Lesson 10: Negative and Positive Space

Class# 10: Negative and Positive Space            Oct. 20-23, 2014                

Materials needed:  ?Strathmore Sketchbook Pad (9 x 12)?Drawing pencils ?Pencil sharpener?Sanford kneaded erasers

What is negative and positive space and why is it important to art?  In today’s class, we will be learning about negative and positive space, how it applies to artwork and you will be doing some drawing exercises that will help you to understand it.

But first let’s define the word “Contrast”.?Contrast is a principle of art that refers to the arrangement of opposite elements (light vs. dark colors, rough vs. smooth textures, large vs. small shapes, etc.) in a piece of art so as to create visual interest, excitement and drama.

Here are some examples of art with contrast:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/archive/2/21/20050526200945!Adams_The_?Tetons_and_the_Snake_River.jpg

http://www.howardhallis.com/drstrange/originalart/frankbrunner.jpg

http://static.colourlovers.com/uploads/2007/09/the-great-wave-by-hokusai.jpg

http://render.fineartamerica.com/images/images-stretched-canvas-search/15.00/15.00/black/break/images-medium/zen-circle-wave-peter-cutler.jpg

Negative space, in art, is the space around and between the subject(s) of an image. Negative space may be most evident when the space around a subject, and not the subject itself, forms an interesting or artistically relevant shape, and such space is occasionally used to artistic effect as the "real" subject of an image. The use of negative space is a key element of artistic composition.??Although negative space is everywhere, it is most clearly visible when you look at black and white images.??Such images have strong contrast.  

Usage of negative space will produce a silhouette of the subject.  The use of equal negative space, as a balance to positive space, in a composition is considered by many as good design. This basic and often overlooked principle of design gives the eye a "place to rest," increasing the appeal of a composition through subtle means.

One famous image that demonstrates the idea of negative space is the image on the link below:??http://negativespacegames.com/images/rubin_vase.gif

What do you see???Two faces looking at each other???If you focus your eyes upon the white shape in between the two back shapes you may see a shape that looks like a cup.  This shape is made by the negative space in the image.??If you look at the link below you can see how the artist came up with the negative space in this image:??http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b5/Rubin2.jpg

Many artist use negative space in their artwork.  One example of a famous artist who uses strong contrast and negative space in her artwork is Kara Walker.  Here are some links to her work:

http://media.walkerart.org/6557480.jpg??http://blog.lib.umn.edu/peza0001/arts1001wednesdays/walker_you_do.jpg??http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2yd8R7brqrs/TUsXYIZg8KI/AAAAAAAAABY/D3lQtQe9Srk/s1600/I?mage+1.jpg??http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bZkLYgkZiTw/S87X9jv0rI/AAAAAAAAAL8/e7JMjByMYYQ/s1600/K?araWalker3.jpg

Now it is time for you to try drawing negative space.  Your instructor will be emailing you two images.  On each image, you must draw the negative space (the area that is not black) in the picture. 

1.           Take out your sketchbook

2.           Each drawing should fill 1 page

3.           Begin drawing the space around the black part of the image

4.           Fill in all the white space of the image you see. 

After you have completed your two drawings, sign and date them.

Now it is time for you to try seeing negative space around you.  To do this you are going to need to  gather several objects together.  This might include anything like a few coconuts, a spear gun, a soda can, a pair of zorries and some leaves. 

Now, you need to arrange the object you have gathered together so that they are close together.  What you are making is called a still life.

Once you have your objects (at least 3 things) set up, you need to start drawing the space around the objects.  That means, rather than drawing the coconut, the leaves and everything you are only going to draw the space around them.  Here are some examples of the kind of drawings that you need to do:

http://www.learn-to-draw-lessons.com/images/space-donandblue.gif??http://todayinart.com/files/2009/12/negative-space-drawing-exercise.jpg??http://kaitsolan.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/glasses02.jpg?w=500&h=600

Try doing at least 3 negative space drawings, each one from a different angle.

Each of your five drawings should be on a separate piece of paper. After you have done your five drawings, scan your work and upload it onto your Flickr page.

 In the Flickr “Description” panel be sure to include what kind of composition you used for your drawings.  Any work that has not been uploaded by the evening of Oct. 23, will be marked down one letter grade for each week day it is late.

This concludes the tenth class for AR101.  If you have any questions regarding the material or assignment please email your instructor at art101@comfsm.fm