Space, as used in art, refers to the distance or area between, around, above, below, or within shapes and forms found within a composition. In this discussion, we will be taking a closer look at several different ways space is used in art. These are: Show
Positive and Negative SpaceThere are two types of space in art: positive and negative. Both positive and negative space are important factors to be considered in every good composition. They occur in both two-dimension and three-dimension art and are complementary to one another. One impacts on and affects the reading of the other. Positive SpaceThe “occupied” areas in a work of art filled with lines, colors, and shapes are called “positive space.” In other words, the primary subject matter of a painting; the animals, plants, buildings, mountains, vases, people, etc., that make up your area of interest. It usually dominates the eye and is the focal point in a composition.In the example, positive space (the area in black) is the form itself, i.e., the vase, the individual letters, or the words “positive space.” Negative SpaceOn the other hand, “negative space” is the unoccupied areas that surround the subject matter. It is more passive and is determined by the edges of the positive space it surrounds. Negative space helps to give meaning to the composition.In the example, it’s the “empty space” (the area in black) or unoccupied areas that lies between objects, shapes, and forms within a composition, and is also the space in the background that is not at first noticeable. It goes in all directions and goes on forever. It flows in, around, and between shapes and objects. Do you see the shapes in negative space? Negative space has weight and mass and plays a vital role in defining your subject. It is not simply the absence of something. Negative space is most evident when the space around a subject matter, and not the form itself, forms an interesting or artistically relevant shape. In this case, negative space is very much an essential element of artistic composition. In the example above, the negative space forms a shape of two men face to face. Also, negative space is vital in a composition because it gives balance to positive space by giving the eye a place to rest, especially when the composition is quite busy. Two- and Three-dimensional SpaceTwo-dimensional (2D) space is found on a flat surface such as a canvas or paper. It has no depth, only length and width. It consists of straight or curved lines or both and may have any number of sides. In the example, the two-dimensional image appears flat because all the objects and forms lie on the same plane. It has no feeling of depth. However, the same two-dimensional space can be made to appear three-dimensional by giving it a sense of depth. Three-dimensional (3D) space has width, height, and depth. When we look at a flat canvas and have the sensation of looking at spaces and objects that appear to have depth, we are receiving and believing a group of visual signals working to create the illusion of three-dimensional shapes and areas. This occurs when a sensation of space that seems to have height, width, and depth is visually created, as it has been done with the vase in the example shown.These three-dimensional signals are so common in nature that we are almost unaware of them. Yet, in the hands of a skilled artist, these 3D cues can be used to create the illusion of three-dimension on a flat canvas surface. Creating 3D Space on a Flat SurfaceThe tools needed for creating the illusion of three-dimensional space are:
Overlapping objects within your composition is the most straightforward tool you can use for creating three-dimensional space in your painting or drawing. The effect is achieved by allowing the contour of one form to be interrupted by the contour of another form so that it looks like one form is physically sitting in front of the other. Another simple tool for creating the illusion of 3D space is changing the size and placement of related objects. For example, when two shapes are the same size and are placed on the same plane, the image appears relatively flat and does not have much depth. However, by simply varying the size and placement of the shapes, a stronger sensation of depth is created. As a rule of thumb, larger objects tend to appear closer to the viewer, and smaller ones tend to recede into the background. Also, objects placed lower on the canvas appear closer in distance than those set higher up. Linear perspective (a.k.a. converging lines) is a graphical system used by artists to create the illusion of depth and volume on a flat surface. As objects move away from the viewer, they appear to grow smaller and converge toward a vanishing point at the horizon line. The effective use of linear perspective creates this illusion of diminishing size by treating the edges as converging parallel lines. The vanishing point may be in any direction the viewer looks, including up, and may also be visible (on the canvas) or imaginary (somewhere off the canvas). Using relative hue and value to create 3D space on a flat canvas surface are essential cues that tell us whether an object is nearby or far away. In general, warm colors or hues tend to appear closer, whereas cool shades tend to recede away from the viewer. On the same token, close objects tend to exhibit brighter, richer hues and more contrasting values, including extremes of dark and light. However, distant objects tend to be either similar or neutral in value and exhibit grayer shades. Thus, colors close in value are perceived as being on or near the same plane, but colors with strong contrast in value appear on separate planes. Atmospheric perspectivecombines several tools already described above. This essential tool operates when objects that are far away lack contrast, detail, and texture. As objects get farther away, atmospheric perspective shows color gradually fading to a bluish-gray and details blurring, imitating how distant objects appear to the human eye. As a rule of thumb, when using this tool, remember that colors tend to pale and fade as they recede into the distance, and objects become less defined and lack detail. Deep Space In ArtWhen used effectively, all the tools needed to cultivate the illusion of three-dimensional space will create a sense of “deep space” within your painting. In deep space there are three terms used to describe depth:
