Capturing Balance with the Rule of Thirds (Weekly Challenge #180)

This week, the Landscape Art Club takes us to Totara, a peaceful rural area just outside Auckland, New Zealand. Thanks to Ida @walkingnewzealand for sharing these beautiful reference photos full of golden fields, scattered hay bales, and gentle early evening light.

Focus Point: Composition / Rule of Thirds

Our focus point this week is the Rule of Thirds, which a topic we’ve covered a few times before. But your feedback continues to show that while this tool seems simple, it remains one of the most effective and powerful compositional guides for both beginners and experienced artists. So, we’re returning to it again, especially because this week’s photos are perfect for practicing it. With clear focal subjects like hay bales and lone trees set against open fields, these images are ideal for building your confidence with balanced compositions.

If you want a quick refresher before you start, check my post:👉 Rule of Thirds in Art – How to Use It in Landscape Painting

Analyzing This Week’s Reference Photos

Now let’s dive into the reference photos of this week.

Photo 1: Hay Bale in Foreground with Tree Line

Week 180: Totara, Auckland, New Zealand. Photo Credit: @walkingnewzealand

Challenge as a Photo: This photo is a textbook example of the Rule of Thirds: the hay bale dominates the lower-left third, while the treeline and sky share horizontal space.

Focus Questions:

• How can you balance the visual weight of the large hay bale with the distant tree line?

• Would moving the horizon line higher or lower shift the mood?

Tips:

• Use the left vertical third for the hay bale and the top horizontal third for the treetops.

• Try pushing the background trees into a slightly muted palette to let the bale stand out.

Photo 2: Two Bales and a Lone Tree

Week 180: Totara, Auckland, New Zealand. Photo Credit: @walkingnewzealand

Challenge as a Photo: Here, we have clear asymmetry with the bales on the right and a tall, sparse tree on the left third.

Focus Questions:

• Does the diagonal slope enhance the Rule of Thirds or interrupt it?

• Can you exaggerate the height of the lone tree for a storytelling element?

Tips:

• Let the slope guide your brush strokes or pastel marks to enhance direction.

• Highlight the tension between the grounded bales and the tall, airy tree.

Photo 3: Close Bale with Dramatic Light

Week 180: Totara, Auckland, New Zealand. Photo Credit: @walkingnewzealand

Challenge as a Photo: The bale glows with soft, late-day light. Positioned off-center, it naturally follows the Rule of Thirds.

Focus Questions:

• How can you use lighting to define the subject and space?

• Should you highlight the background trees, or keep them subtle?

Tips:

• Place the bale at a power point and keep your highlights warm.

• Let light and shadow define form rather than contour lines.

Photo 4: Wide Field with Trees on the Horizon

Week 180: Totara, Auckland, New Zealand. Photo Credit: @walkingnewzealand

Challenge as a Photo: This is the most minimal photo of the four. It offers a perfect opportunity to play with placement and open space.

Focus Questions:

• Can you shift the elements to test different focal balances?

• What mood does the high or low horizon line convey?

Tips:

• Use negative space as a storytelling device.

• Try an underpainting or block-in to establish thirds before detailing.

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The Rule of Thirds offers more than just structure, it invites intentionality. It teaches us to make choices with composition, to lead the viewer’s eye, and to find harmony between subject and space.

Let these golden New Zealand fields inspire a quiet, thoughtful piece. Take a moment to reflect on how simple placement can transform your work.

Happy painting!