Elements of Art: Space

Elements of Art: Space

​Space

• ​one of the 7 elements of art

• ​DEFINITION: the area in which an artwork is organized. The area within a work of art as well as the area outside or around a work of art.

• There are 2 types of space, positive and negative.​

• ​Artist can create the ILLUSION of space through a variety of techniques.

Fill in the Blank

T/F: SPACE IS A PRINCIPLE OF ART.

​Positive Space

• ​Refers to the main objects in a work of art.

• ​For example, in this painting the main objects are all the people and the gates. The subject of the artwork is considered POSITIVE SPACE.

​Positive Space Cont.

• ​​In sculpture, the sculpture itself is considered POSITIVE SPACE.

• ​For example, this sculpture of a ballerina is the Positive Space because she is the main subject of the artwork.

​Negative Space

• ​Refers to the area in and around the positive space.

• ​You can think of it as the background.

• ​For example, in this artwork the main subject are the people and the white areas are the background or the NEGATIVE SPACE.

​Negative Space Cont.

• ​In sculpture the negative space is the area within and around the artwork.

• ​Take this burger sculpture, the burger is the subject so it is the positive space.

• ​The area around the burger is the NEGATIVE SPACE it is like the background.

Multiple Choice

What is the positive space in this artwork?

• the background

• the horses and the soldiers

• the white areas

• the red horses

Fill in the Blank

T/F: POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE SPACE ARE THE SAME THING.

Multiple Choice

What is the negative space in this artwork?

• the woman dancing

• her dress

• the black background

• there is no negative space

Multiple Choice

What is the positive space in this artwork?

• the trees and the person

• the sky

• the hills

• the mountains

Multiple Choice

What type of space does the burger occupy in the sculpture?

• negative

• positive

• visual

• actual

Techniques artists use to create the ILLUSION of SPACE.​

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​Size

• ​Larger objects appear closer.

• Smaller objects appear farther away.

​Overlapping

• ​Objects that overlap in front appear closer than objects that overlap behind.

​Placement

• ​Objects closer to the horizon line appear farther away.

​Detail

• ​As objects move farther away they lose detail.

​Color

• ​As objects move farther away they lose brightness in color.

• ​Objects that are farther away will appear lighter and dull.

• ​Objects that are closer will appear brighter and more intense.

​Perspective

• ​Creates the illusion of 3D space using a vanishing point, horizon line and converging lines.

• ​A mathematical technique.