How do you apply the golden ratio to paintings?

Question

How do you apply the golden ratio to paintings?

Answer 1

The "golden ratio" is 1:3 in both horizontal and vertical planes. Another term is the "rule of thirds". Each painting or drawing has a center of interest, what the picture is about, but it should not be in the center of the picture.

A simple way to describe the golden ratio is to draw lines from each corner of the canvas or paper to the opposite corners, making an X in the middle. Then make a mark in the middle of each of the 4 arms of the X. Those 4 marks describe the golden ratio.

The golden ratio or rule of thirds dominate not only visual arts and architecture but interestingly, music as well. Threes are far more interesting than twos or fours.

Answer 2

In the most basic way, it's applied to the ratio of the sides.  You could also apply it to the composition of the painting.  For instance, if it's a landscape, where you place the horizon or another feature of the composition.