The Utilization of Negative Space in Improving Your Drawings
The Utilization of Negative Space in Improving Your Drawings
Negative space is that part of an image defined by the area surrounding and between the subjects of a drawing. It may look like vacant space, but in art and design, it actually plays an important role in defining shapes, creating balance, and heightening the overall effect of the composition of your drawing. Knowing how to effectively make use of negative space and applying this knowledge in the work that you produce as an artist will enable you to create better drawings that heighten the visually impactful effect of the artwork.
What is Negative Space?
Negative space refers to the space or region around the subject in a drawing. Thus, while the subject is positive space, the negative spaces are just as integral to depicting the context that surrounds and holds it together. For example, while the tree itself may be positive space in a drawing, the negative spaces comprise the void created by areas like the sky and ground.
Enhancing Composition
One of the most significant benefits of using negative space is its capability to compose a drawing. An artist will take better into consideration how positive and negative spaces are in regard with one another to establish a unified look and feel of harmony and balance. For instance, through an admirably accurate placing of negative space, it may lead the eye from the subject or the focal point of the piece toward reaching the end: to point to the subject. This technique is particularly potent when employed within minimalist composition, that often presents the force of the things pictured as well by the lack of the missing space.
Adding Third Dimension
Negative space can also be used to create the illusion of depth and dimension. In using differing sizes and shapes of negative space, artists will find a way to suggest relationships between foreground and background, making a drawing more three-dimensional. It invites one to look at the artwork more deeply, engaging in the visual experience.
Negative Space to Simplify Complex Subjects
On more complex themes, for instance, numerous cityscapes or flower compositions combined in intricate composition, negative space clarifies the overall composition. Through the use of negative space, artists are then able to isolate subject elements and capture a cleaner image. In addition, it leads to an efficient way of not having "information overload" but rather forcing the viewer to appreciate beauty through forms and shapes within the piece.
Exercise: How to Create Negative Space Observations: Begin by paying close attention to your subject. Think about focusing past the object; you are going to be looking at shapes of the negative. This will help you better see and use negative space in your drawings.
Sketching: Use your pencil to start sketching out the negative spaces. This way, you will then be able to ensure that you have an outline of the overall composition without getting muddled by the details of the positive space.
Contrast: Use contrasting colors or basic shading techniques to differentiate between positive and negative spaces. The contrast emphasizes the subject and makes the overall composition much more lively.
Experimentation: Try setting up different compositions. Move the position and size of negative space to appreciate the effect on the overall balance of your drawing.
Conclusion
Negative space in drawing is the best tool that can dramatically make your art piece enrich and aesthetically beautiful. With thoughtful consideration about the relationship of positive and negative space, artists may create more striking and engaging compositions. Whether it's the first time you're sketching or it's a hundredth time, embracing the space will suddenly open up the horizons for your drawings and will invite a viewer closer to partake in and connect even more with your work. The next time you sit down to draw, take just a little bit of time to explore the space around your subject-just may make the making of your most vibrant work yet.
The Utilization of Negative Space in Improving Your Drawings
