic compositions.
  • πŸ› οΈ The golden ratio is a tool for artists, not a strict rule, and can be adapted to enhance the visual appeal of artwork.
Q & A
  • What is the golden ratio and what value does it represent?

    -The golden ratio is a mathematical concept represented by the number 1.618. It is often denoted by the Greek letter phi (Ο†) and is found in various aspects of art, architecture, and nature.

  • Who is credited with giving the sequence of numbers that contribute to the golden ratio?

    -Leonardo of Pisa, also known as Fibonacci, is credited with giving the sequence of numbers that contribute to the golden ratio, which is named in his honor.

  • What is the Fibonacci sequence and how does it relate to the golden ratio?

    -The Fibonacci sequence is a series of numbers where each number is the sum of the two preceding ones, usually starting with 0 and 1. It begins 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, and so on. The golden ratio is derived from this sequence, as the ratio of two consecutive Fibonacci numbers tends to 1.618 as the numbers increase.

  • How did Leonardo da Vinci contribute to the popularization of the golden ratio?

    -Leonardo da Vinci contributed to the popularization of the golden ratio through his illustration of the 'Vitruvian Man,' a work that demonstrated the golden ratio in human proportions as described by the mathematician Luca Pacioli.

  • In what way does the golden ratio appear in the human body?

    -The golden ratio appears in the human body through proportions, such as the forearm being approximately 1.618 times larger than the hand, and the humerus being to the forearm and hand what the forearm and hand combined are to the humerus, following the same ratio.

  • How is the golden ratio found in nature?

    -The golden ratio is found in nature in various forms, such as the arrangement of leaves on a stem, the pattern of seeds in a sunflower, and the spiral shapes found in shells and galaxies.

  • What is the golden spiral and how is it derived from the golden ratio?

    -The golden spiral is a logarithmic spiral that gets wider by a factor of the golden ratio for every quarter-turn it makes. It is derived from the golden ratio by drawing squares and rectangles based on the golden ratio and then connecting the corners to form a spiral.

  • How can artists use the golden rectangle in their compositions?

    -Artists can use the golden rectangle as a framework for their compositions by dividing the rectangle into smaller rectangles and squares, and then drawing a spiral within it. This can help guide the viewer's eye and create a visually pleasing and balanced piece of art.

  • What is the rule of thirds and how does it relate to the golden ratio?

    -The rule of thirds is a basic composition technique where an image is divided into nine equal parts by two equally spaced horizontal lines and two equally spaced vertical lines. The key points of interest in a composition are often placed along these lines or at the points where they intersect. It is a simpler approximation of the golden ratio and can make a composition more visually appealing.

  • What is the rule of 5/8 and how does it differ from the rule of thirds?

    -The rule of 5/8 is a more precise method of dividing the page based on the Fibonacci sequence, where the width and height are divided at points that are 0.625 (5/8) of the total dimension. This creates a more refined grid compared to the rule of thirds and places the key points of interest at these more precise locations.

  • How can the golden spiral be used in visual art to enhance a piece?

    -The golden spiral can be used in visual art to guide the viewer's eye towards areas of interest, such as the eyes or the focal point of a painting. By positioning key elements of the composition along the spiral, artists can create a dynamic and engaging visual flow.

  • Why is the golden ratio considered a useful tool for artists, but not a strict rule?

    -The golden ratio is considered a useful tool for artists because it can help create compositions that are aesthetically pleasing and align with proportions found in nature and human perception. However, it is not a strict rule because art is subjective, and there are many ways to create visually appealing and impactful compositions that do not rely solely on the golden ratio.

Outlines
00:00
🎨 The Golden Ratio in Art and Nature

Anastasia introduces viewers to the concept of the golden ratio, a mathematical principle valued by artists and architects for its aesthetically pleasing properties. She explains that the ratio, approximately 1.618, has been a focus for centuries and was popularized by mathematicians like Fibonacci. The golden ratio is found in various aspects of life, from the human body's proportions to the arrangement of sunflower seeds. Artists use it to create compelling compositions, such as the golden rectangle and the golden spiral, which can be seen in famous works like Vermeer's 'Girl with a Pearl Earring' and Da Vinci's 'Mona Lisa'. Anastasia also mentions that the golden ratio is not a strict rule but a tool that artists can use to enhance their work.

05:02
πŸ“ Applying the Golden Ratio in Art Composition

The second paragraph delves into practical applications of the golden ratio for artists. Anastasia suggests starting with dividing the page into a tic-tac-toe style, also known as the rule of thirds, to create key points of interest. She then introduces the rule of 5/8, derived from the Fibonacci sequence, as a more advanced step for artists to consider when dividing their compositional space. This method involves creating lines at specific proportions across the page to align with the golden ratio. She encourages artists to experiment with these techniques but reminds them that the golden ratio is just one of many tools available to enhance visual appeal. The video concludes with an invitation for viewers to like, subscribe, and explore more about the golden ratio on other platforms.

