What Is Positive And Negative Space?

Positive and negative space are terms that are bound to come up in an Introduction to Drawing Class.  In making a drawing, the artist reduces the 3 - dimensional world to the 2 ~ dimensional plane of the paper.  Positive and negative space is very important in understanding this process.

Positive space refers to the shapes of objects.  Negative space refers to the shapes around objects.  It can be very helpful to develop drawing skills by focusing on the negative, rather than the positive space.  By drawing negative space, it is not possible to identify with the objects which are associated with positive space - for instance, a shoe, a house, or a person.  The artist must let go of preconceptions, because he or she does not have a ready 'symbol' for what the space around objects looks like.

It can be a difficult concept to grasp. One tool used by art teachers in teaching about positive and negative space was popularized in the book Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain. In the exercise, students copy from an upside-down drawing or photograph.  Because the picture is upside-down, students don't readily recognize the objects in the picture. They are able to give equal attention to the positive and negative shapes. The result is often a much more accurate drawing.

Just opposite ends of a magnetic field or so called poles. Imagine your a little lost electron, facing the entire vast universe alone & friendless....you got get to where others of your kind are....zoom to be negative pole. Now isn't that better!