Let's talk about the Element of Space
Space, as one of the classic seven elements of art, refers to the distances or areas around, between, and within components of a piece.
Space can be positive or negative, open or closed, shallow or deep, and two-dimensional or three-dimensional.
Space makes up the composition of your work and how you divide the space (arrange your objects/elements) it can make your work more interesting,
Space in a work of art refers to a feeling of depth or three dimensions. It can also refer to the artist's use of the area within the picture plane.
Let us talk about the two ways you can describe Space.
Space can be positive or negative, open or closed, shallow or deep, and two-dimensional or three-dimensional.
Space makes up the composition of your work and how you divide the space (arrange your objects/elements) it can make your work more interesting,
Space in a work of art refers to a feeling of depth or three dimensions. It can also refer to the artist's use of the area within the picture plane.
Let us talk about the two ways you can describe Space.
Space is either:
Positive
Positive space refers the main object/picture in the artwork. It could be a vase of flowers in a still life painting, a person's face in a portrait, or the trees and hills of a landscape.
For example: Look at the sculpture to the right. The positive space is the object, the man. You would say 'the positive space is the man/the bronze sculpture' |
OR
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Negative
Negative space refers to the area around the object/picture. More commonly you call this the background.
For example: Look at the sculpture to the left. The negative space is the area around and inside the cut outs. You can describe it by saying 'the negative space is white' |
The area around the primary objects in a work of art is known as negative space, while the space occupied by the primary objects is known as positive space.
Sometimes artist consider BOTH the positive and negative space in the art.
The above sculpture for example
the artist incorporated negative space through the interaction of the positive space cutouts on the chest.
The above sculpture for example
the artist incorporated negative space through the interaction of the positive space cutouts on the chest.
How to achieve Space in your artwork
There are six ways an artist can create the illusion of space on a 2-Dimensional surface.
Overlapping occurs when objects that are closer to the viewer prevent the view of objects that are behind them.
Color and ValueObjects that are further away are cooler in color temperature, while objects that are closer are warmer. Objects that are further away are lighter in value, while objects that are closer are typically darker in value.
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PlacementObjects placed higher within the picture plane will appear further away.
Perspective
Linear perspective is a drawing method that uses lines to create the illusion of space on a flat surface. There are three types but here are two:
One-point perspective & Two-point perspective |
SizeObjects that are smaller will appear further away from the viewer.
One-point PerspectiveOne point perspective uses one vanishing point to accomplish this illusion.
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DetailObjects that are further away should have less detail than objects that are closer to the viewer.
Two-point PerspectiveTwo point perspective uses two vanishing points to create the illusion of space
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Now to talk about Space in a Landscape
The space in a landscape can be divided into three parts: Foreground, Middle ground, and the background. When we talk about these three parts we are referring to a location/space within the artwork.
Objects in the Foreground are closest to us, largest, and have the most detail. They overlap everything else and the foreground is usually at the bottom of the page.
Objects in the Middleground are a little further away from us, a little smaller, and have less detail. They only overlap the objects/things in the background. This location is usually somewhere in the middle of the page.
Objects in the Background are the furthest away from us, they are the smallest and have little to not detail. They do not overlap anything because they are in the back. The location of the background is usually at the top of the page.
Objects in the Middleground are a little further away from us, a little smaller, and have less detail. They only overlap the objects/things in the background. This location is usually somewhere in the middle of the page.
Objects in the Background are the furthest away from us, they are the smallest and have little to not detail. They do not overlap anything because they are in the back. The location of the background is usually at the top of the page.