Space is an element of art that refers to the area occupied by shapes and forms, as well as the space between objects. There are two types of space: positive space, which is occupied by objects, and negative space, which is the unused space around and between objects. An artwork can use techniques like overlapping, shading, size differences, placement, atmospheric perspective, and linear perspective to create a sense of depth and distance divided into a foreground, middle ground, and background. Positive space appears larger and brighter closer to the viewer, while negative space and objects become smaller, lighter in color, and less detailed further from the viewer.

1. Element of Art and Design
Bernard E. Richardson
Master Teacher|Art Educator ©Bernard E. Richardson| 2021
S P C E

2. SPACE
SPACE is an element of Art.
It is the area that a shape or form occupies and
also the area between and around objects.
©Bernard E. Richardson| 2021

3. There are two types of Space
1. POSITIVE SPACE 2. NEGATIVE SPACE
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Look at this Art work, where is the Positive space and where is the Negative space?

4. POSITIVE SPACE
• POSITIVE SPACE is the area or space taken up by objects in the art
work or design.
• It could be a shape, colour, lines, patterns, designs etc.
The orange stool is the positive space.
©Bernard E. Richardson| 2021

5. NEGATIVE SPACE
• Positive space is the unused area or space left around or in between the objects
in the art work or design.
• It is the empty space in an art work or design.
The orange areas around and between the stool
is the negative space.
©Bernard E. Richardson| 2021

6. Illusion of depth/distance in Space
• Space is all around us.
• It is used to create a sense of depth or distance.
• In any art work, this sense of depth or distance is divided into
a. Fore ground b. Middle ground c. Background
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7. MIDDLE GROUND: is the area in an
Art work or picture that lies
between the foreground and the
background.
BACKGROUND: is the area in an Art work
or picture that is the furthest from the
viewer. It is usually situated above/behind
the horizon line.
FORE GROUND: is the area in an
Art work or picture that is closest
to the viewer.
©Bernard E. Richardson| 2021

8. There are several techniques used by Artists to create the illusion of
depth or distance within their art work
1. Overlapping
2. Shading
3. Size
4. Placement
5. Value and focus
6. Linear Perspective
Illusion of depth/distance in Space
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9. 1. OVERLAPPING: Placing objects one in front of one another to create a sense of
depth.
Illusion of depth/distance in Space
Six ways to create the illusion of depth/distance in Space
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10. Illusion of depth/distance
2. SHADING: By adding shading and shadows to two dimensional shapes, it
makes them appear three dimensional.
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11. Illusion of depth/distance
3. SIZE: As the objects go back in space (far away) appear smaller (they should
be drawn smaller) while objects that are close up appear bigger.
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12. Illusion of depth/distance
4. PLACEMENT: Objects that are farther away are placed closer to the
horizon line.
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13. Illusion of depth/distance
5. VALUE AND FOCUS: Objects appear to become lighter in colour (slightly blue-grey) and
less clear the farther away they are than objects in the foreground.
• It is called ATMOSPHERIC PERSPECTIVE and also AERIAL PERSPECTIVE.
©Bernard E. Richardson| 2021

14. Illusion of depth/distance
6. LINEAR PERSPECTIVE: Depth can be created through the use of one
vanishing point (one point perspective).
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15. ©Bernard E. Richardson| 2021
In Summary…
• Positive space is the area that a shape of form occupies .
• Negative space is the area in between and around the objects.
• In any picture space is divided into three areas: foreground, middle ground and
background.
• To create the illusion of space:
i. Objects closer to the viewer are drawn larger while smaller objects are drawn
further away.
ii. Objects that are in the foreground are lower in the picture plane and drawn
bigger.
iii. Objects which are brighter in colour appears to be closer.

16. REFERENCES
• Ricks, Kathleen. Monochromatic Atmospheric Perspective (5th),
https://www.blendspace.com/lessons/DeXUCUX7P2y7EQ/monochromatic-
atmospheric-perspective-5th 11 November 2021
• Tropic Drawing. 2019. The Positive and Negative Spaces in Art.
https://www.tropicdrawing.com/the-positive-and-negative-spaces-in-art/11 November 2021
©Bernard E. Richardson| 2021