Space
POSITIVE and NEGATIVE SPACE
Positive shapes occupy positive space. The area around positive shapes, the background, is negative space.
Positive. Term to describe the figure or subject.
Negative. Term to describe the background.
NOTAN: expansion of the square
ACTIVITY Notan papercut
Watch the video on Notan for Beginners. Using whatever colour paper you have at home create your own paper cut Notan.
Consider using white paper on a colored back ground [or a magazine or newspaper page] if you dont have access to colour paper or paint. You could also paint white paper with food colours or strong coffee if you only have white paper [thin outside the square! lol]
Mixed Media Negative Space drawings
OPTION A: Using one of your mixed media background experiments [or oil pastel/ink resist] refer to your continuous line drawings and sketch a part of one onto your background. Use white paint to paint in the negative space around your drawing. Use a skewer and Indian ink to add your continuous line back on top. Add details with the skewer to the positive space
OPTION B: Use a white oil pastel or wax stick to draw your continuous line drawing on paper. Use wet on wet techniques with watercolor/dye/ink [simple 2-3 colours only]. when dry, use a crosshatch method and crosshatch the negative space either side of the wax line
