A general rule of thumb is that images should be presented in uneven numbers, but that's not necessary true. The fact is we artists are composers and there are many ways to compose. One of these is by making use of the rabatment of a rectangle for placing images when our subject calls for only two. Andrew Wyeth did this in his painting, The Kuerners.
Andrew Wyeth "The Kuerners" Egg Tempera
On the long side of every rectangle there is an implied square made of the height of the rectangle and extending the same measure along the longer side. The imagined line dividing that square is the rabatment of the rectangle.
Let's try a similar composing idea using this photo of my nephews.
We'll crop it using the rabatment principle.
Now it feels both balanced and has a better arrangement of space.
Tip: Placing the principle theme of action within the square of a rabatment and the supporting theme in the rectangle, we can give a composition both balance and a dynamic use of space.
Happy painting,
Dianne
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