RecapSince a flat surface such as a canvas contains only two-dimensional space, an artist may choose to create a three-dimensional illusion. When an artist begins to cut, divide and rearrange the surface space of a flat surface, the illusion of depth may appear. Even the slightest manipulation of line, value, or color will generate the illusion of three-dimensional space. There are several ways to create the illusion of distance or depth on a flat surface. Here are some of those ways:
Click for more information about perspective in drawing. Examples of the effective use of SpacePositive and Negative SpaceThe flat back shadows and background in the painting on the left provide an excellent example of the effective use of positive and negative space in this two-dimensional painting. The painting on the right demonstrates positive and negative space in a three-dimensional painting. Can you see the positive and negative here? The fish occupies the positive space, and the water represents the negative space around the fish. Overlapping ObjectsOverlapping objects is a helpful tool for creating an illusion of 3D. Depending on how it is applied can give a sense of deep or shallow space within a composition. For example, the Statue of Liberty overlaps the river and the horizon, which helps create a greater sense of depth than the other painting. In the painting with the statue, we get the sensation of deep space, and in the other painting, the space is shallow. Changing Size and PlacementChanging the size and placement of the objects in these two paintings helps give more depth to the painting. For example, changing the size of the Indians makes them appear far away in the painting with the cowboy. Likewise, placing the ballerinas are on a higher plane than those in the front pushes them farther away into the background. Linear PerspectiveCan you see how perspective has given the paintings above a sense of depth? The three paintings above have powerful one- or two-point perspective, which helps create the illusion of three-dimension. In the first painting, perspective gives the sensation that the train is moving away, yet it pulls you down the hallway in the next painting. Perspective can also make objects appear 3D as it does in the painting with the building. The artist has used two-point perspective to create an object that seems to have volume. Without two-point perspective, this building would lack depth and appear flat. Hue and ValueWarm colors pull you up close. Cool colors recede off into the distance. The landscape painting is a good example of this tool in use. In the second painting, light moves toward you, and darkness moves off into the background. Atmospheric PerspectiveAs objects move off into the distance, they become less detailed and grayer. For example, notice the horizon and the mountain in these two paintings. For more information about atmospheric perspective, see Creating Depth in Your Paintings via Atmospheric Perspective. Deep SpaceWhen used effectively, all the tools (overlapping, perspective, atmosphere, hue, and value) can create the sensation of deep space. Questions
Your Next Art LessonIf you enjoyed this lesson, be sure to check out another one in this series. Good Design Principle: An Introduction Good Design Principle: Balance Good Design Principle: Contrast Good Design Principle: Emphasis Good Design Principle: Movement Good Design Principle: Proportion Good Design Principle: Space — You are here Good Design Principle: Visual Economy Good Design Principle: Unity More Art LessonsBasic Elements of Art, The Basic Art Element — Color, Part 1 Basic Art Element — Color, Part 2 Basic Art Element — Line Basic Art Element — Space Basic Art Element — Texture Basic Art Element — Value Have a question?If you have a question about this painting, please contact us, and we’ll be happy to answer any of your questions. Thanks for reading this art lesson!Feel free to share this with your friends. UPDATED: 24 July 2021 Enjoy this page? Please share it. Thanks! Which element includes the area around above and within an artwork?In terms of art, space is the area around, above, and within an object.
What element of art considers the distance or area between around above/below or within the subject S or an artwork?Space- Space is any area an artist creates for a specific purpose. Space can be positive or negative. Positive space is an area occupied by an object or form. Negative space is the area that runs between, through, and around or within objects.
What element of art focuses on the distance area around between and within the artwork?Space is a basic art element that refers to the distance between the area around and within shapes, forms, colors, and lines.
Which element of Arts refers to the distance?(noun) - An element of art, space refers to distances or areas around, between or within components of a piece. Space can be positive (white or light) or negative(black or dark), open or closed, shallow or deep and two-dimensional or three-dimensional.
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