The Fibonacci Sequence is a numerical convention that can be translated into many forms. It has been used in mathematics, architecture, poetry, music, art, and even as a system for predicting the growth of the stock market. It was developed by man named Leonardo of Pisa. Leonardo called himself Fibonacci which is a derivation from a Latin phrase "filius Bonacci" or "son of Bonacci." Even though he was originally from Italy, Fibonacci was educated in Bougia, North Africa and learned the "Hindu-Arabic" mathematical system from Moorish teachers. He saw advantages to this system and was one of the individuals responsible for introducing it into Europe.

The system, when applied to a composition can dictate placement of elements in the artwork. This results in elements that have a sort of 1/3 to 2/3 ratio making the composition more interesting. The true ratio is actually 1:1.618034. This is also called the Golden Mean and was used by the Ancient Greeks in the design of their architecture.

The composition that I have illustrated above, shows the Sequence applied in a spiral pattern. Starting with 1 x 1 square (yellow), above a 1 x 1 square (white), then bounded by a 2 x 2 square, then a 3 x 3 square, a 5 x 5 square, etc... spiraling outward from center. The abstracted figure is applied to composition. The system can also be used by dividing a rectangle by the Sequence's inverse, or .618034. This ends up being something akin to the 1/3 to 2/3 ration which I mentioned above.

Artists who used the Fibonacci Sequence in their works include Leonardo da Vinci, Albrecht Durer, Piet Mondrian, and Michelangelo. If you dissect a work like Perugino's Madonna Enthroned with Child and the Saints John the Baptist and Sebastian , you will notice that the saints are set into rectangles which reflect a .618034 ratio of the total width of the work, measuring from each side inward.

Hint: When designing a drawing, divide up the paper into sections based on this principle, then place your subjects into these divisions. Don't follow the lines so exactly that they are evident, but allow for some natural flow to extend beyond the boundaries that you have drawn. You'll find this effective in making your drawings more interesting.

updated 07/12/04