Mindmap
Keywords
πŸ’‘Golden Ratio
The Golden Ratio, often symbolized by the Greek letter Phi (Ξ¦), is a mathematical concept represented by the number 1.618. It is considered aesthetically pleasing and has been used in art, architecture, and nature for centuries. In the video, it is mentioned that artists and architects use the Golden Ratio to create compositions that are more appealing to the human eye.
πŸ’‘Fibonacci Sequence
The Fibonacci Sequence is a series of numbers where each number is the sum of the two preceding ones, usually starting with 0 and 1. It is closely associated with the Golden Ratio, as higher Fibonacci numbers approximate the ratio more closely. In the script, Fibonacci is credited with giving the sequence that contributes to the Golden Ratio.
πŸ’‘Vitruvian Man
The Vitruvian Man is a drawing created by Leonardo da Vinci, which is renowned for its use of the Golden Ratio in human proportions. The video mentions this work to illustrate how the Golden Ratio has been historically recognized and applied in art.
πŸ’‘Golden Spiral
The Golden Spiral is a logarithmic spiral that grows outward by a factor of the Golden Ratio for every quarter turn it makes. It is derived from the Golden Rectangle and is often found in nature and art. The video explains that this spiral can be seen in famous paintings and is believed to contribute to their aesthetic appeal.
πŸ’‘Rule of Thirds
The Rule of Thirds is a fundamental principle in visual arts where an image is imagined as divided into nine equal parts by two equally-spaced horizontal lines and two equally-spaced vertical lines. The points of intersection are used to place the most important elements in a composition. In the video, it is suggested as a starting point for artists to create balanced and appealing compositions.
πŸ’‘Rule of 5/8
The Rule of 5/8 is a compositional technique derived from the Fibonacci Sequence, where the canvas is divided into sections based on the proportions of 5 and 8. The video explains that this rule can be used to create more complex and engaging compositions by positioning subjects along the resulting lines and shapes.
πŸ’‘Leonardo da Vinci
Leonardo da Vinci was an Italian polymath of the Renaissance known for his paintings, drawings, and diverse interests in science, anatomy, and engineering. In the context of the video, he is mentioned for his illustration of the Vitruvian Man, which exemplifies the use of the Golden Ratio in art.
πŸ’‘Luca Pacioli
Luca Pacioli was an Italian mathematician who wrote a book that Leonardo da Vinci illustrated, introducing the Vitruvian Man. Pacioli's work helped bring the Golden Ratio to the forefront of artistic and mathematical discussions, as mentioned in the video.
πŸ’‘Vermeer's Lady with a Pearl Earring
Vermeer's Lady with a Pearl Earring is a famous 17th-century painting by Johannes Vermeer. The video points out that the Golden Spiral can be seen in this painting, with the spiral leading the viewer's eye to the subject's gaze and enhancing the composition's appeal.
πŸ’‘Mona Lisa
The Mona Lisa, painted by Leonardo da Vinci, is one of the most recognized and studied paintings in the world. The video discusses how the Golden Spiral is present in the painting, drawing attention to the enigmatic smile of the subject.
πŸ’‘The Great Wave
The Great Wave is a reference to the famous woodblock print by the Japanese artist Hokusai. The video mentions this artwork as an example where the Golden Spiral is evident, suggesting it contributes to the dynamic and powerful visual impact of the wave.
Highlights

The golden ratio, approximately 1.618, has been a focus of artists for centuries to enhance the visual appeal of their work.

The concept of the golden ratio was popularized by Fibonacci's sequence, which starts with 1 and follows a pattern of adding the preceding number.

Leonardo da Vinci's illustration of the Vitruvian Man showcased the golden ratio in human anatomy.

The golden ratio is observed in various aspects of nature, including plants and the arrangement of sunflower seeds.

The golden spiral, derived from the golden ratio, is seen in art, music, and even in human DNA.

Visual artists can use the golden rectangle, created by dividing a rectangle by the golden ratio, to enhance their compositions.

The golden spiral can be found in famous artworks like Vermeer's 'Girl with a Pearl Earring' and Da Vinci's 'Mona Lisa'.

Artists can start by dividing their canvas into a tic-tac-toe style grid to apply the rule of thirds.

The rule of five-eighths is another composition technique derived from the Fibonacci sequence.

The golden ratio is not a strict rule but a tool that artists can use to create more visually appealing work.

Anastasia provides tips for beginners on how to start building compositions using the golden ratio.

The golden ratio and its applications are well-documented in mathematical literature and can be further explored online.

Artists can use the golden ratio to guide the viewer's attention and create a more engaging piece.

The golden ratio is found in the proportions of the human body, as illustrated by da Vinci in the Vitruvian Man.

The golden spiral can be used to create dynamic and visually interesting compositions in art.

Anastasia encourages viewers to explore the golden ratio as an additional tool in their artistic toolkit.

The video concludes with an invitation to like, subscribe, and explore more about the golden ratio and its artistic applications.

Transcripts
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