Creative Aquascape Union

Talking about Aquascape: Focus and Golden Rule

Written by Harry Kwong

2006/02/18

In actuality, aquascaping is a very personal thing. The aesthetics in it can also be very objective. However, over the course of millennia men have created and compiled a wealth of knowledge regarding aesthetic (this is of course based on the Western perception of beauty). There are two points which I find very helpful from this philosophy.

1) Layout focal point

The idea of focus is one that is prevalent throughout the fields of art. It serves as the main point that the creator often hopes to convey. A great design only has one focal point. Everything else is secondary. Too many focal points will cause a great difficulty in proper observation, and incidentally will make it impossible to grasp the message of the art work. In aquascaping, focus can be created by using wood, rock, and even color. The form of the layout, the shape of the plants, the size of those plants and ratio, all contribute to the conveyance of focus.
Therefore prior to aquascaping, I would try to figure just theme I want my layout to have. The theme must be realized, before its required materials can be gathered. If you plan at the same time as you gather the materials, the end product will often turn out to be less than desired. An experienced aquascaper would figure out what the layout will look like before and after its set up. There are even some who would make detailed drawings of their works before their layouts. That’s why; don’t look at some aquascapers who might not appear to be serious because a lot of times they already have figured out everything they needed to do before they start. Talent and experience enable those people to do at will what they desire when it comes to aquascaping. Often, many people would pour all of their ideas into one tank, with the consequence of creating a very convoluted layout.
Many people often put in all of their ideas into one tank and in this way convolutes the whole layout to the point where there is no longer a main theme to follow.

Golden ratio

The Golden Ratio is an ancient form of mathematic. It possesses an enchanting quality that cannot be easily explained even by today’s technologies and mathematical theories. The purpose of Golden Ratio is one that seeks the ultimate proportionality of aesthetic.

In aquatic tank layout, composition is the one determining factor. Composition is a term coined for the purpose of artistic perception. In presenting the theme of the layout as well as its beauty, a given space topped with rocks, woods, and/or plants as well as their relative positions in the tank, all contribute to making the tank as a whole entirety.

Golden Ratio is a type of technique employed in creative arts. Basically, it divides a line into two. For instance, in dividing the line AB, lines AC and CB are formed. The ratio of AC and AB equals to the ratio of CB and AC. In calculating the mathematics, the resulting ratio would become 1.618 to 1 or 1 to 0.618.
People would of course be confused by all these numbers. Must one use a calculator to create a layout? In actuality, this concept is used only approximately. For instance, 2 to 3, 3 to 5, 5 to 8, 8 to 13, or 13 to 21, etc…

Long ago, a similar concept already took place in China. It was called “The Nine Square Rule”. It bears a surprising resemblance to the Golden Ratio. Using four lines to form a box that consists of nine squares, one can approximate something that is close to the Golden Ratio.
People have discovered that at the cross points where these four lines meet are where the visual perceptions are the most acute. In photography, these four points are called ‘interesting point’.

In aquascaping, we can try to place the focus on any of these four interesting points. Some people don’t even think about this concept, however, they are still able to create beautiful layouts. This may be due to their innate ability in visual perception. A person would pick a place and put something there. Once he feels it looks ‘right’, a Golden Ratio has been observed. Don’t believe me? You can try it yourself. Still others keep on trying to no avail. No matter where they place the objects, it still doesn’t look right, thus no Golden Ratio is accomplished. Is it hard to believe? You can try again, by drawing your own ‘Nine Square Rule’.

Using the Nine Square Rule and see where the focus is located.

The amazing influence of the Nine Square Rule is evident even in the midst of very packed layouts.

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Comments (1)

1. Written by xarg0n, on 19-07-2010 06:18
Thank you bro, for sharing the ancient rules of basic creativity....though these days all these are no more spoken or thought perhaps by most of the people around us, but these are basics of art followed from very ancient time, and over time as art has improved itself these basics are still in use under different names in different places....its just people dont know the origins. Like as you know for sure , rule of thirds in photography, which is nothing but the 9 sqare rule..