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What is SPACE?
The area around, between, and within objects.
2 Types of Space
Positive space
The space occupied by subjects/objects (E.g. a person in a portrait)
Negative space
The empty or open space around and between subjects (E.g. the background sky between tree branches)
Using the photo on the left as an example,
Positive space = tree, fields
Negative space = sky
Reclining Figure: Festival, 1951, Bronze, Henry Moore
The hollowed-out forms, open spaces within the body are negative space effectively utilised as part of the sculpture.
What can we do with SPACE?
Create a sense of depth
Create a sense of realism
Create a sense of overcrowding when there’s more positive space
Create calm and breathing room when there’s more negative space
Momentos, 2021, Acrylic on Canvas, Jing Zhiyong
More negative space creates breathing room and sense of calm.
Flowers in Heaven, 2010, Offset Lithograph, Takashi Murakami
More positive space creates sense of energy and activity.
SPACE in Two-Dimensional Art
Composition is the way elements are arranged in an artwork.
In addition to arranging elements to create a sense of space on a two-dimensional plane, we can also arrange them to create an illusion of three-dimensional depth.
The Poet, 2020, Oil on Canvas, Jeffrey Chong Wang
In most two-dimensional artwork that conveys depth, we can see three different layers:
Foreground - the area closest to the viewer, usually larger and more detailed (person wearing the white robe)
Middleground - the space between the foreground and background (horse and trees)
Background - the part of the artwork that appears farthest away, usually less contrast and detail (mountains and sky)
How to create three-dimensional SPACE?
Overlapping/Layering - Show one object in front of another.
Vertical placement - The higher an element is placed on an artwork, the farther it appears. Due to how we visually perceive space in the real world, objects near our feet are low in our field of vision, and as we look farther out, they appear higher relative to the horizon.
Scale - Objects meant to be farther away should appear smaller.
Foreshortening - Depict an object as if it is receding into space, with the part closest to the viewer appearing largest.
Perspective - See next section.
Three types of Perspective
1. Linear Perspective
Parallel lines appear to converge as they recede into the distance, meeting at a vanishing point on the horizon line.
Important terms:
Horizon line - eye level of the viewer, where the sky meets the ground.
Vanishing point - where receding lines converge.
Orthogonal lines - diagonal lines that recede into space toward the vanishing point.
Scene from Forrest Gump (Film)
Types of Linear Perspective
One-point perspective
Lines converge on only one vanishing point. Used when viewing an object straight on, good for roads, railway tracks, hallways, and interiors.
Plaza (Piazza), 1913, Oil on Canvas, Giorgio de Chirico
Two-point perspective
Lines converge on two vanishing points. Used when viewing an object from a corner, useful for drawing buildings and geometric objects in 3D.
Paris Street; Rainy Day, 1877, Oil on Canvas, Gustave Caillebotte
Three-point perspective
Lines convered on three vanishing points. Adds vertical depth, used in dramatic angles (e.g. bird’s eye or worm’s eye view).
Spiderman Comic Cover
2. Isometric Perspective
Lines do not converge but remain parallel. Commonly used in mechanical and engineering drawings so that measurements are accurate and uniform.
Roller Coaster Tycoon (Video Game)
Monument Valley (Video Game)
3. Atmospheric/Aerial Perspective
A technique used to create depth by mimicking the way the atmosphere affects objects viewed from a distance.
Distant objects (in background) appear lighter, cooler, and less detailed.
Foreground objects appear darker, warmer, and sharper.
Helps create a natural sense of depth without using vanishing points.
Wanderer above the Sea of Fog, 1818, Oil on Canvas, Caspar David Friedrich
SPACE in Three-Dimensional Art
Installation is an art form that creates three-dimensional, immersive, and often site-specific experiences by combining various materials, objects, and media to transform a space and the viewer's perception of it.
The Weather Project, 2003, Installation, Olafur Eliasson
Infinity Mirror Rooms, 1965 - Present, Installation, Yayoi Kusama
Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, Berlin, Germany
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