Post 181: Composition 16. Use Negative Space Around Objects

Composition: Use Negative Space Around Objects

This is Part 16 of my series on Composition

How do you use the area around your subject? Do you fill the whole canvas, the whole photo, the entire piece of paper up with 'stuff'? You don't have to. Sometimes it makes for a more impactful canvas, photo or paper when you leave stuff off.

Positive Space

Positive space is the subject matter of the painting, drawing or photograph. Positive space, also referred to as the active or activated space, is what the artist wants you to notice first. It is usually what the artwork is about, but how the artist frames that subject can be the negative space.

Negative Space

Also called "white space", negative space doesn't have to be the color white in an art piece. It is the 'blank area', in the photo or painting that can truly make the subject pop out because of the contrast, the simpleness of the area around the active space. With good use of negative space, the artwork may look too busy or be overwhelming to the viewer.

 

 

Photo by History in HD on Unsplash  

Quite literally, negative space

 

Negative space can add the feeling of vastness, emptiness, stillness or even loneliness as in this picture below.

 

 

Photo by Majestic Lukas on Unsplash

Less is more quite often in artwork. There is less distraction, there can be better balance and when done very well, make your artwork much more impactful.

 

For further reading: 

What is Negative Space - Definition, Examples in Art & Film by Kyle Deguzman

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This is part of a series of blog posts on the guidelines, or rules of composition. Look for all of them in the Search this Blog feature at the top right by searching for the word "composition". I hope you enjoy the posts!

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Local Art: Visit us at Stonebridge Open Space Arts at 15000 Potomac Town Center, Woodbridge, VA - Open Wed to Sat 12-7 and Sun 12-5 – it’s free to see the artwork! Want to join PWAS? Go to https://www.princewilliamartsociety.com/membership

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Author: Donna Liguria
An artist member of PWAS in Woodbridge, VA specializing in acrylic painting. She paints landscapes, seascapes, animals and many subjects. Visit her Website at https://DonnaLiguriaArt.com & her Blog at https://donnascavepainting.blogspot.com/.