Intro to Drawing
Assignment 3
Positive Shape and Negative Space
In drawings there are three basic elements of a composition: the frame, the positive and the negative space. The
positive space is easiest to understand. Generally, it is the space occupied by your subject. Conversely, negative
space is the space that is not your subject.
The negative space is defined by the edges of the positive space and the frame or border (our third element). So, part
of our negative space is bounded by the frame and another part is bounded by the positive space. Sometimes the
negative space is completely bounded by the positive space. What it important also to note is that the negative space
also defines our subject.
Henre de Toulouse-Lautrec
Le Jockey
Drawing 1/Positive space - Create a drawing by using the white of the paper for the negative space and a black
marker for the positive shape. Use still life object/objects for this part of the assignment. Step one start with a
gesture drawing then a contour line to divide the positive shape from negative space. Finish by darkening the
positive shape with black marker. Draw large and fill the page let part of the drawing go off the edges of the paper.
See examples below.
Drawing 2/Negative space- A common aids to artists is a viewfinder. Cut a 2” x 3” rectangle opening in a piece of
cardboard or stiff paper. By looking at the scene through a viewfinder, with one eye closed, you are able to scan
across an infinite variety of picture possibilities without being over whelmed. Look at an object placed in a number
of positions through the viewer. Pick one position and do a drawing of the negative space. Look for the areas left
between the edges of the rectangle and the contours of the object. Also draw the shapes and spaces you see between
the rungs, legs, bars and other parts. Create one drawing using this method. Draw large and fill the page let part of
the drawing go off the edge of the paper. See examples below.
Chair in viewfinder with one
edge going off pitcher plane
Negative space drawing of plant
Negative space drawing of
printing press