The 'Rule of Thirds' and the 'Golden Mean' are quick and simple ways to get a pleasing composition established. However there are no rules in design or a guarantee that using the rule of thirds will work. Everything is relative. When we paint something, we are introducing many more variables into the mix - darks, lights, values, colors, saturation, line, and so on. All of these impact the design and can help or hurt. Understanding the Art2life Principles will allow you to improve and create strong design in any kind of art, without thinking you need to rely on a trick or “rule” such as the rule of thirds.