Exploring Positive & Negative Space in Art

Objective:

Students will be able to create a balanced drawing using positive and negative space by blending and shading techniques with pencil or charcoal.

Warm Up:

1. Spend 10 minutes drawing simple shapes (circles, squares, triangles) using only outlines.

2. Now, try filling in some shapes with charcoal. How does it change the perception of the shape?

3. In your sketchbook, draw a simple tree using only outlines.

4. Reflect: How might you use positive and negative space to enhance your drawing?

Key Vocabulary:

• Positive Space: The area in a work of art that is the subject or focus, such as the objects depicted.

• Negative Space: The background or empty spaces around and between the subject(s) in an artwork.

• Blending: A technique used to smoothly transition between colors or shades.

• Shading: The use of varying degrees of darkness to give the illusion of depth or volume.

Assignment Overview:

Main Concept: Positive & Negative/Balance
Technique: Blending/Shading
Medium: Pencil/Charcoal
Subject: Your name & A Tree
Time Permitted: One Week

To complete this assignment, use the provided images and tutorials on our class site: www.artschoool.ca along with the student’s workbook: The Artist’s Compass: Heart, Mind, Eyes, & Hands.

Historical Link:

A famous artwork that explores similar concepts is "The Tree of Life" by Gustav Klimt. You can view examples of his work here.

Cultural Link:

Many cultures incorporate trees into their art, such as Native American tribes who depict trees symbolically. Explore examples of their work here.

Steps to Complete the Assignment:

1. Research: Visit www.artschoool.ca to access images and tutorials. Use your workbook, The Artist’s Compass: Heart, Mind, Eyes, & Hands, for guidance.

2. Sketch Your Tree: Start with a light pencil sketch of a tree, ensuring to consider both the positive space (the tree itself) and the negative space (the areas around it).

3. Add Your Name: Integrate your name into the composition in a way that complements the tree.

4. Apply Charcoal: Use charcoal to fill in your tree and your name.  Unlike shading technique, only color your shapes in a flat charcoal.

5. Review: Use the provided rubric to self-assess your work. Make adjustments based on the criteria.

6. Finalize: Complete your drawing, ensuring that it is neat and well-presented.

7. Submit: Turn in your artwork by the end of the week.

Questions:

1. What techniques did you find most helpful in creating depth in your artwork?

2. How did considering both positive and negative space affect your composition?

3. What challenges did you face while blending and shading?

Writing Prompt:

Reflect on your experience creating this artwork. Discuss how you used positive and negative space and how it influenced the overall balance of your piece.

Assessment

• Composition, Design, & Layout: 35%

• Art Skills & Techniques: 35%

• Creativity & Originality: 20%

• Presentation, Neatness & Time Management: 10%

Standards Covered:

• California Art Standards: Visual Art Standard 2.0 - Creating, Performing, and Participating in the Arts.

• California ELD Standards: ELD.PII.12.1 - Collaborative discussions on topics related to the arts.