Positive /Negative Space in Art Lesson

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KR/2021

How shapes are arranged in art work creates a sense of space.

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The subject of the art work is always the positive space.

In both of these pictures, the cats are the subject.

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The cats are the positive space

the WHITE is the negative space

The cats are the positive space

the BLACK is the negative space

Here’s a great video all about positive and negative space!

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Fun fact:

Illusions can be made by playing with

positive & negative space:

Is this a vase, or two faces?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0EJJuQjA04

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Quick Check for Understanding:

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True or False: The subject of the art work is always the positive space?

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Why do artists want you to know about positive & negative space?

1. They want you to stop, look & think about what you're seeing.
2. They want you to sharpen your powers of observation.
3. They want you to have different ways to talk about & understand art work?
4. ALL OF THE ABOVE :-)

PROJECT: Make a Notan positive/negative paper design

Supplies needed:

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• pencil

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• glue stick or tape

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• scissors (or tear your designs)

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• 2 pieces of paper, different colors
• 1 small paper (size of your hand)

in one color

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• 1 large (size of binder paper)

in a different color

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Supplies needed (continued):

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brown paper bag

binder paper

construction paper

newspaper - look for a page with mostly text

magazine page - use a page that is mostly one color

color your own

Any of these papers will work great for your project:

On your small paper, use a pencil to draw simple shapes on all 4 sides. They can be curvy, or geometric, but SIMPLE. Make sure your shapes start and stop on the same edge of the paper. Don’t cross over the middle.

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Cut out the shapes, and put them off to the side.

DON’T throw them away!

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Directions:

1.

2.

Directions:

Set your small paper in the middle of your large paper - don’t glue yet!

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Take the pieces you have cut out and place them back in the spaces you’ve cut them from.

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4.

Directions:

Flip over the cut pieces, and you’ve got your design.

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5.

6.

Glue everything in place!

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Source: ArtJohn / YouTube

Make cut outs within cut outs

Create a scene

instead of abstract shapes

Use a non-square base shape

Challenges for older students:

Samples for inspiration!

But as the artist, you are in charge!

When you are finished, take a photo of your Notan Masterpiece!

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Please share it with Art Discovery, by emailing

Karin.Rivera@evergreenPS.org or

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posting to Art Discovery Facebook https://www.facebook.com/EvergreenArtDiscovery

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Please include your name, grade & school :-)

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