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Negative Space Drawing - How to Use Negative Space

By Helen South, About.com

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Negative Space Drawing - Observing Shapes and Spaces

The correct approach to negative space drawing involves observing the shapes formed between different parts of the object, or between one edge of the object and a boundary. By drawing the background spaces or shapes between the edge of the object and the opposing edge or boundary, the positive form of the object is left 'undrawn', resulting in a correct negative space drawing. This is the reverse of normal positive space drawing, where you would be looking at the form and drawing its edges.

In the in-progress example below, note how a sketched border closes off external shapes. The stripes in the background cloth allow the observation of small shapes which add up together to reveal the silouette of the object. The most obvious example of clear negative spaces in this drawing are the arches and triangles, which are easy to observe.

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Index: Negative Space Drawing - How to Use Negative Space

  1. Negative Space Drawing - What is Negative Space?
  2. Negative Space Drawing - Observing Shapes and Spaces
  3. Applying Negative Space Drawing

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