Space / Positive Space / Negative Space
Along with line, shape, and form, three other elements of art are space, color and texture. Space is the area around, between, and within the objects in a composition. In two-dimensional art, space is sometimes described as either positive or negative. Negative space is the background of a picture or the area behind objects, while positive space is the foreground, or objects and figures. This helps two-dimensional artists create the appearance of depth in a picture.
Fig 3.2. Altamura Painter, Red-figure Kalyx (c. 470-460 BCE).
Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
In the image above, the children are defined by negative space (black), which leaves an outline of the kids making a heart shape in the positive space (white). This places the children in the foreground of the picture and allows our mind to visualize the children making a heart. Ancient Greeks used this technique in red-figure pottery (figure 3.2). The figures of the two men stand out against the black background (negative space) of the vase
Fig 3.3. Color and Space.
Image courtesy of Daniel B. Chapman.
There are several techniques that can create space and depth, including overlapping (objects in front appear closer than objects that are partially covered, or behind), changing size (larger objects are perceived as being closer than smaller objects), and adding details to closer objects (focus). The placement of objects also creates depth; objects that are lower in the picture appear closer than those that are higher up. Color can also be used to create space.
In figure 3.3, color is used to create space and focus. The color provides the information about the negative and positive space and allows the viewer to recognize the image of an airplane. By comparison, the left half of the picture shows the same image without color. Notice how much harder it is to see the airplane when the color is removed.
