Rule of Thirds Composition Art Project for Kids • Kids Activities Blog

School-aged kids will learn about composition by using the rule of thirds in their artwork in this fun project. We’ve included a free printable to make this lesson easy for home or classroom use.

Composition

“Composition is the placement or arrangement of visual elements or ingredients in a work of art.”

– Kiddle –

In today’s project, kids will create art using the Rule of Thirds for their focal point. To apply the Rule of Thirds, artists first divide their artwork into 9 equal sections. They then place their point of interest along one of the four corners of the innermost section. This project easily demonstrates one of the many composition styles used by artists throughout the years.

Related: Use the same paper folding methods to practice L Composition.

Supplies Needed to Make Rule of Thirds Composition Art Project

• Free Printable Gnomes (Download Below) – Printed on Cardstock
• Blank Cardstock
• Scissors
• Stick Glue
• Pencil
• Permanent Marker
• Coloring Medium of Choice – Crayons, Colored Pencils, Markers, etc.

Download the Gnome Printable Here

This free printable jumpstarts kids’ creativity by giving them a main character for the focal point of their artwork. Kids simply choose a gnome and create a scene around it.

Directions to Make this Rule of Thirds Composition Art Project

Step 1

Holding the paper horizontally, fold it into thirds. To easily create three sections, first fold the right side of the page over until the flap you’ve created and the remaining portion of the page are equally sized. Crease and unfold.

Step 2

Next, fold the left side of the page over to the crease line created in step 1. Crease and Unfold. Paper should be now be divided into 3 even sections.

Step 3

Rotate paper to a vertical position and fold into three sections. Again, fold over the right side of the page until the flap you’ve created and the remaining portion of the page are equally sized. Crease and unfold.

Step 4

Then, fold the left side of the page over to the crease line created in step 3. Crease and Unfold. Paper should be now be divided into 9 even sections.

Step 5

Kids then choose a gnome from the template to use in their project. Color and cut from cardstock.

Step 6

Kids look at the center rectangle on their creased paper. They need to then place their gnome cut-out on one of these four corners. This is placing their gnome into a rule of thirds composition position.

Next, kids lightly sketch a scene around their gnome. Tip: Encourage kids to refrain from adding many more details to the sketch or this can alter the focal point away from the gnome and rule of thirds composition. Designs need to center around that same corner where gnome cut-out is placed.

Step 7

Use a permanent marker to trace final sketch and erase unwanted pencil lines.

Step 8

Then, use crayons, colored pencils, or markers to color drawing.

Step 9

Finally, glue gnome onto cardstock and add finishing details.

Finished Rule of Thirds Composition Art Project

These cute little gnome scenes are so fun and easy to make! Since these projects are made on paper, they can easily be framed, clipped, or displayed in your preferred style. 

Our Experience Making this rule of thirds composition Art Project

I think the gnome images are adorable and I love all of the different scenes kids manage to create using them. This project challenged us to leave a lot of extra or “wasted” space in our drawings. Often times, we want to fill in large empty spaces, but I feel it’s important to keep them blank in this project to further demonstrate the composition lesson.

Rule of Thirds Composition Art Variations

• Skip the printable and have kids fully create their own designs.
• Use a ruler and faint guidelines to avoid making creases in paper.
• Complete project using watercolor or acrylic paints.

Other Fun Composition Art Projects from Kids Activities Blog

Did your kids enjoy learning about the Rule of Thirds? What scene did they create for their gnome?