What is negative or positive space? In a recent thread, it was asked about negitive space. Heres my input. Interesting how we all see a composition differently. As an artist I see it...

canon Lee

In a recent thread, it was asked about negitive space. Heres my input. Interesting how we all see a composition differently. As an artist I see it as what is positive space. To me its a choice of choosing negative or positive space deliberately in order to lead the eye of the viewer to the subject. Below is one of my paintings, that uses the shadows as the subject. One might think that shadows are empty spaces and would call them negative spaces. Its the empty spaces that defines the subject.
Well to confuse the subject even more, the eye can switch negative space to positive space, in that emptiness can create form, as in M.C. Eschers work, or the batman logo. The eye is a very tricky thing>

Darkroom317 Loc: Mishawaka, IN

In my painting and design classes we often referred to it as figure/ ground rather than positive/ negative space.

canon Lee

Darkroom317 wrote:

In my painting and design classes we often referred to it as figure/ ground rather than positive/ negative space.

Its just a matter of semantics.

Darkroom317 Loc: Mishawaka, IN

canon Lee wrote:

Its just a matter of semantics.

It is but it positive/ negative can carry connotations as to what is important or not as you pointed out when talking about shadows. It changes the notion of hierarchy of the elements

Darkroom317 Loc: Mishawaka, IN

Figure/ ground is a also an important principle in the Gestalt theory of design

http://www.creativebloq.com/graphic-design/gestalt-theory-10134960

http://facweb.cs.depaul.edu/sgrais/gestalt_principles.htm

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

Darkroom317 wrote:

Figure/ ground is a also an important principle in the Gestalt theory of design

http://www.creativebloq.com/graphic-design/gestalt-theory-10134960

http://facweb.cs.depaul.edu/sgrais/gestalt_principles.htm

Good grief, Fritz Perl’s gets blamed for everything.🙃🤣🤨

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

canon Lee wrote:

Its just a matter of semantics.

It's not a matter of semantics.....
Positive space is the subject, everything else is negative space, whether it's empty or not!!!
SS

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

SharpShooter wrote:

It's not a matter of semantics.....
Positive space is the subject, everything else is negative space, whether it's empty or not!!!
SS

By “empty” do you mean to say “effective”?

Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Another famous flip/flop is the vase/two faces: in one instance you can see two human profiles looking at each other; in the next your brain flips to see a vase in the center of the frame.

A point brought up in my topic mentioned how sculptures use negative space differently also. One article:
https://www.quora.com/What-is-negative-space-in-sculpture-What-are-some-examples

And yes, we surely do all see things differently. I would never say the subject of your painting is shadows. I would say you masterfully use shadows to define the subject and that the subject is the singer. And since the singer is the subject (positive space), the shadows are negative space. Anybody dizzy yet?

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

When critiquing a photo it's amazing to me how many people talk about the subject as if it were actually there. In other words, "that is the best apple I have ever seen, etc.". As opposed to "image of an apple". Photographers rather than artists are most guilty of this. And when you talk and think this way you tend to ignore the background as a pictorial element. Positive–negative, figure–ground; It all takes place within the frame; it all makes up the picture as a whole.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

Fotoartist wrote:

When critiquing a photo it's amazing to me how many people talk about the subject as if it were actually there. In other words, "that is the best apple I have ever seen, etc.". As opposed to "image of an apple". Photographers rather than artists are most guilty of this. And when you talk and think this way you tend to ignore the background as a pictorial element. Positive–negative, figure–ground; It all takes place within the frame; it all makes up the picture as a whole.

Good thought!

Darkroom317 Loc: Mishawaka, IN

Fotoartist wrote:

When critiquing a photo it's amazing to me how many people talk about the subject as if it were actually there. In other words, "that is the best apple I have ever seen, etc.". As opposed to "image of an apple". Photographers rather than artists are most guilty of this. And when you talk and think this way you tend to ignore the background as a pictorial element. Positive–negative, figure–ground; It all takes place within the frame; it all makes up the picture as a whole.

Ceci n'est pas une pipe.

https://www.renemagritte.org/the-treachery-of-images.jsp

shuck Loc: Shucktown, Mississippi

And a thought from an amature: GOOD GRIEF!

chapjohn Loc: Tigard, Oregon

Negative Space is more important in minalmilist style of art. For the most part it can be ignored if you fill the frame with the subject. Both styles or OK. Do what best tells the story you want to share.

Fotoartist Loc: Detroit, Michigan

Perfect!

Darkroom317 wrote:

Ceci n'est pas une pipe.

https://www.renemagritte.org/the-treachery-of-images.jsp