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3.1.3: Space

  • Page ID
    257190
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    Space is the area in or around objects. In 2D art and design, we are trying to create the illusion of space on a flat surface since there is no actual physical space, we are constructing in. There are a few important considerations and aspects of space. The first is the positive/ negative space relationship.

    Positive space is the area that the object takes up. It is the volume that the object you create fills. In contrast, negative space is the empty space around the object. The relationship between these two can create interesting visual tension as the viewer moves around and interacts with the object. Typically, darker shapes are seen as negative space shapes and lighter as viewed as positive.

    There are cues that can add to the illusion of depth in an artwork. These cues include overlapping, size, and detail (texture), diminishing size, placement, perspective and

    A drawing of a geometric design
    Figure 3.12: Drawing by David Brooks.13 (13: Drawing by David Brooks is used with permission.)

    This composition uses line shape, and form with spatial depth cues of overlapping, diminishing size, and size relationships.

    Use the following squares to recreate the positive and negative spaces in and around the objects

    Original Recreation
    An image of two faces in white, or, when inverted, a black chalice14  
    A sketch drawing of a chair15  
    A close-up drawing of a butterfly wing16  
    1. Head Vase Illusion by Open Clip Art is in the public domain.
    2. Chair by Melissa Robison is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0.
    3. Butterfly by PickPik is in the public domain.
    A drawing of a glass, leaf, stick, and pinecone
    Figure 3.13: Drawing by David Brooks.17 (17: Drawing by David Brooks is used with permission.)

    This page titled 3.1.3: Space is shared under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by David Brooks (California Consortium for Equitable Change in Hispanic Serving Institutions Open Educational Resources (CC ECHO)) via source content that was edited to the style and standards of the LibreTexts platform.

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